Birthday preparations

The evening light slanted across the room where Ethan and Ayisha sat, its walls bearing the faint smell of cigarette smoke and whiskey. A single lamp flickered, throwing sharp angles across Ethan’s face as he leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. His eyes were calculating, cold…fixed on Ayisha, who sat opposite him with her arms folded, watching him like a hawk.

He didn’t waste time. “Get ready,” Ethan said, his tone clipped and decisive. “Ares is ...