367 - From the ashes: Price to pay

Daemon didn't turn around despite having his name called. It was Ryan, who was beside the empty seat at the head of the table, who smiled at Lumian, and pointed at the seat at the bottom of the table:

"Mr Softsnow, please have a seat first, and wait for a moment."

Ryan's smile didn't bring Lumian any joy. If anything, it irked him, while inwardly, it made his heart sink further. He glanced at the back turned to him, and went to sit down, to wait like he had been asked to, like a convict awaiting judgement.

The wait actually made him calmer than the trip to the hotel had made him. It actually made his situation really settle down in his mind, bringing only calm, the only response when hope, even illusory, found no seat, after the mind-numbing despair.