(Caius)
I stopped outside her door and stood there for a moment before raising my hand to knock.
Vorak had been quiet since Sera left my office but not relaxed. He remained attentive in the particular way he got when something important was unfolding and he wanted to be present for every part of it. Isla knew now and whatever Sera had told her would be sitting in her in layers, some of it landing clearly and some of it still finding its level. I understood that. Twenty years built on a particular understanding of yourself did not shift in a single conversation no matter how carefully that conversation was handled.
I knocked three times and said my name and waited.
There was no movement at first. Then I heard something small from inside the room, the quiet sound of something being set a
