Kael moved briskly through the dense forest, the cool night air brushing against his skin. He wasn’t expecting trouble tonight; his purpose was simple. Kevin had been silent for days, and Kael was tired of waiting. He needed to know what the next step was. It wasn’t unusual for him to show up at Kevin’s hideout unannounced. They were allies, after all—or so Kael believed.

Reaching the secluded hideout, Kael instinctively slowed his pace. The flickering light of torches cast long ...