We traveled through the night. The sun had just crested the horizon when we finally arrived back at the Bluevera capital. The city was waking up, but the tension in the air hadn’t lifted.

Eric turned to Hank and ordered, “Get everyone settled and rested, but double the patrols. Anything suspicious, report to me immediately. Also, make arrangements for the event two nights from now.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Hank replied crisply before heading off to carry out his ...