Lisa’s phone rang just as they stepped outside.

“I’ll be right back,” she said, glancing at the screen. “My dad’s calling.”

She walked off a short distance, her tone sharp and anxious as she answered the call, leaving Meret and Xavier standing by the steps of the palace. The air was calm, though tension hummed faintly between them.

Xavier’s gaze shifted toward the direction Bruce had gone, as if checking whether he was out of sight. Then his eyes flicked back to Lisa, who seemed ...