Unexpected Is Always Expected Here

Suddenly her daughter bolted out of the room.
"Thea, wait!"
Lioness followed her down the corridors. She shouted 'excuse-mes' and 'watch-outs' to fellow agents, until finally she found herself in an empty utility closet.
"Took you long enough," an alto spoke.
"We were starting to wonder," a second voice said.
"You're not here," Lioness told (inexplicably glowing) Turtle.
"Imprisonment won't make us disappear," the woman answered kindly.
"Nor will it free you from us," the other one (Galilhai look-alike) said.
"You're not real!"
"Ask Thea..."
"Mommy!"
Maddie picked up the toddler, cowering in a corner.
"Who are you?"
"Magic."
"Empathy."