They rose without further discussion. The house moved into quiet preparation mode. Mia headed for the kitchen. Lisa and Rhea went back to the training room to run forms. Vespera and Seraphine vanished into the shadowed upper floors. Caroline and Elena checked medical supplies and essence stabilizers.
Trevor remained in the living area alone for several minutes. He opened the private system log and reviewed the data from the artificial dungeon. Kael's defeat had been clean. The essence gain was minor but the combat data was useful. The network had remained stable throughout.
He closed the interface.
Outside, the city wards pulsed against the coming night. Somewhere beyond the walls, Lira Voss was already assigning the final groups. Somewhere deeper, the Ice Forge waited—cold stone, killing cold, and whatever ancient things the Silver Guild considered suitable for thinning the herd.
Trevor turned and walked upstairs.
Four days.
He would make them count.
