Ethan slid the adjoining door shut and stepped back into the main executive suite. Mary and Louisa were sitting at the polished mahogany table, eating with quiet, hesitant movements. The rich, savory aroma of the spiritual beast poultry had color returning to their pale cheeks, but their eyes still carried the fragile darting of prey that hadn't fully processed escaping the trap.
The moment Ethan crossed the threshold, Mary quickly set her wooden chopsticks down. She reached for a smaller silver platter in the center of the table, which held the choice, thick cuts of roasted breast and thigh meat.
"We... we saved the best portions for you, Ethan," Mary said softly, her voice carrying a deep layer of reverent, maternal gratitude. "You have been moving all day, fighting for us, carrying us... Please, you must eat to replenish your strength."
