The highway held its breath.
Felicity stayed tucked against Ivan's chest, her hands still fisted in his shirt from sheer habit, her face turned slightly away from the open stretch of road where the sound had come from. Voss was angled in front of them with that calm, predatory stillness that made the world feel smaller around him. Victor's wing hovered half open, not flared, not dramatic, just ready. Damien's eyes were bright with the kind of interest that never meant anything good for whoever caused it.
Snow Team froze in place like the noise had grabbed them by the spine.
Sarge stood too close to Felicity's shoulder, closer than usual, close enough that she could feel his body heat when the wind shifted. He did not touch her. He did not look at her. He just stayed there like he had decided her radius was his responsibility.
Kai took a single step forward without thinking, his posture shifting into something sharp, and Victor's gaze snapped to him.
It was only a look.
