Night fell and the soft spot stayed quiet but I could not stop watching it.
I stood with Cassian at the edge. "It has been still for hours. Do you trust it?"
He kept his eyes on the ground. "Not fully. Mira and Thorne take the next turn soon. We should call them."
I turned toward the house. "Mira. Thorne. Your watch."
They came out quick. Mira asked, "Any change since we left?"
"None," I said. "Still cool. Still flat. Talk while you walk it. Every few steps."
Thorne nodded. "We will. Kai is with the girls. They are drawing again. Lumen, you and Cassian rest inside?"
Cassian answered, "Short rest. Then we come back. Call loud if anything shifts."
Mira looked at the spot. "I will. Mom, the quiet is heavy again. My head keeps filling with what ifs."
I put a hand on her shoulder. "Say
