The elders drifted away toward Orion’s table, leaving the children to their own devices, the murmurs of the party fading into a distant hum. Anthony and Guinevere exchanged a brief glance, the space around them suddenly charged with unspoken words.

“I work with Hawk actually, I’m one of the directors,” Adam said smoothly, sinking into the seat opposite Orion. His tone was casual, yet sharp, as if testing the waters.

“Really? What a small world,” Orion replied, a polite smile masking the calculation in his eyes. “INK, what do you make of it?”

Ink’s lips curved into a seemingly cheerful grin, yet the glint in his eyes was sharp, amused,...