“They’re not after territory then. I’d assume everyone knows it’s not up for grabs.”
“No,” Nova said. “They’re after access.”
Twobble’s ears flattened, and he folded his arms. “That’s… worse.”
My heart pounded as I thought about my grandmother and Celeste.
“Yes,” Nova agreed. “Much worse.”
I sighed. “What does this mean?”
Nova didn’t answer right away. Instead, she paced slowly across the room, and that wasn’t abnormal either, but a different energy moved through her.
“The Luminary was designed to amplify perception,” she said finally. “To allow ancient watchers to see across realms without stepping fully into them. We all know it’s meant to be a neutral space.”
“And the Hollows,” I said quietly, “don’t like being seen or brought into things.”
“No,” she said. “They never have.”
It was a miracle it held Gideon accountable, but he’d made a vow within the walls.
Skonk shifted his weight. “If the orcs breach that threshold—”
“They won’t breach it,” Nova interrupted gently. “They can’t and certainly not alone.”
“Then what are they doing?” I pressed.
She stopped pacing and looked at me fully now. “They’re forcing a reaction of some sort.”
“From who?” I whispered more to myself than anyone.
“They want something to answer them,” Nova continued. “Something bound to the Hollows, possibly, or they’re trying to get attention about something they feel no one will listen to.”
Twobble grimaced. “So, they’re knocking very loudly on a door that doesn’t open.”
“Yes,” Nova said. “And hoping whoever’s inside gets angry enough to respond.”
A chill crawled up my spine, and I settled closer to Celeste. “Why would the Priestess want that?”
Nova’s gaze flicked to me sharply. “You’re assuming she does.”
I frowned. “You don’t think this is her?”
“I think,” Nova said slowly, “that if this were her plan, it would be quieter.”
I didn’t expect that answer.
“She usually prefers leverage,” Nova continued. “And this would be chaos. This kind of move risks awakening forces she doesn’t control.”
Twobble glanced at Skonk. “So, someone else is playing a very dangerous game.”
“Or,” I said carefully, “someone thinks they can control what comes out. The Priestess could be doing the opposite of things we expect to throw us off.”
“True.” Nova’s lips pressed into a thin line. “That’s the problem. Guessing the motives of others is difficult.”
Silence stretched between us, heavy with implication.
“Well, what does this mean for us?”
