Chapter 206

Morning didn’t come gently this time.

It arrived with tension already in place—like the day had been waiting for them, not the other way around.

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Alex was awake before the light fully broke through the windows.

Not out of habit.

Out of awareness.

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Something had changed.

Again.

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The space felt steady—strong, even—but there was a new layer beneath it.

Pressure.

Closer now.

More defined.

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Across the room, Amara was already standing.

Not pacing.

Not ...