Aria’s POV
We moved before first light, the camp broken down quickly and quietly, every weapon checked twice, every plan repeated until Ines was satisfied nobody would hesitate when the moment came.
"Remember," she said, addressing Victor and the small group joining their diversion. "Loud, fast, convincing. We want every guard on that perimeter looking at us, not toward the chamber. The moment it looks like we're overwhelmed, we pull back. No heroics."
"No heroics," Victor repeated, though something in his tone suggested he wasn't entirely committed to that promise if the moment called for otherwise.
Kael checked his blade one final time before turning to me. "Once we're inside, stay close. If anything goes wrong, I want you behind me, not ahead."
"I can handle myself," I said.
"I d
