Morning arrived without warning, yet for the first time, there was no sense of shock when eyes opened.
Adrian Blackwood was already standing in his office before the city truly came alive, his hands resting on the desk, eyes scanning the stream of reports that had arrived since dawn.
There were no signs of major threats, no suspicious surges, only normal movements beginning to settle into a new pattern after the void of the past few days.
He read calmly, without rushing, because this time he was not chasing time—he was mastering it.
The door opened slowly and Sophia entered silently.
She was already dressed neatly, her face showing fatigue that hadn't fully faded, yet retaining the same firm resolve as before.
She stopped near the desk, observing the same reports without immediately touching them.
"No one is trying anything big," she said softly.
Adrian nodded slightly.
"They are still observing," he replied.
