"Now," Yizhen directed, already in motion.
Deming yanked the Jackal forward by the collar and wrist of his robes.
Longzi cleared the threshold first, shoulder to the jamb, his eyes cutting the corridor. Yaozu slid into the rear angle, forearm still owning the hinge of bone that made the Jackal's hand polite.
Shadow padded beside the procession like a dark tide.
Mingyu lingered one breath at the bedside. Xinying's fingers caught his wrist before he could try and climb back in. "Go," she said softly, "I'm fine. I know you need to see this finished with your own two eyes."
He bent down, brushing her temple once with his mouth, and gave the smallest nod. "Lock the outer screen," he instructed Yaozu without raising his voice.
Yaozu flicked two fingers; Longzi pushed the panel with a heel, quiet as a thought. The latch found its home with a soft click. Mingyu straightened his back and fell in behind Deming.
