Winter's jaw tightened at Zara's suggestion.
"That's not how it works," he muttered, arms crossed. "You said they came when they wanted."
Zara didn't waver. "And we don't have time to wait for them to come to me at random."
Winter exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. "And if you break something in your head trying to force it?" His voice was rough, low, edged with frustration. "Then what?"
She stared at him, gaze steady. "Then at least I'll have tried."
Winter's scowl deepened. He knew that tone—Zara had made up her mind. Still, he refused to let this go without a fight. "You know how bad it is when they happen naturally," he argued. "What if forcing it makes it worse?"
Zara clenched her jaw. "Winter, I get it. You're worried. But I have to do this. We need information, and this might be the only way to get ahead. If we sit around waiting, they'll find us first."
