I kept walking after that, but something had clearly shifted, and pretending otherwise would have been pointless. The coins had not changed in weight, yet my awareness of them had sharpened to an uncomfortable degree.
It felt like carrying something fragile without knowing where the cracks were, and every small movement made me more conscious of what might happen if I handled it wrong.
The narrow street stretched ahead and curved slightly to the right, pulling me deeper into a space that felt tighter with every step. The guidance from Juli's insects was still there, but it no longer felt smooth.
Earlier, it had been steady and reliable, like a quiet thread I could follow without thinking. Now it flickered, subtle but noticeable, as if something was interfering with it or reacting to what I was carrying.
"That is not concerning at all," I muttered under my breath, keeping my voice low as I walked. "In fact, I feel very reassured right now."
