Terms of Engagement

Lenora stayed still at the window.

The figure at the gate didn't move again after knocking. They stood with their hands visible, waiting, the posture of someone who had made a calculated choice about how to be perceived before taking a single further step.

"That's not how Vladimir's people moved two nights ago," Katya said quietly beside her.

"No," Lenora said.

"This is an announcement," Katya sai