The sound of the horn still echoed through the air like a wound that refused to close. It cut through the screams, through the clash of boots and armor, through the chaos that was quickly spreading across the courtyard.
“The gates are sealed?” I repeated, my voice rough with disbelief. “Rowan, say that again.”
Rowan’s eyes darted toward the tower. His face had gone pale beneath the dust and sweat. “They’ve locked us in, Kael. Whoever did this planned it. No one’s getting out of this city without a fight.”
Liora clutched the rail beside her, her knuckles turning white. “Locked in? But that’s impossible. Only the royal guards have access to the mechanisms!”
Rowan swore under his breath. “Which means one of them isn’t loyal anymore.”
The queen’s voice rang out sharply. “Find out who gave
