The silence didn’t feel empty anymore.
It felt… aware.
Isabella Vicks stood still, her hand still hovering where the light had been. But the energy that once surged violently through the room had withdrawn—retracted like something that had found what it was looking for.
Or… accepted something new.
Damien Hayes watched her closely.
Too closely.
“Isabella…”
She didn’t answer.
Not immediately.
Her breathing was steady—but something about her stillness wasn’t natural.
Not tense.
Not afraid.
Controlled.
Different.
The Change
When she finally turned to face him, Damien felt it instantly.
Not just in her expression—
But in the way she looked at him.
Like she was seeing more than before.
Not just him—
But everything.
“I’m okay,” she said softly.
The words were right.
Her voi
