[Dark Alley]
Rogan went to see Seraphina after nightfall.
Her place was tucked away from the main streets, hidden behind wards most people never noticed and those who did learned quickly not to linger.
The air inside smelled faintly of herbs and old stone, familiar in a way that tightened his chest.
Seraphina didn't ask why he was there, she set a kettle aside and turned to face him. Her expression was already grave.
"Sit," she said but Rogan didn't.
"She felt it again," he said instead. "Stronger than before."
Seraphina's lips pressed together. "I know."
That made his jaw tighten. "She told you?"
"Yes and I also felt the shift," she replied calmly. "Not the event itself but the echo of it. Whatever touched her wasn't ordinary."
Rogan dragged a hand through his hair. "I gave her the potion and it worked. At least enough."
"For now," Seraphina said.
