Lila sat at the long wooden table in the center of the cabin. The fire crackled low in the hearth, casting long shadows across the room. A single cup of herbal tea sat untouched in front of her, cooling by the second.
Across from her, Caleb leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, jaw clenched. On her right, Adrian stood, hands in the pockets of his dark coat, eyes trained on her like a hunter trying not to pounce.
The silence was unbearable.
She broke it.
"We need to talk about the baby."
Caleb's arms fell to his sides instantly. "Is something wrong?"
"No." Her voice was quiet. "And… maybe yes. I don't know."
Adrian's gaze sharpened. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," she exhaled, "that it's not a normal pregnancy. The witch said the baby's development won't follow any timeline we understand. It could arrive sooner. Or… later. And it won't be human."
The air turned heavier.
Caleb sat forward. "Then we need to make plans. Make sure you're safe. Protected."
