Chapter 62 Enemies In Shadow

• The assembly was winding down, a faint buzz of whispered conversations filling the hall as the gathered leaders began to break away into small clusters. I felt a wave of relief wash over me—today had gone better than I could have hoped. The elders had listened, the key allies had shown cautious but growing support, and there was a glimmer of something close to unity among us. As Blue and Grey lingered close by, quietly murmuring amongst themselves, I finally allowed myself to breathe. For the first time in what felt like days, my guard began to lower, just slightly.
• But that peace didn’t last.
• Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a figure moving too quickly, too purposefully, weaving through the thinning crowd with their gaze locked on me. My instincts flared, an inexplicable chill creeping up my spine as the figure slipped closer. Before I had time to fully process what was happening, I saw the glint of metal in his hand—a weapon. I felt my heart lurch into my throat.