Round 76

The scratching stopped, replaced by a silence that felt wrong—like the world holding its breath before screaming. The blue containment sigils surrounding us pulsed erratically, their magic responding to something upstairs that made my demonic instincts scream warning despite the tactical part of my mind trying to assess options calmly. Careful now, I said softly, voice carrying an edge honed by centuries of surviving exactly this kind of situation—predator stalking prey who'd gotten too loud. Whatever's at top of those stairs just went from testing boundaries to measuring our defenses for exploitation.

I turned my attention to Halie, noting the way she braced herself against the wall—fear made her movements jerky but the set of her jaw showed determination. Five layers established, I reported clinically. The barrier should hold against direct magical assault, but that doesn't mean whatever's upstairs won't find other ways in. My eyes narrowed as I watched Silra crouch lower with daggers ready—rogue instincts sharp enough to cut through bullshit even when exhausted and...