---
Inside, his thoughts were not relaxed at all.
Nyx paused. It turned its head. It looked straight at John again, as if it had always known where he was.
A tiny pulse ran through the bond-thread, pleased and simple.
John's chest tightened harder.
It recognized him.
It was about to walk toward him.
If it walked to him, everyone would connect them.
John acted before that could happen.
He made a small gesture with his hand, as if scratching his wrist.
In reality, he formed the smallest void slit he could, hidden inside his sleeve.
Not a ball. Not a pull. Not a weapon.
Just a quiet opening, barely wider than a coin.
He sent one silent command through the bond-thread.
Return.
Nyx moved instantly.
It did not run.
It did not panic.
It simply turned and walked toward the nearest shadow that felt like John.
That shadow was John's sleeve.
Nyx stepped into the slit like it belonged there.
The slit closed.
The cold pressure vanished.
The air returned to normal.
