---
"You are needed in the breakfast hall," Elena said.
Sekhmet raised one brow. "That serious?"
Elena's lips tightened. "Young Miss Lily arrived early."
Sekhmet paused for half a breath.
"Alone?"
"With two mansion guards outside the gate," Elena replied. "And a face that says she either wants to smile at you or stab someone."
Sekhmet exhaled slowly. "That sounds normal."
Elena did not laugh. "There is more."
Sekhmet looked at her.
"She brought pastries," Elena said, as if reporting a military movement. "For you."
That made him blink once.
Lily rarely did anything by half. If she came with pastries, then she had a purpose.
Sekhmet nodded. "I'm coming."
He walked through the corridor with Elena behind him. The servants they passed lowered their heads and stepped aside. Dawn House was still waking, but the air inside the mansion carried more energy than usual.
Lily's presence did that. She moved through places like color thrown over grey cloth.
