The air tightened again.
But this time—
it wasn’t the figure alone.
Something else was shifting.
Kael felt it first.
Her movements slowed—just slightly.
Not from weakness.
From awareness.
“…That’s new,” she muttered.
Emily watched her closely. “What is?”
Kael didn’t answer immediately.
Her eyes narrowed.
“…It’s learning faster.”
Theodore’s gaze sharpened.
“Yes.”
The figure’s presence intensified.
The distortions returned.
But now—
they came with variation.
Unpredictable.
Emily’s stomach dropped.
“…Great,” she said. “So it’s getting smarter.”
Kael exhaled slowly.
“Not just smarter.”
A pause.
“Familiar.”
Emily frowned. “…Familiar how?”
Kael didn’t answer.
Instead—
she moved.
But this time—
she hesitated.
Just a fraction.
And the figure responded instantly.
A
