Imogen shook her head, her movements small and hesitant.
That simple gesture told the dragon far more than words ever could. His sharp gaze narrowed slightly, not in anger, but in thought. It seemed there was more work ahead for him—more questions, more gaps in this child's understanding of magic, and perhaps more damage done than either of them had realized.
"You said you tried to create a barrier to protect your friend." His voice remained calm, steady, the kind of patience only something ancient could possess. "But instead… he absorbed your barrier?" the grandfather asked again, slower this time, making sure she understood what he meant.
Imogen nodded weakly at first but then clenched her fists at her sides, her knuckles turning white as the memory clawed back into her mind.
