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" – Darius POV (continued)
I moved swiftly, boots echoing softly against the obsidian marble of the Blackwood Castle. The Tower was Amara's personal war room—part strategy hub, part interrogation site, and part sanctuary. Only a few ever got summoned there. And none without reason.
When I arrived, the heavy steel doors were already ajar. That never happened.
Inside, Amara stood alone.
No guards. No aides. Just her, back to me, hands behind her. She was staring at the massive tactical display on the wall—one that showed all active military units across the empire. The red lines pulsed like veins through the map. Controlled. Violent.
"Close the door, Darius," she said without turning.
I obeyed.
"You were with Classic last week," she said flatly.
Straight to it. Of course.
"Yes," I answered.
"Why?"
"He asked to speak about national defense logistics. It wasn't unauthorized."
She turned slowly. Her eyes… weren't angry. They were disappointed.
"Don't lie to me, Darius. Not here."
I felt the weight of my oath to her. And my guilt.
"I monitored his network," I confessed. "Classic is rallying silent support for Chris. He's loyal—but he's not playing by the rules. He's building a fallback plan in case you and Chris fail."
Silence.
Amara moved closer, just a few steps between us now. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
I hesitated. "Because… I wasn't sure whose side he was really on. And maybe I wasn't sure where I stood either."
Her jaw tightened.
"I don't need hesitation in my circle, Darius. I need conviction."
"I understand," I said quietly.
She reached into her cloak and pulled out a sealed envelope. "Give this to Classic. If he opens it, he'll know exactly where I stand. And where he must stand."
I took it, the seal warm from her hand.
"Amara… are we at war with ourselves now?"
She smiled bitterly. "Not yet. But if anyone wants to test this empire's heart, I'll be the one to rip theirs out first."
I nodded, bowed slightly, and left the Tower. The envelope in my hand felt like a loaded weapon. One that could shift the balance of everything.
And I was the trigger.
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