Lucianne shoved aside the thoughts of how good the reception was underground as she turned around to pick up the empress’s call.

“Pelly?”

The response came out ominously, “Aunt Lucy, there’s been another abduction. Twenty adults and two children have been taken from another village, Saber Vagary.”

Lucianne’s facial expression squinted in despair before she asked, “How far was this from the Falling Vines?”

“23 miles north.”

“Without bloodshed?”

“Without bloodshed,” Pellethia confirmed, and added, “We’re still here, and everything seems the same. Lycan and werewolf scents, which, we’re positive, would fade away to reveal the real proditors that were here. The prints are like the last time as well...