Darius's POV
The moon hung low in the sky as I slipped through the forest, careful to take the route I'd swept for Syndicate tracking devices earlier. The coded message had arrived via a dead drop—urgent meeting at the old hunting camp.
My stomach churned with each step. Double spy. Traitor. Spy. The labels stuck to me like burrs, but none caught the whole truth.
The cabin emerged between the trees, a shadow against shadows. No lights burned inside, but I knew she was waiting.
"You're late," Mara said as I entered. My Syndicate contact sat in the only chair, her silver hair gleaming in the darkness. "The Queen is displeased."
"The Queen can wait," I answered, crossing my arms. "Kieran's doubled the guards. Getting away wasn't easy."
Mara's ice-blue eyes narrowed. "Did you bring it?"
I pulled a folded plan from my jacket—marked with false patrol routes and security blind spots that would lead any invading force straight into an ambush.
