In the next breath, he was moving—body blurring as he crossed the dining hall in a single stride, robes snapping behind him like dark wings.
The heavy double doors at the far end swung open of their own accord at his approach. He stepped through without breaking stride, and the doors slammed shut again with a resonant boom that echoed through the corridors.
Less than a minute later, the night air struck his face.
Kaelan launched skyward in a streak of controlled power, crossing the distance between the main residence and the Moonvilla in heartbeats. He landed silently on the outer wall overlooking the compound, senses sweeping outward like a net cast across water.
He felt them immediately—both Qin Wei and Thea inside the western wing, their presences unmistakable even at this range. No external attackers. No hostile mana signatures. Yet the severed bond still throbbed in his chest like an open wound.
