The hum didn’t fade. It deepened. Alex felt it first—not through his ears, but through the bond, a low vibration that crawled under his skin and settled in his chest. It wasn’t an attack. It was a presence, deliberate and patient. 💭 They want us aware. Brian moved without speaking, activating secondary seals, his motions precise and practiced. ❄️ “They’re testing response time,” he said quietly. “Seeing how fast we react.” Alex swallowed, forcing his breathing to slow. The bond mirrored his effort, tightening into something controlled instead of panicked. “They’re inside the perimeter,” Alex said. “But they’re not crossing the threshold.” ❄️ “Good,” Brian replied. “That means they’re cautious.” Cautious was worse than reckless. The lights flickered once. Then twice. Alex flinched instinctively as the bond surged, reacting to the sudden environmental shift. Brian’s eyes snapped to him. ❄️ “Stay with me.” “I am,” Alex said, gripping Brian’s wrist. “They’re listening.” The
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