The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the castle grounds. Kade stood by the parapet, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The sound of boots on stone signaled someone's approach, and he turned to see Vala striding toward him, her expression unreadable.
'You sent Thadric and Selyna to intercept the enemy force,'
she said, her voice steady.
'Do you trust them to handle it?'
Kade shrugged, though his tone was more confident than he felt.
'If anyone can handle it, it's those two. Thadric's got the brute strength, and Selyna's sharp enough to spot any traps. Besides, it's a small force. Shouldn't be a problem.'
'Small forces often carry the deadliest payloads,'
Vala said, stepping beside him.
'The Obsidian Pact isn't foolish. This could be a distraction—or worse, a message.'
Kade frowned, her words gnawing at him.
"She's right. Every time I think I've figured out their moves, they pull something new."
