Celia stood near the side of the table, still composed, though her eyes carried the tension of someone remembering the clearing from above. "From Raven's position, I could see the formation more clearly. They were not simply surrounding Liam and Asher. Some engaged directly, while others stayed back and watched. The ones watching changed position after each exchange."
Felix's writing slowed. "Changed how?"
"Protecting angles that had just been exploited. Covering joint folds. Avoiding the same approach after seeing one of their own punished for it. One of them waited through several clashes before moving at all. It looked like it was studying their response patterns."
Asher gave a short, humorless laugh. "The patient one was ugly in a special way."
