Dahlia froze in shock, her gaze darting between the frail, enigmatic figure of the old shaman and her husband, Sullivan. "How did you—" she began, her voice faltering as realization struck her. She swallowed hard, the weight of his plan dawning on her. So, this was what he had been preparing all along.
With a calm tone, Sullivan gestured toward the shaman. "This is Shaman Lena," he said, his words deliberate.
Dahlia inclined her head slightly in a formal gesture, though her jaw tightened, and her lips pressed into a thin line. A flicker of anger darkened her eyes, betraying her true feelings.
Shaman Lena's sharp gaze caught the subtle tension. Her lips curved into a knowing smile, one that hinted at centuries of wisdom and an uncanny ability to read the unspoken. It was as though she had seen this exact reaction many times before and found it mildly amusing.