Lilith doesn’t wait long.
She doesn’t broadcast.
She doesn’t hijack channels.
She doesn’t appear in dream.
She knocks.
Three soft taps on the outer compound gate at twilight.
No army.
No camp.
No ritual.
Just her.
Alone.
Morgan freezes when the perimeter sensor reads her signature.
“She’s not masking.”
Kade is already moving.
“I’m going.”
“No,” I say.
“I’m not letting you face her alone.”
“You won’t.”
I meet his eyes.
“But she didn’t come to fight.”
He studies me carefully.
“You trust her?”
“No.”
“Then why—”
“Because she’s not escalating.”
Silence.
“She’s recalibrating.”
Morgan nods slowly.
“She wants something.”
Yes.
And it isn’t blood.
We meet her in the outer courtyard.
Wards active.
Guards positioned discreetly.
Lilith stands in moonlight, silver hair
