The morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our New Orleans home's study, casting long shadows across the antique mahogany table where maps and documents lay scattered. Duriel stood at the head of the table, his warrior stance rigid as he outlined potential security protocols.
"The Council's got eyes everywhere," he explained, marking points on the map. "We need to be smart about movement patterns."
"He's right," Yue's voice chimed in my head. "But there's something he's not telling you about these routes."
Piper leaned forward, her emerald eyes studying the marked pathways. "These all avoid vampire territories. Why?"
"Because that's exactly where they'll expect us to go," Duriel replied. "Everyone knows New Orleans vampires are offering protection. It's too obviou
