Denise took another step back before she realized she was doing it.
Not away from Liam exactly—
but away from whatever that feeling was inside her chest.
It wasn’t pain.
It wasn’t fear.
It was recognition trying to become something louder than her thoughts.
“I don’t like this,” she said quietly.
Liam didn’t move closer this time.
He stayed where he was, like he was deliberately refusing to overwhelm her space.
“I know,” he said.
That simple agreement made her pause.
Below, the forest line shifted again.
The perimeter tightening.
Not rushing anymore.
Waiting.
Like something had already been scheduled.
Denise swallowed. “If you know what they’re doing, why are you letting them stay out there?”
Liam’s gaze flicked briefly toward the courtyard.
“Because they’re not here to wi
