hina'

old stone floor as I moved across the poorly lit halls. Rushing past me, wolves were getting ready for the certain collision with L

like an invader in a world I didn't completely know. Neither was I a strategist like Kael nor a fighter. My only edge

houghts. Not thinking through politeness, he said, "Kael wants y

esterday night, I hadn't seen much of Kael, and the little glances I did catch of him were tinged with

ding at the head surrounded by his closest group was Kael. His eyes turned up as I walked in, evaluating me with

our next action on some thought. You will assist u

her challenge of my will, I stiffened mys

to the map laid out on the table. "Lucian has plans; I need ears and eyes inside

ting to retain a

e. She used to run with Lucian's pack before their relationship soured. She still has her cont

on and dishonesty. She was, yet, nevertheless fiercely independent, with loyalty just to herself. Lydia would be the one who coul

ed about Kael's proposal. She is not

espises Lucian practically equally to what I do. She will come aro

to challenge him. But I could see the computation underlying his strategy: Lydia woul

I knew Kael never gave witho

nt, she also exhibits paranoia. She won't trust you readily. You have to play your cards

which the stakes were greater than I had ever encountered before, not a straightforward mission. Still,

s men have been sniffing around Lydia's old haunts," he continued, his voice

ch this gently. Lydia is not aware of our whole sche

ngerously on me, and I wasn't sure I was qualified for the weight. But

g to give my voice confidenc

ough he was looking for any trace of uncertainty.

ead crushing down on me. Lean against the wall and attempt to control your breathing. In Kae

find Raiden walking forward, his demeanor strangely austere. With

ed his look. "I ha

, Seraphina." Plans usually have layers, and occasionally the

bt devoted. But his comments alluded to something more, a warning story I was not really aware of

d somewhat, I answered,

flutter of empathy. You are capable, as I know. Ly

sincere, and it made me realize that even in Kael's inner circle there

to me, a continual reminder of the gravity. I couldn't afford to be hesitant or afra

te observer of the developing anarchy. Every step I took felt more weig

crets revealed in the dead of night. Lydia was already there, leaning agains

on her lips. "Seraphina Thorne," she said, her voice

my anxiety. About you, Ly

vanished. "Kael's got you now running h

her to get under my bel

, yet there was a flutter o

nhaled deeply. "We require Lucian's details. And we will grant

acture in her façade. Between her own aspirations and the w

r, "You better not be wast

engthening. Lydia, trust m

was a gamble and every alliance a possible betrayal as I was enteri

of my destiny, regardless of