Madison my Queen—predatory calculation behind dark eyes. Charlotte—analytical clarity warring with exhaustion. Patricia—decades of grief etched deeper today. Sofia—fear she was trying desperately to hide. Emma—cocky shell cracking at the seams. Sarah—quiet, watchful, missing nothing. Isabella—teacher brain still trying to organize chaos into lesson plans. Luna—wide-eyed, too innocent for this war.
My family. My responsibility.
"Master," ARIA's voice returned through the earpiece, low and urgent. "I strongly recommend immediate escalation of defensive protocols. Entities with this level of capability constitute an existential-grade threat."
"Agreed. Implement Protocol Fortress immediately."
"Confirmed. Increasing drone patrol density, activating additional Militarybot positions, enhancing perimeter scanners to maximum sensitivity. Estate security elevated to Threat Level Alpha."
