---
Bat Bat flew above them in silence at first. Actual silence. It was a miracle. Then after three full streets she whispered, "I feel I should be praised for my discipline."
Vela answered without looking up, "If you keep speaking, the praise will be delayed."
Bat Bat shut up again.
They crossed three roofs, dropped to a shadowed side lane, and moved beneath a broken hanging sign that no longer advertised what the building had once honestly been. The district below was quiet in the wrong way. Not asleep. Listening.
Lily stopped at the edge of the final roof before the target lane.
Sekhmet came beside her.
She pointed.
"There."
