After settling Mireya and Maxen in one of the mansion's safe rooms, Hugo wasted no time. The calm he usually wore like armor had thinned to something sharper—focused, alert. I could see the faint glow of his lime pheromone still flickering around his hands, restless and agitated.
He turned to me before heading toward the outer corridor. "Stay with the kids, Lea," he said, voice low but firm. "I'll check the barrier."
"I'm coming with you," I said quickly.
His brows drew together. "Lea—"
"I can help," I interrupted. "You might need someone to sense if there's another wave of energy. My instincts reacted first this morning. Let me come."
For a moment, his jaw tightened. But then he sighed, realizing there was no point arguing when I'd already made up my mind. "Fine," he murmured, "but stay close to me."
I nodded, and together we left the children behind with the guards, who were now alert and armed.
