The garden at Silver Creek smelled of lavender and wet stone. Late afternoon sun slanted through the old oaks, painting gold stripes across the cobblestone path. Birds had stopped singing an hour ago—too hot, or maybe they sensed the weight in the air.
Luna sat on the bench beneath the wisteria arbor, picking at the frayed edge of her sleeve. She hadn't slept since Project Covenant 2.0 blinked to life in Victoria's lab. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Elara's silver-threaded eyes—and her mother's face, waiting.
Now Aria stood by the rose trellis, pruning shears in hand, humming a tune Luna remembered from childhood. Not a lullaby. Just a simple melody, like laundry day or bread rising.
"You're thinking too loud," Aria said without turning.
Luna managed a weak smile. "Can't help it."
Aria snipped a dead bloom, let it fall. "You came all this way just to sit in silence? That's not like you."
"I didn't know what to say."
