Lilia came back from the kitchen with a glass of water in her trembling hands. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. She offered it to Lucian with a small bow, trying her best not to show how nervous she was.
Lucian took the glass as if accepting an offering at a royal court, drank it without hesitation— Not even a hint of worry about poison or anything else— and passed it back to her with a nod.
Then his hand slipped under his coat.
Lilia froze.
Lyra shifted her stance and prepared to strike. Her entire body leaned forward, ready to tear through him if he so much as breathed wrong.
But Lucian didn't pull a weapon.
He pulled out a card.
A card that looked nothing like anything sold on the market.
