The containment sigils flared for an instant—then collapsed. A wave of alchemical energy rushed outward, cold and sharp, like fingers pressing against his skull.
Lindarion didn't move. Didn't breathe.
'That wasn't an echo. That was awareness.'
Glass cracked. The light within the flask pulsed again, stronger this time, twisting into something unnatural.
Cassian swore. "Oh, that's bad. That's very bad."
Luneth was already moving, her blade half-drawn, but Lindarion raised a hand.
"Wait."
Cassian snapped toward him. "Wait? For what? For it to finish deciding whether or not it wants to kill us?"
Lindarion didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on the flask.
The glow was shifting—unstable, flickering between gold and violet. Like something caught between states.
'Alchemy preserves, but this—this is something else.'
Luneth's grip on her blade tightened. "It responded to you."