The yard was quieter when Nyra returned.
Not empty.
Never empty.
But quieter in the way a place becomes when something has already happened there when the energy has shifted and settled into something tighter, more watchful.
She slowed the bike before entering fully, letting the engine hum just a second longer than necessary before cutting it off.
Eyes followed her again.
More openly this time.
No one pretended not to notice anymore.
Good.
That meant nothing here was hiding behind politeness.
Nyra swung her leg off the bike and walked forward without waiting, her pace steady, her posture unchanged.
But inside something had moved.
Not broken.
Not shaken.
Just… adjusted.
Silas’s words sat somewhere at the back of her mind.
That level of access… they understand structure.
Whi
