The moment Victor left their circle, the tension didn't vanish—it simply hung, coiled like smoke above a fire that hadn't quite gone out.
Silence clung to the group for a few seconds longer before Lucas exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Okay… can we just acknowledge how weirdly intense that was?"
Lilia nodded slowly. "He moved faster than I could see."
Irina, still holding residual heat in her psions, looked at Astron, her gaze narrowed—not in suspicion, but in sheer calculation. "You didn't flinch."
Astron glanced toward her. "Why would I?"
Before she could respond, Ethan stepped up beside him, brow furrowed, concern drawn across his face like tension in a bowstring. "Astron, you good?"
Astron turned his eyes to him. Calm. Distant, as always.
"I don't mind it."
His tone was as casual as if they were discussing a mild inconvenience. "Words don't bruise."
Ethan frowned slightly but nodded. He knew Astron meant it. That didn't make it sit any easier.
