The sun had begun its slow descent by the time Azrail's group left the busier market streets and moved toward one of Scarlet Peak City's more refined districts. Here, the noise dimmed slightly, replaced by the clink of cups in upscale tea houses and the low murmur of conversations in private pavilions.
Buildings rose a little taller, their facades decorated with carved flame motifs and polished stone. Lanterns shaped as lotus flames hung from eaves, already lit with soft, flickering light even though true night had yet to fall.
"This city knows how to pretend it's richer than it is," Raena observed, trailing her fingers along a stone railing as they walked. "Lots of effort in appearances, less in foundations."
"You can smell the debt," Valencia added mildly. "Several of these businesses are under subtle pressure from the Burning Sky family. They've dressed extortion up as 'protection fees' and 'exclusive Fire Qi supply rights'."
Azrail glanced at her. "You saw the contracts?"
