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Mihos began walking toward the guest wing Dickoff had prepared, then stopped halfway and added, with deliberate carelessness, "And make sure the man we send understands this. He is not representing kindness. He is carrying the authority of Dawn House. I want to see what Sekhmet shows when he thinks he is looking at family."
That line lingered after he left the room.
Dickoff remained seated for several seconds after the young heir was gone, staring at the doorway like a man who had survived a private storm only to realize tomorrow's weather had been arranged by the same sky.
Across from him, the untouched tea had gone cold.
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A few hours later… The next morning arrived too gently for what it carried.
