Julien's house stood silent.
But not unprotected.
A faint glow surrounded the walls.
The windows.
Even the garden.
Lana's magic.
Layered.
Careful.
Strong.
Inside—
Everyone waited.
Lucas leaned back casually—
Holding a blood bag.
Drinking like nothing was wrong.
"…Feels like a family reunion," he muttered.
Zoe rolled her eyes.
"This is not funny."
Lucas shrugged.
"It will be."
Then—
The air shifted.
A presence.
Heavy.
Familiar.
Outside the gate—
A shadow formed.
Finn.
He stepped forward.
Calm.
Focused.
Lucas smirked instantly.
"…Look who's back."
A pause.
"Family drama returns."
Finn ignored him.
Walked toward the entrance—
And the moment he stepped in—
A sharp flash of energy.
He was thrown back slightly.
Not violently—
But enough.
The barrier held.
Lucas straightened.
Grinning now.
"…Oh, that worked."
He looked toward Lana.
"Nice one."
Lana didn't smile.
Still serious.
Still watching.
Finn stepped forward again.
Slower this time.
Careful.
His voice was calm.
"I need Exuma."
Silence filled the house.
Eva stepped forward immediately.
"No."
Simple.
Firm.
Finn didn't react.
"You will help."
Before Eva could respond—
Lana spoke.
"…Yes."
Everyone turned.
Zoe nodded slightly.
"…Yes."
Lucas added casually—
"Yeah, why not."
Velik's voice followed—
"Agreed."
Silence.
Julien stared at them.
"…Are you serious?"
Eva stepped forward again.
Angry now.
"You guys are insane."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Relax."
Eva snapped—
"No, I won't relax!"
She pointed outside.
"He's the reason we're in this mess!"
Julien backed her up.
"We are not helping him."
Lana finally stepped forward.
Calm.
Controlled.
"We're not helping him."
A pause.
"We're controlling the situation."
That shifted the tone.
Zoe added—
"If we refuse…"
A pause.
"…he takes what he wants anyway."
Velik nodded.
"This way—"
A pause.
"…we set the rules."
Lucas smirked slightly.
"Exactly."
Eva looked between them.
Still not convinced.
"…And what stops him from attacking us the moment he gets her?"
Lucas turned toward the door.
Voice louder now—
"Simple."
He looked straight at Finn.
"There's a condition."
Silence.
Finn didn't move.
"Say it."
Lucas stepped closer to the barrier.
Smirk fading slightly.
Now serious.
"You don't touch any of us."
A pause.
"Not one."
The air tightened.
Finn's eyes locked onto his.
Silence stretched.
Then—
"Okay."
Simple.
Direct.
But this time—
It meant something.
Zoe whispered—
"…That was too easy."
Velik's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Or too necessary."
Finn stepped back from the barrier.
Waiting.
Lucas turned around.
Clapped his hands once.
"Well."
A pause.
"…that went smoother than expected."
No one relaxed.
Because everyone knew—
This wasn't trust.
This was a deal.
And deals like this—
Always break.
Final Beat
Outside—
Finn stood still.
Waiting.
Inside—
The group prepared.
Careful.
Tense.
Divided.
Because one wrong move—
Would turn this house—
Into a battlefield.