Alaric remained standing for a moment longer, watching the closed doors. Then he moved back to the table and settled into his chair.
The leather creaked softly beneath his weight as he leaned back, fingers steepling beneath his chin.
Then his lips curved into a smirk.
"Sari."
The name fell into the empty hall.
The shadows in the corner shifted and a cloaked figure stood beside his chair, as if she'd always been there.
Sari pulled back her hood.
Alaric reached inside his coat and withdrew a folded paper. He held it out without looking at her, his gaze still fixed on the empty doorway where Valtair had departed.
She took it, unfolding the document.
Her eyes scanned the text. Once. Twice.
Then her lips curved into a smile, understanding finally dawning across her features.
"Ah. That's what you've been doing."
Alaric's smirk widened slightly.
He reached into his coat again and withdrew a heavy pouch, the down payments Valtair had provided.
