---
Shadeclaw stood where the passage narrowed, a door guard if he needed to be. Silvershadow ranged the mouth of the hall, eyes on both ends. No one else.
Yavri came with her helmet tucked under her arm. She had already unbuckled her sword and handed it to one of the drones on the ledge. Now she offered Kai the short knife she hid under her waist, hilt first. He did not take it. He pointed to the floor. She set it down without comment.
"This is far enough," Kai said.
"Agreed," Yavri said. Her voice was steady — not hard, not soft. "Speak your terms."
