"You felt it earlier. That thing—whatever that pressure was. The timing lines up."
Elara finally looked at him.
And for once, she didn't have something calm to say back.
She just stared.
Nathan took another breath, tried to lower his voice.
"I don't know what's happening, El. But Merlin does. And I know you do too. At least more than me."
Elara didn't deny it.
That was the worst part.
Nathan's jaw tensed. "Is she dead?"
"No."
The answer came fast.
Sharp.
Nathan blinked. "How do you know?"
"Because I didn't feel her die."
He hesitated.
Elara's voice was quieter now. Steadier. But the edge was still there.
"Whatever took her didn't kill her. Not yet."
Nathan looked down the hall, like he could see the spot where she'd vanished. Like it might give him something back if he stared long enough.
"Then what did it do?"
Elara didn't answer.
Not right away.
"We need to wait for Merlin."
Nathan stepped back.
"Yeah," he muttered. "We do."
