In response to Liam greeting them, the two men finally acknowledged him.
It was nothing dramatic.
Mikhail gave a short nod. Sergei followed a second later, slower, almost lazy. No words. No warmth. Just enough recognition to say they heard him.
Liam did not push it.
He had learned long ago that forcing respect never worked. People either gave it freely or learned to give it the hard way. For now, he simply looked past them and turned his attention back to Irina.
He waited.
Irina noticed immediately. She always did. Liam did not fidget, did not interrupt. He just stood there, relaxed, patient, like a man who knew the next piece of information would come whether he demanded it or not.
She nodded slightly and turned to the woman standing a little apart from the rest.
"Meet Mary," Irina said. "She's a witch."
The word landed softly, but it still caught Liam's attention.
A witch.
His brow lifted before he could stop it.
