From the bright open plaza they could still see Marcus Hale and his people lingering further back. There was no more room to hide or pretend this would end quietly. Elara turned fully toward the others and spoke with absolute certainty. “He will not leave us alone now. Every time we move or hide he will track us again until one day he finds a way to make it stick. We cannot spend our lives looking over our shoulders. We have to finish this right here while we stand together and while we hold the stronger ground.”
Elias nodded slowly his expression hard and set. “I agree. We ran and defended and advanced far enough. Now we choose where and how this ends. If they want a fight they will get one they did not expect.”
Gideon shifted his weight ready and steady. “We know their ways now and the
