The sound of heavy boots echoed against the marble floor, followed by the sharp crack of rifles striking the ground in salute. The announcement rang through the estate like a cold knife:

"El-Patricio has arrived."

Mia’s hand instinctively brushed against Claus’s arm, her eyes wide with unease. Claus gave her a single look, firm and deliberate. Without words, they both understood. They had to split.

“Stay out of sight,” Claus muttered under his breath. “If anything happens, you know ...