11:00 PM Rain had been falling since afternoon; now only a drizzle remained, dripping from the roof onto the stone courtyard.
In the kitchen, the fire in the hearth had died down, only red embers still glowed.
Mira sat on the floor, her back leaning against the cold wooden wall, her hands bound tightly behind her with hemp rope.
A foot away, there lay a small knife, a vegetable peeler.
Two guards sat near the door; one leaned back with his eyes closed, the other stared outside through a crack in the door.
Mira did not move for ten minutes, counting her breaths.
One…
Two…
Three…
Slowly, she shifted her body until the tips of her right fingers touched the knife’s cold handle.
She grasped it, holding on with difficulty because of her bound hands, then began to saw.
Once…
Twice…
Three times…
The rope started to loosen.
Mira exhaled softly, rubbing her red, stinging wrists.
She glanced at the guards, both still motionless.
She stood, her legs stiff, and walked quietly toward the kitchen’s back door.
NORTHERN CORRIDOR Torchlight on the walls flickered in the wind coming through the windows.
Mira pressed herself against the wall, pausing every three steps to listen.
Silence.
Her goal was clear: the back gate, a small wooden door behind the granary.
It was the only way out without passing through the main gate.
If that door opened tonight, fifty Whitefang warriors would storm in.
“Forgive me,” Mira whispered.
“Forgive me, Minho.” From the end of the corridor came the sound of boots.
Mira quickly ducked behind a grain storage shelf, holding her breath.
A guard walked past carrying a torch, its light sweeping across the floor.
Once the footsteps faded, Mira emerged again, her heart pounding.
KAEL’S CHAMBER Kael sat on the edge of the bed, unable to lie down.
His fever had been coming and going for three days, and his shoulder was wrapped in thick bandages.
Luna sat in a chair near the table, stitching a tear in Kael’s sleeve with white thread.
“You need to sleep,” Luna said softly.
“I can’t,” Kael replied.
“My chest feels tight.” He stared at the window, where rain had fogged the glass.
“Order more guards at the back gate,” Kael said suddenly.
Luna stopped stitching.
“Why?
Isn’t the watch already doubled?” “Instinct,” Kael said.
“I don’t feel at peace tonight.” Luna set down her needlework.
“I’ll go check.” “I’m coming with you.” “No,” Luna said firmly.
“You have a fever, rest.
I’ll be quick, only fifteen minutes.” Kael wanted to argue, but he was too tired.
In the end, he only nodded.
Luna kissed his forehead.
“I’ll be right back.” She left, closing the door softly.
Kael could only watch as her figure disappeared down the hall.
NEAR THE GRANARY Mira reached the wooden door.
It was low, secured by a heavy iron padlock.
Two guards stood before it, one holding a spear, the other a torch.
Mira hid behind a pile of damp, musty hay and waited.
11:40 PM One guard yawned and said, “I need to step away for a moment, my stomach’s acting up.” “Don’t be long,” his companion said.
“I’ll need a turn too.” The guard left, leaving only one behind.
Mira picked up a fist, sized stone and threw it toward a large tree.
Thud.
The guard spun around immediately.
“Who’s there?” He walked toward the sound, leaving the gate unguarded.
Now was her chance.
Mira ran forward, pulling a key from the fold of her sash, given to her by the masked man earlier in the kitchen.
Her hands shook as she inserted it into the lock.
Click.
The padlock opened.
MIDDLE OF THE CORRIDOR Luna walked quickly, with two guards behind her.
“We’ll check the back gate first,” she said.
“As the Alpha ordered.” They passed the granary.
In the distance, beyond the walls, lights flickered, many of them, winding like a snake along the edge of the forest.
Luna’s heart raced.
“HURRY!” she shouted.
“Run!” AT THE GATE Mira pulled at the door.
Creak.
The sound of old wood.
From outside came the tramp of many approaching footsteps.
“At last,” a man’s voice called out.
“Open it wider, Mira.” Mira pushed the door further.
Suddenly, her wrist was wrenched back hard.
Mira cried out in surprise.
Luna stood there, her face wet from the rain, her eyes angry.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Mira wept.
“My Lady, I’m sorry.
My brother, they said if I didn’t open it, Minho would be killed tonight.” Luna said nothing.
She slammed the door shut and relocked the padlock.
From outside came thuds and blows against the wood.
“ARCHERS!” Luna shouted to the two guards.
“Climb the wall and fire down!” The guards ran for the stairs.
Luna turned to Mira.
“Stand up.” Mira stood, trembling.
“I was wrong, My Lady.
I’m a coward, I’m sorry.” ON THE WALL Arrows flew down from the wall, and shouts rang out from below.
Kael arrived running, wearing only his cloak, his hair and shoulder soaked.
“What’s happening?” he asked, breathing heavily.
“An ambush,” Luna replied.
“The gate was nearly breached.” Kael looked at Mira, who had knelt, then at the locked door.
“Good,” Kael said.
“You stopped it.” He peered over the wall.
“How many are there?” “More than fifty, Alpha,” a guard answered.
“They retreated after taking three arrows.” Kael nodded.
“Double the guards at all gates.
Now, and light torches along the entire wall.” “Yes, Alpha.” SMALL INTERROGATION ROOM 12:15 AM in the cramped room.
Only one table, two chairs, and an oil lamp.
Kael sat; Luna stood beside him; Mira knelt on the stone floor.
“Tell me everything from the start,” Kael said.
His voice was not angry, only cold.
Mira spoke in broken sentences.
She told them about the masked man who had come to the kitchen, the threat, the key slipped under the counter, and her brother Minho being held hostage in Riverbrook Village.
When she finished, Mira bowed her head.
“I nearly killed you all, Alpha.
I deserve to die.” Luna knelt before her.
“You were afraid.
You acted like a protector, I understand how that feels.” Mira looked up, tears still streaming.
“You don’t hate me, My Lady?” “I’m angry,” Luna admitted honestly.
“But anger won’t bring your brother back, so we’ll find a way.” Kael stood.
“Mira, listen to me.” Mira bowed her head again.
“Yes, Alpha.” “Starting tonight, you’ll move to the guest chamber.
In the east wing, near ours.
You’ll work there, washing, cooking, sewing.
Under guard by two men, you may not leave without permission.” Mira nodded.
“Yes, Alpha.
Thank you for not killing me.” “Don’t thank me yet,” Kael said.
“If your brother is saved, you’ll be free.
If not, you’ll stay here.” “Yes, Alpha.” “Take her away,” Kael commanded.
Two guards led Mira out.
KAEL’S CHAMBER 12:40 AM Kael sat on the bed and coughed twice.
Luna poured warm water into a wooden cup.
“Drink.” Kael took it, his hands shaking.
“My letter never arrived.” Luna fell silent.
“How do you know?” “The courier bird came back ten minutes ago,” Kael said.
“Its right wing is broken.
Claw marks from a hawk, and the letter’s gone.” Luna sat beside him.
“So they knew we were going to attack.” “Yes,” Kael said.
“Darek knows we’re angry, he’ll strike sooner.” He took Luna’s hand.
“I’m sorry for dragging you into this.” “Don’t apologize,” Luna said.
“We chose this together.” Kael looked at her for a long moment.
“Promise me.
Starting tonight, you won’t go out alone, always take two guards.” “I promise,” Luna said.
BEYOND THE WALL 1:00 AM Darek stood under a large oak tree.
His cloak was soaked.
A bandage covered his right shoulder, hit by an arrow while retreating earlier.
In his hand was a crumpled letter.
Kael’s letter, torn and caked in mud.
Darek opened it and read the red ink [You burn my food.
I burn your forest.] Darek smiled coldly, no sound coming out.
“You want war?” he murmured.
Behind him stood a hundred men, their faces covered with black cloth.
“Burn,” Darek ordered.
“At dawn, burn their eastern grain fields.” A scout approached and knelt.
“Alpha.
Movements inside the castle, it seems they’ve caught on.” “Let them,” Darek said.
“I want to see what that sick Alpha Blackmoon will do.” He threw the letter to the ground and crushed it under his boot.
“Tomorrow he’ll have to choose.
Save his food, or save his castle.” GUEST CHAMBER 2:00 AM Mira sat in the corner of the room.
A blanket and basin of water sat before her, she had not been able to sleep.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door.
“Come in,” Mira said.
A female guard entered.
“I’m on watch outside.
Call if you need anything.” “Thank you,” Mira said.
After the door closed, Mira hugged her knees.
“Minho, wait for me,” she whispered.
2:30 AM In the armory, a guard opened a chest of arrows.
Inside, all the points had been removed and replaced with blunt wood.
On the outer wall, the ropes holding the drawbridge had been sawed halfway through.
And in the eastern fields, a figure poured oil over a pile of dry hay.
A match was struck, and a small flame began to lick at the straw.
Come morning, smoke would rise from the tower, and Luna would have to choose.
Chase the fire, or guard a castle already weakened from within.