“Stand up,” I ordered.
The warrior pushed himself off the floor, legs shaking.
Blood dripped from the cut on his forehead. Before he could speak, Blade appeared at my side, Julius right behind him.
Both of them read the storm in my eyes and moved without being told.
“We need a corner,” Blade muttered.
I gave a short nod.
We slipped away from the center of the hall toward a quieter spot near one of the tall stone pillars.
The noise of the festival dulled here, but the tension followed us like a shadow.
Lanterns flickered overhead.
“Talk,” I said. “What did you find?”
“Is there any news?”
The warrior swallowed hard, then nodded once.
“Yes… Alpha.”
He reached into his torn jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Something about the way he held it already felt wrong. H
