Linda's question hung in the air, dense and deliberate, like a stone dropped into still water. The silence that followed was broken only by Nova's soft babbling, the sound like tiny ripples echoing in the vast, magically charged room.
Samantha swallowed, feeling the weight of the moment, of her daughter's growing power, of the unseen threats hovering just beyond their senses. "We… we need you to be ready," she said slowly, choosing words carefully. "Not just for tonight, or the next threat—but for whatever's coming. You, James… even the town. Everyone needs to be prepared. Magic alone won't stop it. Strategy, awareness, instinct—they all matter now."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "I thought feeding people and making casseroles counted as preparation."
Kai snorted, leaning casually against the counter. "She's not wrong. Your casseroles might actually be our most effective defense so far."
Marcus shot Kai a glare that could cut diamonds. "Sarcasm is not helpful. Focus matters."
