I feel them hours before Adam hears anything.
Not through sound. Not through the bond. It’s a subtle tightening in the air, like the world drawing a careful breath. The boundary nearby hums a little differently, not strained, not alarmed, just… aware. Whatever is approaching isn’t pushing. It’s moving with intention.
I straighten slowly, hands still, letting my awareness stretch just enough to confirm what my instincts are already telling me.
“We’re going to have company,” I say.
Adam looks up from where he’s re-lashing one of the canvas ties. “Hostile?”
“No.” I tilt my head, listening to something beneath hearing. “Deliberate.”
That makes him still. “How many.”
“At least three. Maybe four.”
He exhales through his nose and reaches for his jacket anyway. Not rushing. Not panicking.
