Christian stood absolutely still as Daisy finished recounting what had happened—the ward creation, the shadow attack, and most significantly, Katie's mysterious light power. His face betrayed nothing, but frost spread beneath his boots in intricate crystalline patterns that belied his outward calm.
"And the little one?" he asked, gaze shifting to Katie's sleeping form still cradled in Rosie's protective arms. "She's physically unharmed?"
Eleanor nodded. "Exhausted, but stable. The power she channeled was... substantial."
"Understatement of the century," Daisy muttered. She still hadn't moved from Christian's side, as if afraid he might vanish if she broke physical contact. "It was like watching a nuclear reactor in the body of a six-year-old."
Christian approached the sleeping child sl
