Vol guided John deeper into the chamber.
The room was luxuriously furnished with elegant wooden shelves, fragrant herbs in decorative jars, and a wide, soft silken sofa laid with spirit beast hide cushions.
A low tea table rested in front of it, already set with cups of clear jade.
"Have a seat," she said with a pleasant smile, gesturing toward the couch as she walked toward a side cabinet.
Her hips swayed gently with every step, and her voice held that same teasing, confident rhythm.
John sat down cautiously, placing his hands on his knees as he kept his gaze level.
He wasn't sure if she was always like this or if she was deliberately trying to test him.
Either way, it was working.
Vol busied herself with a small, jade-crystal kettle, filled it with glowing blue spirit water, and gently heated it with a snap of her fingers.
A soft flame flickered into existence at her fingertips, her control elegant and practiced.
