She studies me carefully.
“They didn’t split the bloodline because they feared power.”
“They split it because they feared impatience.”
Silence.
“You’re not wrong,” she says softly.
The room shifts.
Lilith never admits anything easily.
“They lacked training,” she continues.
“They lacked guidance.”
“And you think you have it.”
“Yes.”
She tilts her head.
“You’re arrogant.”
“No.”
“I’m prepared.”
Her lips curve faintly.
“You think restraint will prevent inevitability.”
“I think impatience caused Northfall.”
“And you think patience will prevent it.”
“Yes.”
She steps closer.
The air doesn’t distort.
The wards don’t flicker.
Her presence feels… integrated.
“I was wrong about one thing,” she says quietly.
“You weren’t refusing evolution.”
“You were building foundation.”
S
