Zhang Xi looks at the clean duct, then at the eight Shards in my hand, and her words hang in the air too long.
"You're going to change the world," she'd said. "And that is extremely dangerous."
Simon, who would normally have found a way to insult someone in that gap, stays quiet. So does Veric. Rhayne watches me with a silent worry, while Oliver looks too tired to pretend this conversation is only about money, potions, or ducts.
I close my hand over the Shards.
"I know it's dangerous," I say. "The problem is that none of you know what's actually coming."
Veric turns toward me. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means two years isn't much time." I tuck the Shards into my inventory for now and look at Zhang Xi. "And we have to use every day well."
"You didn't answer," Veric presses.
"I know."
Oliver exhales through his nose. "The prophet strikes again."
"Prophets tend to dress better."
"And speak more clearly," Veric says.
"Then I'm definitely not one."
