Two nights later, Isaac was escorted under heavy magical guard into the research annex. He wasn't handcuffed—but he might as well have been.
Inside, Aethra waited.
Unsupervised.
Their eyes met. Silence.
> "You shouldn't be here," she said softly.
> "Neither should you."
They both laughed—but not happily.
> "They're keeping something from us," Isaac whispered.
> "They're afraid of what we are."
She took his hand gently, and their soul seals shimmered.
Not merged. Not awakened.
But resonated.
A sudden psychic pulse slammed through the room. Words burned across their vision:
> "When mirrors reflect each other… time no longer obeys."
Guards stormed in, weapons raised.
But neither Isaac nor Aethra flinched.
Their eyes were already on the future.
---