THE STAIR below the empty chair was too clean.
Caleb had expected rust.
The center gave him white stone, pale railings, and quiet lights under each step. It wanted descent to feel ceremonial.
"Ceremony is bait," Tali said.
Caleb looked back at her.
"You read my face now?"
"Your shoulders."
"Helpful."
"Obvious."
Kikaru went first with his blade low, but he took only two steps and stopped before the rail. "Touching the rail feels like signing something."
Soma checked his console. "Confirming. Rail has contact mesh."
Kikaru lifted his hand away. "I dislike polite murder."
Sefa held the wall without touching it. His outline threw green light across the white stair.
"The building prefers forms."
Rina stayed beside him. "Then we stay rude."
Sam came down behind Caleb with the Record held against his chest. The book had warmed again. Caleb could feel it through the air, a little living weather beside him.
At the safe house, Hiro's line crackled.
