~ Axel POV ~
"Check the perimeter again, and keep your hands off the main threshold," I ordered, gesturing toward the shadows behind the outer archway.
"Captain, the entrance is completely clear," Vance muttered, lowering his blade as he retreated into the passage. "Nora and Marcus just passed through the central iron gates. If we breach now, we draw the whole courtyard guard straight to them."
"We aren't breaching yet," I said, keeping my gaze fixed on the quiet inner courtyard. "We make noise on my signal. We wait until they reach the assembly doors before we draw their line."
A sudden dull clinking sound echoed from the wall base behind us. Vance turned his head, his hand dropping toward his belt. "Is that a patrol?"
"Stay down," I told him, dropping low against the wall.
I crept
