Inara adjusted her robe, tucked a stray lock of hair back into place and checked her makeup in the mirror across from her bedroom door before stepping into the door's sensor zone. It opened automatically, silently, and she stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked Jerrode's large gathering room.

One of Jerrode's security men, dressed in his unobtrusive, unmarked livery, was coming up the stairs at the far end of the balcony with quick, light steps. She paused, watching him, and wondered why he seemed to be in such a rush.

He covered the distance from the steps to where she stood in two heartbeats, and stopped. "Miss Serra, Mr. Eusabian has requested that you please remain in your room --"

"Why?" Inara said, but said no more when the guard's head cocked intently in the direction of the balcony rail. He caught her gaze and raised a hand, imploring her wordlessly to return to her room.

Inara listened, too, hearing Jerrode's voice, and other male voices that she did not recognize. Before she could move, they came into view below: Jerrode, and two men in plain charcoal suits with close-cropped hair.

"Certainly I will let you know if anything comes to my attention, gentlemen," Jerrode said smoothly.

"I hope you will," said one of the other men. His arms swung slightly as he walked, and Inara caught a glimpse of blue. Her mouth fell open, but she did not gasp. Instead, she took a slow step backward. Behind her, the door opened soundlessly again. The guard stepped between her and the men below, who were still walking toward the door. They passed into the foyer, where she could not have seen them anyway, but she could still catch a word or two as she backed into her bedroom once again, the guard pacing her.

She backed all the way into the room and sat down heavily on the bed. The guard took up station by the door. What are they doing here? she wondered. Why were Blue Sun's hellhounds on Nassau Point, in Jerrode's home? Well, maybe it had nothing to do with her,