Lucian was the first to move.
He straightened from where he'd been leaning against the wall, every trace of shock draining into something sharp and controlled. The room seemed to respond to him—the shadows tightening subtly, the air growing denser, as though Shadow City itself had leaned in to listen.
"So," he said, voice low and measured, "we now know two things for certain."
River turned to him, posture still tense but attentive. Seraphina remained within Arwan's arms, her fingers curled lightly into the fabric of his sleeve as though anchoring herself.
"One," Lucian continued, "Seraphina can open a path between realms—at will or instinct—using herself as the bridge."
Raven's gaze flicked to Seraphina, calculating. "And two," he added, "that bridge works both ways."
Silence followed the statement, heavy with consequence.
