Cyrus’s POV

The stronghold had grown restless since the attack. Every corridor carried the echo of watchful steps, and even the air felt charged with unease. I moved through it quietly, studying faces and silences. Patterns told more truth than words ever could.

Kael’s movements had changed. He no longer lingered near the command hall, and Mira’s assignments now shadowed his routes. Coincidence didn’t exist in times like these. I checked patrol logs; the overlaps were deliberate.

Rumors ...