"You lead," Dmitri gestured to Johannes. "We follow at distance. Any sudden moves—don't blame us for what happens next."
Johannes nodded once. No argument.
Elias was his main concern. Making an enemy out of a possible ally was not.
They moved through back streets and service alleys, avoiding open roads and areas where the civilians might encounter them.
Dmitri counted the steps without meaning to do so. Corners, blind angles. Fallback routes.
Countless scenarios formed in his mind, yet despite it all, his face remained neutral.
Johannes didn't rush, but they didn't linger either. Then, after a few more turns, they stopped.
The building looked unremarkable—one that would assume it was abandoned due to wreckage and old age.
Dmitri raised a hand, "Doors."
Johannes signaled to Evelyn and Marcus. One by one, the shutters rolled back. No sudden noises awaited, and no ambush either.
Dmitri waited for a five more seconds. Then another two.
