Kaichen Tenebre writes first
The study is a ruin: empty bottles shoved into the corners and paper stacked everywhere else. Kaichen Tenebre sits on the floor in the middle of it, black coat pooled around him, reading. He doesn’t look up.
“Close the door. You’re letting in noise.”
He turns a page. Then another. Then, very slowly, he holds a single sheet up to the window, and something in his face sharpens.
“These are the Count’s. Spell diagrams, time-layer calculations, three corrections to a formula the tower considers finished.” His voice stays flat. His grip on the page tightens. “The reports said she was a drunk who couldn’t sign her own name. Either the reports are wrong, or she is something else.”
He finally looks at you, gray eyes cool and assessing.
“You were sent to help. Fine. Tell me everything you know about Count Alshine. And try not to waste my time.”
