---
Mira was there first, standing straight but with her hands held tighter than usual. Auri stood near her, shoulders set, eyes sharp, trying to look composed and failing just enough to prove she was worried.
The twins were beside them, silent in that way only twins could be when both were thinking the same thought and neither wanted to say it first.
Behind them stood the maids, three women who were clearly trying to decide whether to bow, panic, or start cleaning the blood off everything before anyone officially asked.
Then they saw Sekhmet.
Then Elena.
Then the two strange women walked like elegant disasters.
Then Lady Seraphiel.
Confusion moved across the group in a wave.
Mira blinked first. Auri blinked second. One of the maids made the tiny sound people made when they saw something so above their pay grade that even screaming felt unprofessional.
Elena stepped forward before the questions could burst all at once.
