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"I came prepared."

"You came expecting this."

I pause.

"No."

The answer surprises her.

"Then why?"

"Because something about this place felt wrong before I knew why."

She doesn't ask what I mean. Maybe because she understands. Maybe because she doesn't want to.

The first sensor goes near the old maple tree. The second along the fence line. The third near the side gate where Sayer said he felt something watching. That one immediately glitches. The display flashes. Then resets.

Carys notices.

"Problem?"

I check the connection.

"No."

"That looked like a problem."

"It was interference."

"From what?"

I don't answer. I only know one thing. The interference is strongest in the places where the entity has appeared before. It isn't random. It's testing.

I move the sensor three feet to the left. It works perfectly. Three feet back. Failure.

I mark the location. Weak point.

Carys watches me write.

"You've done this before."

"Not this."

"Something like it."

I don't respond. She steps closer.

"Rhett."

I keep working.

"I know you don't want to talk about yourself."

"That's not true."

She raises an eyebrow.

"You've told me almost nothing."