ks the door down. And when it

high when t

second, he thought it was a dream-until the knock came again, ha

loor in three strides. Aria stirred behind him, but he held a hand out, motioning for si

r, a bloodied scout co

heaving. "We found them. South ri

w tighten

eyes. "Rogues. Not just strays. Org

Kael's heart dropped

hadn't been seen

massacre at

el's mother

il gathered b

eyes unreadable. Aria sat beside him-by his choice, not tradition-and Selene

's truly them," he said slowly, "then we're not facing

d wolves went still. The younger one

the sigil. Scarlet paint. Crescent moon dri

," one warrior offe

They left the scout's brother. Disembowel

m fell

wasn't a warrior. She hadn't seen war.

ne said. "Secure the borders

el said

, brow raised

yes. "This isn't about

moment. Then, finally, he

nce was ans

between them.

n't speak.

moth

lone in the training yard beneath a weathered oak tree, dagger turning s

t," he said wit

you," she

dn't

ing her fingers through the gra

want to believe it. But

t she dis

the uprising. She told my father she couldn't be Lu

llowed

tarted over somewhere far. But now... I thi

his arm. "You think

aze. "No. I

, pulling scrolls from dusty shelves. Selene joine

hrough ancient war records is

replied. "Kael's mother... she wasn't just an

royal bloodline? I th

rne, it means they're not just trying to ra

arkened. "Reclaim it.

whispered. "One

attle strategies from the Redfang uprising. As dawn crept into the s

return beneath a crimson moon, and with her,

der, then muttered, "Well,

"They're not just coming for Ka

g, the wind tugging at his cloak, the trees eerily still. He

warriors wai

hair braided back, bow slung

n't li

use you sho

r. "You don't h

o. I'm yo

nd his eyes, and for a brief

eyes scanning the dark. "Bu

idn't

," she whispered. "You're

or the first time in years, he felt someth

attered t

scles tensing.

rees

hadows ca