The First Move

The first rule of war was simple.

Whoever moved first controlled the rhythm.

Vera understood that long before the message arrived, long before the symbols and warnings and half-seen shadows. She understood it in the way the guards’ shoulders stayed tense even during laughter. In the way Nicolas never stood with his back to a window anymore. In the way Matteo stopped asking questions and started answering them himself.

The enemy hadn’t struck yet.

That was the most ...