I watched Ms. Hayward's face carefully as my words hung in the air between us. The color drained from her cheeks, and her eyes darted nervously to her son, then back to me.
"Spirit binding?" she whispered, confirming my suspicions. "How did you even discover—"
"That doesn't matter," I cut her off. "What matters is removing it. Isabelle is suffering, and I need to free her."
Broderick stepped forward again, his face set in determination. "I don't know what you're talking about, but my mother isn't going anywhere with you."
I respected his protective instinct but had no time for it. "This isn't a request, and I'm not here to hurt her. I just need information."
Ms. Hayward placed a gentle hand on her son's shoulder. "Broderick, please. Give us a moment."
"Mom—"
"It's alright," she insisted, though her trembling voice suggested otherwise.
Reluctantly, Broderick backed away but remained within earshot, his eyes never leaving me.
