The palace shook beneath another deafening explosion.
Stone dust rained from the ceiling as terrified screams echoed through the corridors.
"Protect the Queen!"
"Seal the western gates!"
"Healers! We need healers!"
Chaos erupted around us.
Jeremiah unsheathed his sword and stepped beside me.
"Alpha, our men are already engaging them."
"Casualties?"
"Too many."
Indra snarled inside my mind.
They're here.
The same darkness that poisoned Father.
I could feel it too.
The air itself was heavy with an unnatural chill.
This wasn't an ordinary attack.
It felt...
Wrong.
Aria tightened her grip on her twin blades.
"I know these corridors. Follow me."
Without waiting for permission, she sprinted toward the grand staircase.
I followed.
Jeremiah and six warriors stayed close behin
