"The central structure," Liam said.
Sheila's embarrassment from earlier did not vanish completely. It remained in the slight stiffness of her shoulders, in the way she kept her arms close to her sides for half a breath longer than necessary, and in the faint awareness that Charlotte was still standing behind her with the smug satisfaction of someone who had made a private moment less private for sport.
But the moment Liam named the central structure, Sheila's focus sharpened. Her eyes settled on him properly, clear and alert despite the long day, because Liam did not walk into uncleared parts of Veyrhold at night and return with nothing except vague curiosity.
Charlotte's amusement lingered too, but even she tilted her head with more genuine interest. The teasing expression did not leave her face. It only narrowed into something more attentive.
"You went inside it," Sheila said.
"Yes."
"How far?"
"Far enough to know it matters."
