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Chapter 21 - MARTHA'S PRIVATE CHAMBER

*[INT. CALAVERA MANOR – MARTHA'S PRIVATE CHAMBER – NIGHT]*

*Soft candlelight flickers over the elegant but intimidating gothic interior. Weapons line the wall beside ancient scrolls. *KYA CALAVERA* stands with arms crossed, pacing slowly, while *MARTHA CALAVERA*, her mother, adjusts magical ornaments on a dresser.*

*KYA (whispering, tense):*

"I saw them… sitting together. Laughing. Drinking. It wasn't an interrogation or a stakeout. It looked like a *date*."

*MARTHA (turning, curious):*

"Are you sure?"

*KYA:*

"Mia Constantine. In civilian clothes. Sitting across from a strange man with silver-lined boots, gloves like an aristocrat, and a face like he owns time. That's not a coincidence."

*MARTHA (sits slowly):*

"And she didn't seem tense?"

*KYA:*

"Not even slightly. She even smiled. You *know* how rare that is."

*MARTHA (nodding, thoughtful):*

"If this man is truly the same energy spike that crushed both of our detection systems… why would he openly entertain the daughter of the greatest hunter family alive?"

*KYA:*

"Exactly. It doesn't make sense."

*MARTHA (leaning in, low voice):*

"Then perhaps… we were wrong. Maybe he's not here to destroy."

*Pause.*

*MARTHA (serious):*

"Or maybe he's just better at hiding his intentions."

*KYA:*"So what do I do?"

*MARTHA (decisively):*

"Keep watching. But don't just observe. Engage. Try to learn who he is directly."

*KYA (raising brow):*

"And what? Join them at the next tea party? If Mia sees me near him, she'll be on high alert. She's paranoid."

*MARTHA (smirking):*

"I thought you'd say that."

*She reaches into a drawer and pulls out an ornate, silver-chained *glamour necklace*, glowing faintly with sapphire light.*

*MARTHA:*

"This belonged to your great aunt. Cloaks appearance. Projects a different aura. Mia could look right at you and think you're a florist from out of town."

*KYA (smirking):*

"That's convenient."

*MARTHA:*

"Don't waste it being sarcastic. Use it wisely. Observe everything — how he speaks, how he acts. Look for the cracks in his mask. If he's a threat… we'll know soon enough."

*KYA (placing the necklace around her neck):*

"And if he's not?"

*MARTHA (shrugs):*

"Then we still stay one step ahead of the Constantines."

*KYA (grinning faintly):*

"Now *that's* a family tradition."

*FADE OUT.*

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