Denise didn’t respond.
Not immediately.
Because for a brief moment, she thought she had heard something.
Not from outside.
Not from Liam.
Somewhere deeper than both.
A name.
Not spoken.
known.
Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
“That’s not happening,” she said quietly, more to herself than to him.
Liam didn’t move.
He was watching her the way someone watches a flame that’s starting to lean in the wind.
Below, the courtyard had gone quieter again.
Not empty.
Just… focused.
The forest creature remained at the edge of the trees, no longer advancing.
Waiting like it had already done what it came to do.
Denise exhaled slowly. “I’m still me,” she said, firmer now. “Whatever you think is happening, I’m still me.”
Liam’s voice came gently, but not comforting.
“I know
