They descended into Starforge.
The air carried a faint metallic sweetness. Furnace-glow ran through channels in the streets like veins, pulsing softly beneath plates of black stone.
Bridges arced between hammerhead towers. Chains of rune-lamps hung like constellations pinned to metal. Below, courtyards opened and closed with shifting formations.
Lilith stood at the forward edge of the ship's ramp.
"Stay close," she said, then added with a smirk, "I do not want anyone to get brave enough to bother you."
They moved through the heart of the cartel. Starforge members passed them with brisk purpose. No one stared too long, but Lucien felt the quick flicks of attention when they noticed Lilith escorting strangers.
Lilith did not slow.
She brought them deeper, past a gate where the defensive arrays became gentler and the architecture softened. Less fortress. More residence.
Only then did Lucien lower his voice to Kaia.
