The black-bordered image remained on Martin's phone.
[Restricted Recovery Request]
[Target: One living Sairren route-keeper.]
[Claim Basis: Ancestral right.]
[Buyer Identity: Broker Protected.]
Alexandra was still resting against his chest. Neither of them spoke.
The rain tapped against the studio window, and somewhere outside, a car rolled through the wet street below. A few seconds ago, the evening had felt small in the best possible way. Now Martin could almost hear the dark market again. Chains against stone. Contract seals opening beneath his boots. Black hands closing around him while the Sairren route collapsed.
His eyes moved toward the virtual reality headset across the room, and Alexandra noticed immediately. "You want to log in."
"I want to know whether they're already in danger."
"So do I." She sat up but stayed beside him. "Rias sent us evidence, not an alarm. If Mireva needs us right now, she'll say so."
