Selene waited until the sky was covered in darkness before she dressed—a simple black gown, covered by a heavy black cloak.
The Faction had summoned her. And when the Faction called, she had to answer.
Lila, already dressed in black as well, stood near the window, ready to accompany her.
"We'll have to leave quietly," Lila murmured. "No one can see us."
Selene nodded, pulling the hood over her head.
"Stay here, my Queen," Lila said. "I'll clear the path. No guards. Once it's safe, I'll come get you."
Selene raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan to manage that?"
Lila smirked, brushing a hand through her hair. "Men are simple. A few bats of the eyes, maybe a sweet smile. They'll clear out on their own."
"Be careful," Selene said quietly.
Lila blinked, then grinned. "Don't tell me you suddenly care for my well-being."
"I don't," Selene replied flatly.
Lila gave her a small smile and slipped out the door.
Selene stood alone in the room, her thoughts drifting, to Thaddeus.
The Master of the Faction.
She had only met him once. She was twelve, bloody, soaked and terrified, hiding in the ruins of her father's Kingdom after Ronan and his soldiers had conquered it and killed her family.
And then Thaddeus found her. Not as a soldier, not as a conqueror—but as a savior.
He had been kind. Gentle, even. He told her she was meant for more. That one day, she would rise. That vengeance would come.
And she had believed him.
He placed her in the care of Varrin and Cassandra—two of the Faction's most trusted. They raised her. Taught her everything she knew including how to use her powers.
Now she was Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. But her mission wasn't finished.
Ronan was still alive. Atleast she thought he was.
She hadn't avenged her family. Not yet.
Lila's voice broke her thoughts.
"My Queen," Lila said as she stepped back inside. "The path is clear."
Selene followed her through the dark, quiet corridors of the castle. Not a soul in sight. Lila knew exactly where to step, when to duck, when to hurry.
They reached the stables at last.
Outside, four guards lay on the ground—tied up and gagged, squirming slightly.
Selene blinked in surprise. "Impressive."
"I left them for you," Lila said, pleased. "Time to do your thing."
Selene raised an eyebrow. "You overpowered all four?"
"Please," Lila said, rolling her eyes. "It was easy once I promised them a good time."
Selene walked closer, examining the guards with a look of cold disdain.
One of the guards tried to speak, muffled through the cloth. "Mmm—my Queen—"
Before he could finish, Selene placed her fingers gently on his forehead. Then on the others.
Her power immediately took effect. A warm, tingling pulse spread through them.
"You will forget everything that happened here," she said firmly. "You never saw me. You never saw Lila. You will return to your posts like nothing happened."
"Untie them," she told Lila.
Lila quickly removed the ropes. The men stood up, dazed, and without a word, turned and walked back inside.
Selene exhaled slowly, then turned toward the stables.
They entered quietly, mounting two of the black horses waiting in the far corner. The night air was sharp and cold as they rode out into the shadows beyond the castle walls.
----
Travis hadn't slept in days. Not since Ronan left to crush the Rebellion.
It shouldn't take this long. Ronan was a seasoned warrior—ruthless and strong and calculated. He had led armies to victory time and time again. Taking down a scattered group of rebels shouldn't have been this difficult.
But days had passed. Then more days. No word. No messenger. No sign of Ronan at all.
Scouts had been sent out. None returned with any news.
Something was wrong. Travis could feel it.
So, like he always did when worry gnawed at him, he climbed to the roof of the castle. Up there, the wind was cooler. The air felt cleaner. And from that height, you could see everything.
He and Ronan used to come up here sometimes. Talk. Drink. Laugh, on rare occasions.
Now, he was alone.
He leaned against the stone railing, letting the night air clear his head—until something caught his eye.
Movement.
By the stables.
He straightened, narrowing his eyes so he could see better. At first, he thought it was just the night guards. But as he watched more closely, he saw two figures emerge from the shadows.
Women.
The guards walked back into the castle, and the women mounted horses. Moments later, they rode off into the night.
Travis's brow furrowed.
Interesting.
Without thinking much more about it, he turned and bolted down the stairs, taking them two at a time. Within minutes, he reached the stables.
One of the horses was still saddled. He mounted it and kicked it into motion.
He didn't know who the women were.
He didn't know where they were going.
But something about the way they slipped off into the dark, unnoticed and silent, stirred something in his gut.
So he followed.