A chill ran down my spine. It was subtle, just a faint shift in the air, but I knew that presence anywhere. Izanaji Ryuzin.
I turned toward the source, and there he was—leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He looked at us with an unreadable expression, his dark eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite place.
For a second, I didn't move. I was too focused, too wary. My instincts screamed at me.
Without hesitation, I handed our babies to Ai. She cradled them close to her bosom, her grip instinctively tightening around them as if shielding them from some unseen danger. I stepped forward, positioning myself between her and Ryuzin.
"What are you doing here?" My voice was sharp, interrogative.
Ryuzin uncrossed his arms and pushed off the wall, taking a slow step forward. "Nothing… just wanted to check in on your twins." His tone was neutral, but the fact that he was here at all unsettled me.
