Rama hadn't slept in his own bed for four days. Instead, he'd been camping in a conference room at Eternal Bond headquarters—close enough to respond if Dragon's Gate attacked, far enough from Sekar's office to avoid confrontation she clearly didn't want.
The relationship fracture was complete. She communicated through Sri now. Professional messages only. No personal contact. No acknowledgment he existed beyond operational necessity.
"Guild Master requests updated Herald preparation timeline," Sri would say, avoiding eye contact.
"Tell Guild Master timeline is on schedule. Champions ready. Defenses positioned. Evacuation protocols finalized."
"She also wants to know when secret surveillance will be removed from headquarters perimeter."
"Tell her never. Guards remain until threat is neutralized."
Sri would leave uncomfortably. Neither party was making this easy on intermediaries.
