Chapter 74 Ink And Blood

• The villa's great hall was warmer than Aleksander had imagined. A large stone fireplace burned against the far wall, yellow lamps hung low over old velvet sofas, and on the long wooden table in the middle of the room, a porcelain teapot gave off a thin trail of steam. Everything looked like a friendly family vacation home, and that was exactly what made the hair on his neck stand up.
• "Mr. Aleksander William." Sekar rose from a chair at the end of the table, wearing the same cream suit she had worn when she visited Rania. She smiled as if welcoming an old guest. "Please, sit. Tea?"
• "Where is Rania?"