The leader jerked his chin. Agreement.
They lifted Zubair first.
Two at the shoulders. One at the legs.
Weight turned into geometry and moved through the door.
The man had arranged rooms for siege. Wide paths. Clear lines. He had not arranged them to fight his own floors.
Elias was next. He was the lightest. Head angled so the hood would not catch on the door frame. Hands tucked in. Feet cleared. Down the hall. Down the stairs. Soft boots on wood. No talk.
Lachlan followed with a grunt from the soldier at his feet. Strength clings even when a body is empty of command. They moved him with care like men who respected mass because they had had it hit them before.
Alexei was the last of the four. A laugh escaped the soldier at his shoulders when the dead weight fooled him with a quick drop. He caught it and swore once under his breath. Noah didn't smile.
