Something suddenly shifted in the air. It wasn't loud or violent at first, but sharp enough that Vanessa's instincts caught it. Her body stiffened, her breath hitched, and she felt her necklace jerk slightly against her chest.
She looked down—and froze.
Her chain was floating.
The delicate silver links trembled, pulling upward as if invisible hands were trying to rip it away from her. Her eyes widened as she gripped it with one hand, holding it down against her collarbone. The pressure grew worse. The chain rattled, clinking softly, as though it wanted to snap loose and hurl itself toward the machine.
"L-Liam…" she whispered, panic slipping into her voice.
Liam's arm tightened protectively around her waist. His eyes locked on the machine. "Hang on."
She had no idea what was happening, no understanding of what force was tugging at her, but the moment his voice cut through the chaos, the pull grew ten times stronger.
