“Alpha. They're moving.” The mind link hit Rowan at midnight.
The voice belonged to Leo, one of the scouts stationed at the northern border. His mental tone was sharp with urgency. They've crossed the tree line and heading it the borderline.
Rowan was on his feet before the link closed. Beside him, Aria stirred, her hand moving instinctively to the heavy swell of her stomach. She was awake in an instant, months of tension had made sleep shallow and quick to break.
"They're coming," she said. It wasn't a question.
"Yes." He was already pulling on his tunic, already reaching for his blade. His voice was calm, but Varkos was snarling beneath his skin. At last. Let them come.
Another mind link, this time from the watchtower. Alpha, the first wave has breached the perimeter. They're fast.
