C45 Beat Me to Disaster

The sound of heavy boots echoed against the marble floor, followed by the sharp crack of rifles striking the ground in salute. The announcement rang through the estate like a cold knife:

"El-Patricio has arrived."

Mia’s hand instinctively brushed against Claus’s arm, her eyes wide with unease. Claus gave her a single look, firm and deliberate. Without words, they both understood