Dean frowned. "But… how would they even know? I manifested weeks ago. They're on a different continent."
Caelan and Serathine exchanged a look, one adults only used when the truth was inconvenient.
Lucas set his cup down. "What aren't you telling us?"
Serathine sighed, folding her hands. "Dean… in the modern era, dominant bloodlines are monitored. Quietly, discreetly, but monitored. Alamina has been tracking prospective families in Palatine for decades. They have the technology and the political reach to pull data from half the hemisphere."
Caelan nodded. "And you manifested with unusually strong, stable markers. That information doesn't stay contained, not with how many governments keep eyes on dominant emergence reports."
Dean's stomach tightened. "So they knew… immediately."
"Within hours," Serathine confirmed softly. "And before you worry… Sebastian is monitored too."
Sebastian stiffened beside Dean, jaw tightening, eyes flicking away like he hated anyone acknowledging it.
