They descended the stairs and made their way toward the side entrance, passing through a quieter section of the building where several servants were preparing the evening's arrangements.
The Black Orchid had become considerably livelier since Ray's return, with music drifting faintly from one of the downstairs halls, accompanied by the occasional burst of laughter and the soft clinking of glasses.
A pair of elegantly dressed women were speaking with one of the attendants near the entrance, and one of them glanced toward Ray as he passed.
Her gaze briefly lingered on his collar before returning to her conversation, although Ray paid her little attention as he followed Lira into the courtyard.
Outside, the evening air was noticeably cooler than it had been earlier that afternoon, and a gentle breeze moved through the courtyard, carrying the faint scents of flowering shrubs and freshly watered stone.
