The temple had settled into its deepest quiet. Most of the night watch had rotated. The eastern signal board sat dark, its markers unlit. Behind it, the records alcove was little more than a narrow stone niche lined with old ledgers and a single low bench.
No windows. The only light came from a small oil lamp Aiden had brought in when he slipped away after the change of posts.
Lira found him there.
She closed the door panel behind her and stood for a moment, listening to the corridor outside. Nothing. She stepped closer. Her hair was still tied back from the watch, the same practical knot she always used.
She looked at him the way she had in the observation room—curious, direct, no longer half-afraid of what she wanted.
"You left early," she said.
"I didn't want to get caught again."
