Ferah wiped the blade against her sleeve, her expression never changing. "We couldn't risk him escaping."
Vardy watched the body for a long moment before nodding. "We need to move."
The remaining spy stumbled into Dean's chamber, panting, his face pale.
Dean raised an eyebrow. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
The spy swallowed hard. "The Dud… he was waiting for us."
Dean's smirk faded. "And your partner?"
The spy hesitated.
Marcus stepped forward. "Gone."
A tense silence followed.
Dean exhaled through his nose. "So. They're more prepared than I expected."
The spy nodded, still catching his breath. "He knew we were coming."
Dean's gaze darkened. "Then it's time we stop playing games."
His fingers drummed against the table.
And he began planning his next move.
____
Vardy sat outside the cave as night approached.
The night outside stretched endlessly, and there was heavy silence wrapping around the forest.
Then came the rustling sound.
