The mansion breathed stillness.
It always had the weight of silence inside, but tonight it felt heavier,like the house itself was waiting for someone to speak first.
Caelen sat alone in the library, firelight flickering against the spines of ancient books. His fingers hovered over the worn leather of one, though he hadn't turned a page in hours. His thoughts refused to settle.
"She was looking at you," Cassian finally said, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed. "Like she knew you."
Caelen didn't respond.
"She chased us," Theo added from behind him, plopping dramatically onto a velvet chair. "Out the damn door. Looked like she was about to throw herself in front of the car."
Alec remained silent, leaning on the far wall, his gaze locked on Caelen.
Caelen's voice came slow, cold. "She is not someone we should be near."
"She's human," Alec replied. "And persistent. You're shaken."
"I don't shake."
Theo snorted. "Right. That's why you bolted like a ghost saw you."
Caelen stood, pacing toward the tall window. Rain dotted the glass like tiny warnings. "I felt… something. Before we arrived. A pull somewhat.Irritation. Noise in my magic."
"That's not normal," Alec said.
"Exactly."
"She could be part of something," Cassian offered. "A spell? A trap? Maybe she's a bait."
"She's not a trap," Theo said quietly. "There was no fear in her. Just… hope."
Everyone turned to him.
"What?" he shrugged. "I felt it. You all did. Don't lie."
"Or maybe she's your mate?" Cassian said, which got him a side eye from Alec.
"What... Is it normal to have a connection with someone you never met. A pull at that."
Cassian shrugged his shoulder, he has said what he said. It was left to them to read their own meaning to what was happening.
"I don't like this," Caelen muttered. "Something is wrong. I want it gone."
But even as he said it, the words rang hollow.
Because deep down, he knew the truth.
Something had shifted.
And he would never feel the same again.