Across the table, the ambassador remained silent, his eyes fixed on the map as if reconsidering every line. He let his hand drift above the map, poised and still, but his fingers began to tighten, knuckles paling slightly. The motion was small, refined, but Auri caught it—like a thread pulling too tightly.
"Gentlemen," Ambassador Jiang said, finally raising his eyes, a polite smile painted on his lips. "If you could give us a moment, I need to speak with Mr. Auri in private."
Wrye glanced between them, his brows lifting, but he didn't argue. He stepped back with a lazy shrug. "Don't break the tent."
Darius lingered a second longer. His gaze swept over to the ambassador, unmistakably wary, then he shifted his eyes to Auri. He held the look for a moment, as if to say 'I'll be right outside' before turning to follow Wrye out, the tent flap rustling shut behind him.
The silence that followed was heavy.
