Christian’s Pov

The message arrived just after midnight.

Kane entered my study without knocking, which already told me the matter was serious. He closed the door behind him and placed a folded piece of paper on my desk.

“From the inside,” he said quietly.

I opened it and read the short report twice.

Elijah was no longer only spreading rumors. He was gathering people. Weapons were being moved through the outer settlements. There was talk of a larger action planned around Easter, when I would be at my weakest. The spy could not yet confirm the full details, but the direction was clear.

I set the paper down and leaned...