The Lantern Festival turned the capital into a river of light. Strings of paper lanterns floated above the streets, casting warm colors across laughing faces. Vendors called out their wares, children darted through the crowds, and the smell of roast duck and sweet pastries hung heavy in the air.

Liang Zhen and Lady Mei Lian moved through the festival with deliberate calm, their eyes scanning every rooftop, every shadow. The Silk Court’s information had been clear: a masked courier would pass through Lantern Alley tonight with Moonshadow in their possession.

But in a crowd this thick, danger could be anywhere.

They slipped into the narrower streets near the alley, where the music and laughter dimmed. The lantern light here was softer, more fragile, swaying in the evening breeze.

“Too quiet,” Mei murmured.

Liang’s hand rested lightly on his sword hilt. “They’ll want cover. This is perfect for them.”

Half a block away, Jade Yan moved with equal purpose, though for entirely different reasons. She wore a pale blue festival robe, her hair unbound to disguise her as a commoner. The black silk strip with the lotus emblem was tied around her wrist, hidden beneath her sleeve.

Shadow Phoenix had trained her to trust her instincts, and tonight they burned like fire in her chest. Somewhere in this tangle of streets, the truth waited, the truth the masked stranger had promised.

She turned a corner and froze.

A figure emerged from the shadows ahead, cloaked and masked, just as before. But this time, the figure wasn’t alone. Two armed men flanked them, their hands close to their blades. In the masked figure’s grip, wrapped in oilcloth, was something long and unmistakable in shape, a sword.

Jade’s eyes widened.

At that same moment, Liang and Mei stepped into view from the opposite end of the alley. Liang’s gaze locked instantly on the oil-wrapped bundle.

“Moonshadow,” he breathed.

The masked courier glanced between them, Jade on one side, Liang and Mei on the other, then turned and bolted down the alley.

Everything erupted at once. The armed men drew their blades, blocking Liang and Mei. Jade sprinted after the courier, heart pounding. Steel clashed behind her as Liang cut through the first guard with a fluid strike. Mei parried the second’s attack, her movements precise and lethal.

The courier darted into a side street, lantern light flickering over the porcelain mask. Jade followed, her training kicking in, light steps, controlled breathing, never losing sight of her target.

But the courier was fast. They vaulted over a stack of crates and onto a low roof, disappearing into the shadows above. Jade leapt after them, catching the edge and pulling herself up, her silk robe snagging on the rough tiles.

Across the rooftops, she saw the courier pause, looking back just long enough for her to glimpse the faint reflection of eyes through the mask, eyes that seemed to weigh her, measure her. Then they vanished into the maze of buildings.

Jade stood on the roof, chest heaving, the festival noise a distant hum beneath her.

Down below, Liang and Mei stepped into the side street, blades still wet from the fight. Their eyes met Jade’s.

It was only an instant, but it was enough, a spark of recognition, an unspoken question passing between them before she turned and melted into the night.

Liang watched her go, his mind already turning. “She’s no bystander,” he said quietly.

Mei nodded, wiping her blade. “And she’s connected to them. One way or another, we’ll see her again.”