“I asked for five minutes. Alone."
Antonio's voice was calm, but firm. His eyes, dark and unreadable, stayed on Leonardo.
Leonardo smirked. “You'll get three."
“I said five."
The two men stared at each other like chessmasters at opening move. Aniya stood between them, expression unreadable.
Leonardo leaned close to her. “Yell if he tries anything."
She didn't answer.
Leonardo left, door clicking shut behind him.
Antonio turned to her slowly. “Aniya."
She didn't respond immediately, choosing instead to walk the length of the chapel. Candles flickered beside stained glass. The air smelled of wax, rain, and something older—something that had survived silence.
“You chose this place?" she asked.
“I asked for neutral ground."
“This place isn't neutral. It's sacred."
“Exactly."
She
