Harin gritted his teeth, his breaths shallow, but his mind sharp.
No matter what happens, I must make sure they don't get to Emily… I must make sure they don't reach the guild.
The pain in his body dulled for a moment as his thoughts aligned. His vision flickered with the haze of exhaustion, but he forced himself to remain standing, to keep his focus on the enemy.
I will need to use that.
His right hand trembled as he clenched his fist, steadying himself. He had known this moment would come. From the moment Azure Crest Guild had been pulled into this war—no, from the moment they chose their side—he had known his life would be on the line.
The Hartley family had warned him.
Ray, the butler of that formidable household, had personally visited him weeks ago, standing in his office with that ever-composed, unreadable expression.
