The whisper changed tactics.
It no longer tried to divide the crowd. It targeted the leaders. One by one. Quietly. The Hearth held the community together, but the people at the center began to c***k.
Lyra noticed it first in Charles. He became short-tempered, dismissive. When she asked about the thin place readings, he snapped.
"I've told you three times. The fold is stable. What more do you want?"
"I want you to look at me when you speak."
He looked up. His eyes were red-rimmed, tired.
"I'm sorry. I haven't been sleeping."
"The whisper?"
"I don't know. Maybe. Or maybe I'm just tired of being afraid."
---
Solace found her in the garden.
"Charles is struggling."
"Everyone is struggling."
"He's blaming you. Not out loud. In his head. The whisper is feeding him doubts about your
