“And now they’re watching the town itself,” I continue. “Not just from the outside.”
“Using the tourists,” she says immediately.
I meet her gaze.
“Yes.”
She nods once, like that confirms something she already suspected.
“Then we’re already behind,” she says.
The words hit harder than they should. Because she’s right. And I hate it.
“I should’ve seen it sooner,” I mutter.
“You’re not omniscient,” she shoots back. “You’re dealing with a lot.”
That doesn’t make it better.
“Protecting the town,” I say. “Protecting you?—”
“Are the same problem,” she finishes.
I go still. Because that’s exactly it. Exactly what I’ve been circling without saying out loud.
“They’re not separate anymore,” I say.
“No,” she agrees. “They’re not.”
Silence falls. Heavy. Because now we all understand the stakes. Not just abstract. Not just potential. Immediate. Real.
“They’re going to hit us,” Brooke says quietly.
“Yes,” I reply.
“When?” Conrad asks.
I exhale slowly.
“Soon.”
Not precise. But accurate. Because everything we’ve seen?—
Everything we’ve found?—
Points to one thing. They’re ready. And once they move?—
They won’t stop.
I look at Tessa again. Really look this time. She’s steady. Focused. Not afraid. Or at least not ruled by it. And that?—
That makes this harder. Because protecting someone who refuses to be protected? Is a different kind of battle.
“I need you to be careful,” I say.
Her brow lifts slightly.
“I am being careful.”