"Witness Seven."
I repeated the words silently as I moved away from the boardroom.
A chair scraped behind me.
I quickened my pace before the door opened.
By the time I reached the drawing room, the lights had been lowered, and the long dining table had been set for two.
Shadric stood beside it, removing his cufflinks.
I stopped upon sighting him.
"What is this?"
"Dinner."
"I can see that."
"You missed lunch."
"How would you know?"
"You left the site with the same coffee Martin gave you."
I glanced at the covered dishes.
"You arranged this?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
His hand paused over his cuff.
"Must everything have a hidden purpose?"
"In this house?"
"Avalan."
"Does Witness Seven?"
The stillness in him answered before his mouth did.
"You were listening."
"The door was open."
