Selene Vance paced across the ornate marble floor of the Royal Palace war room, her heels clicking sharply with each step. The emergency sirens that had blared moments ago were now silenced, but the tension in the air remained palpable.
"Sending rogues was a kindergarten-level attempt," she scoffed, watching as Regent Valerius slammed his fist onto the polished table. The scattered reports confirmed what she already knew—Kaelen had been alerted to the threat and was mobilizing his defenses with frightening efficiency.
"Three hundred rogues should have been enough to overwhelm even Shadow Crest!" Valerius snarled, his face flushing with rage as he hurled a crystal decanter against the wall. It shattered, sending crimson wine cascading down the cream wallpaper like blood. "How did he know?"
