"Something's wrong with him."
Haelyn's voice cut through the thick silence like a blade. She stood still, fists clenched at her sides, watching Ezra writhe in his sleep. The baby's tiny fists balled, chest rising too fast, a cry stuck somewhere in his throat…but no sound came.
Archer crouched beside the bundle of blankets. "He's fevered again."
"He wasn't an hour ago." Her eyes burned. "It started the moment the wind changed."
Seraphis pressed her hand to Ezra's forehead. Her jaw tightened. "This isn't illness."
"You think I don't know that?" Haelyn snapped. "Don't talk to me like I haven't watched this child since he drew his first breath."
"Then listen," Seraphis snapped back. "This is interference. Something's trying to get in."
Archer stood, turning toward the cave's mouth. "She's close."
"Liora?" Haelyn whispered.
He didn't answer.
Ezra suddenly jerked…arms flailing, his mouth open, face scrunched up in terror.
No sound.
Not a single cry.
