---
Her hood was already down. Her face was young in a way that made mortal time look like a joke. Her eyes were older than the city.
Her chaos energy did not explode.
It settled. It pressed into the hall like a great cloak being draped over everything.
The three vampires turned instantly.
Sofia's smile faded by a fraction.
Natasha's eyes narrowed.
Even Alex shifted his stance slightly, as if acknowledging a new power house had entered the room.
Elena's eyes flicked once toward Seraphiel.
Not surprising. Recognition. Not fear. Annoyance.
"Elena," Seraphiel said softly.
Elena's response was blunt. "You took your time. I felt your present…"
Seraphiel's lips twitched as if she almost smiled. "I was hoping it would resolve without me."
Elena snorted quietly. "You always hope that. You always lose that bet."
Sekhmet stared. They know each other.
Not just "met once." Not "heard of."
They spoke like two people who had argued in kitchens, not in wars.
