When Charmeine began leading him out of the Consequence Courts, Azrail noticed something subtle had changed in the way they walked. Before, Charmeine walked ahead with a neutral pace, mechanical precision, and emotionless direction.
Now she walked half a step closer. Not touching. Not protective. But closer. It wasn't intimacy—it was positioning. She was now walking as a shield. Not to protect him. But to manage the perception of the others. Azrail recognised it immediately.
This was a more dangerous room she was guiding him into. He could feel it, and before he could ask questions, they were whisked away. The next moment, Azrail knew he was in a hall—a vast, majestic hall. This hall looked almost casual—almost like a lounge.
Curved seating areas, divans, suspended tables held aloft by floating runes.
