The Fox woman's eyes remained locked onto mine, the space around her still frozen under my control. For several long seconds she did not blink, and I began to consider whether the faint residue I had sensed was merely incidental contact rather than allegiance.
Then she blinked once. Her pupils did carry some fear but I observed a hint of smirk forming on her face.
"I will tell you about the Star," she said finally.
The moment the word left her mouth, a circle flared to life beneath my feet. I had not detected it during my initial scan, nor had there been any visible runes etched into the floor or lingering in the air. Reacting instantly, I expanded my perception again, this time probing deeper rather than wider. That was when I noticed them, three small Feran figurines placed casually around the shop, arranged in what had seemed like decorative symmetry.
