---
Dawn House received them in the pale edge of morning, but Sekhmet did not stay in the courtyard long enough for the house to gather around him.
He gave only the necessary orders.
The goods taken from Iron House were to remain sealed inside the Void Land until he gave further instruction. No one was to disturb the ledgers. No one was to touch the special marked items. Elena could handle the surface pressure of the house. Mira could sleep if she was capable of it, or work if she was not. The twins would rest in turns. Bat Bat was told, with unusual firmness, that if she tried to wake the house just to explain how important she had been, he would personally hand her to Elena for sunrise drills.
Bat Bat had looked at him with wounded majesty and said, "I see that truth is once again punished."
He left before she could continue. He went straight to his room.
