The city felt heavier after that.
Not darker.
Just… aware.
Lira noticed how people looked at her now.
Not with fear.
With expectation.
She stayed close to Kael as they walked.
"Kael… I can feel them," she said quietly.
"They're not watching the bond anymore. They're watching us."
Kael felt it too.
We crossed another line.
The Seer walked beside them, unusually silent.
After a while, he spoke.
"This is how Grayhaven binds people," he said.
"Not with chains. With trust."
Lira exhaled slowly.
"I'm scared of failing them."
Kael stopped walking.
He turned to face her fully.
The bond carried his intent firm, grounding.
Failing isn't choosing wrong.
Failing is refusing to choose.
Her shoulders loosened slightly.
"I'll remember that."
They reached their building again.
Inside, the quiet felt welcome.
Lira sat at the table, staring at her hands.
"Kael… when the heir comes… Grayhaven will be in the middle."
He nodded.
And we won't step away.
That scared her.
But it also steadied her.
A knock sounded at the door again.
Not firm this time.
Careful.
Kael opened it.
The scarred woman stood there, alone.
"News," she said simply.
Lira's heart tightened.
"What kind?"
"The heir has stopped moving openly," the woman replied.
"No champions. No collectors."
The Seer stiffened.
"That means he's planning."
The woman nodded.
"And he's chosen where."
She looked directly at Lira.
"Grayhaven."
Silence filled the room.
Lira felt the bond tighten not panic.
Focus.
"He's coming here?" she asked.
"Yes," the woman said.
"Not to attack."
Kael's intent sharpened.
Then to what?
The woman answered quietly:
"To speak."
Lira's breath caught.
"To us?"
The woman didn't look away.
"To you."
The room felt smaller.
The bond pulsed—steady, deep.
Lira looked at Kael.
"I don't want to talk to him."
Kael felt her fear, and something else beneath it.
Resolve.
We don't talk alone, his intent replied.
The scarred woman nodded.
"He won't come alone either."
She turned to leave.
"Prepare yourselves.
When the heir speaks…
the world listens."
The door closed softly behind her.
Lira sat very still.
The bond warmed.
Whatever the heir wanted
He was no longer reaching from the shadows.
He was stepping into the light.
And that
Was more dangerous than any blade.