The eastern winds brought smoke.
Kaelin stood upon the ramparts of the Citadel as the first fires flickered along the horizon. It wasn’t wildfire or accident. This was a message—one of war.
Theron joined her moments later, his eyes narrowing on the thick trail of black curling skyward. “They’ve crossed the Eastern Ridge.”
“The Eastern Alliance is testing our borders,” Kaelin said. Her voice was too calm. Too steady. Inside, her instincts raged. The last time someone tried to burn her out of her home, she had lost everything. Not this time.
“They won’t stop there,” Theron growled. “Not with the so-called True Fang leading them.”
Kaelin turned to him. “Then let’s stop waiting and prepare to meet her.”
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In the war chambers, maps were spread like battle-worn prophecies. Pins marked s
