There was a pause. Then she added, "If the Mistshroud Sect really is returning… you won't be able to protect your family alone. You'll need allies. Real ones."
Adrian turned to her, considering. "Do I have you, then?"
Bella didn't answer immediately. Then, with a faint smile, she said, "You have my spear. For now."
He chuckled. "That's more than I expected."
Bella looked out across the garden, her voice low.
"The city's changing. The old powers are fracturing. And underneath, the dead aren't sleeping anymore."
Adrian stood.
"Then it's time they woke up to a new order."
There was a pause. Then she added, "If the Mistshroud Sect really is returning… you won't be able to protect your family alone. You'll need allies. Real ones."
Adrian turned to her, considering. "Do I have you, then?"
Bella didn't answer immediately. Then, with a faint smile, she said, "You have my spear. For now."
He chuckled. "That's more than I expected."
