The warning on the scanner remained suspended above the medical table, its crimson letters reflecting against the pale faces of everyone gathered in the emergency medical wing. THE BOND IS NOT BEING RESTORED. SOMETHING ELSE IS LEARNING HOW TO ENTER IT. Dr. Elena Rossi reached across the table and disconnected the scanner, but the dark thread connecting Alessandro's blood sample to Elara's did not disappear with the display. Instead, it tightened into a thin, pulsing line, as though an invisible hand had drawn it through the glass.
"Everyone step away from the table," Elena ordered, her voice sharp enough to silence the room. "Ethan, seal both samples separately and activate the isolation field. Nobody touches the equipment until we know whether this reaction is contained."
