“Alpha Ethan, great news! General Owen was able to hold the line of defense and retake one city along the coast!”

My eyes widened slightly. That was, indeed, good news.

“Does Talon know?”

“Not yet—I was about to go find him next.”

“I’ll do that. I need to ask him something, anyway.”

I stretched and stood up from my desk. It was still early—I didn’t mind walking a little bit.

As I neared Talon’s room, I noticed the door was ajar, and I heard his voice, along with ...