No one spoke.
Not immediately.
The air felt heavier than before.
But this time—
It wasn’t just tension.
It was realization.
Lyra stood still.
Her breathing uneven.
Her mind struggling to catch up.
“What… was that?” she asked again.
Her voice sounded smaller now.
Because for the first time—
She wasn’t just confused.
She was afraid.
Kael didn’t answer right away.
He was watching her.
Carefully.
Studying every detail.
“That wasn’t a normal shift,” he said finally.
Lyra let out a weak breath.
“I figured that much.”
Daniel stepped forward.
Closer than before.
“Lyra, it doesn’t mean anything yet,” he said quickly.
Kael’s gaze flicked to him.
“It means everything,” he said.
The tension returned instantly.
Lyra closed her eyes briefly.
“Stop,” she said softly.
Both men
