Victoria’s foot shifted forward.
Barely.
Not enough to be called a step.
But enough for the chamber to react instantly.
The seal beneath them flared like it had been waiting for permission that had finally been implied.
Selene grabbed her arm so hard it hurt. “Victoria. Don’t. Move.”
Her voice cracked slightly at the end.
Not fear alone.
Alarm.
Because whatever was happening wasn’t just magical instability anymore—it was agreement forming between two things that should never meet.
Luca stepped in front of Victoria immediately, blocking her line of sight to the rising eye beneath the seal.
“Stop,” he said quietly.
But his voice was different now.
Less commanding.
More… controlled urgency.
Victoria blinked slowly. “It’s not hurting me.”
Selene snapped, “That is not the defini
