It happened between heartbeats.
One moment, Kaelen was walking through the courtyard, hand brushing against Liora's as they passed.
The next was a whistle.
A shadow.
A flash of movement.
A crack of magic laced with silver.
By the time Liora turned, he was gone.
Only his blade remained—still warm, still humming with the energy he never got to raise.
---
They searched the entire valley.
No signs.
No scent trail.
No sounds beyond the last echo of the Accord's warning.
At the gate, Mira waited with her hands folded, eyes tight with something close to regret.
"They're sending a message," she said.
Liora turned on her, flame crackling in her veins.
"He is not a scroll to carry your words."
"No," Mira said. "He's leverage."
---
In the war room
Chaos blurred logic.
Council members argued. Darius shouted. Sienna pounded her fists into the table.
But Liora stood still.
Too still.
Her voice, when it finally came, was quieter than anyone expected.
"They've declared war."
