The subtle click of the window caused Ethan, who was feigning sleep, to sharpen all his senses. His heart rate didn’t skip a single beat, remaining perfectly calm. A chill crept in through the gap in the curtains, bringing with it the scent of wet soil mixed with a faint metallic tang. The Sovereign Crown. They caught my scent so quickly, Ethan thought sharply, or perhaps they’re sending a message with this move? Silently, Ethan slipped out of bed. His movements were as swift as a shadow on the wall. His nimble fingers caught a thin steel blade tucked into the window frame. Behind it, there was no one. Only a fine nylon string swayed in the air—a sign that a long-range surveillance device had escaped before Ethan could touch it. They hadn't entered, but they had left a mark. A hidden threa
