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Chapter 57 — The Edge of the Knife
Dawn broke sharp and cold over the Seo estate. Kairo stood in the training yard as his men assembled, their boots striking stone in perfect rhythm. His orders were brisk, merciless.
"No one enters or leaves without my clearance. Patrols double on every gate. I want eyes on every corridor — anyone who breathes wrong, I hear about it."
Aiden Marrow stood among the soldiers, expression carved from stone, saluting his lord with steady precision. If there was guilt, it was buried deep. Kairo studied him longer than the others, but found no crack. Not yet.
Celeste watched from the steps, arms crossed. "You're choking your own men," she remarked when the assembly dismissed.
"I'm rooting out a traitor," Kairo said flatly.
"And if you're wrong?"
"I'm not wrong." His gaze narrowed. "Vale's hand is inside my walls. I'll cut it off."
Celeste smiled faintly but didn't press further. She had learned when to step back — and when to push. Right now, Kairo looked ready to tear apart anyone who stood in his way.
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That same morning, Elira dressed plainly, her cloak hood drawn low as she slipped from the estate through an old servants' passage. The memory of last night burned in her mind — Aiden's meeting, the whispered plan for tomorrow night.
She couldn't risk warning Kairo yet. If she handed him the evidence too soon, he would confront Aiden openly, and Vale would tighten the trap. Better to cut off the threat before it reaches him.
The lower city smelled of smoke and salt as she moved through narrow alleys toward the riverfront. The warehouse from last night loomed ahead, its doors barred now, two armed men posted outside.
Elira melted into the shadows, waiting, watching.
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Back at the estate, Kairo paced his study. Reports streamed in — no leaks found, no suspicious movements recorded. Too clean. Far too clean.
He poured himself a drink he didn't touch, staring at the map spread across the desk. Lines and routes crisscrossed like a spider's web. If Vale made a move tomorrow night, it would be from inside. But how?
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. It was Celeste again.
"You look worse than yesterday," she said lightly. "Hunting ghosts will do that."
"Then maybe you shouldn't sneak up on me like one," Kairo muttered.
She tilted her head. "You're tense. Is it just Vale… or something else?" Her smile was knowing. "You can't keep pretending last night didn't happen."
Kairo's glare warned her off. "This isn't the time."
"Which means," Celeste murmured as she turned to leave, "you're thinking about it too."
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By midday, Elira had her chance. Aiden slipped from the warehouse alone, a satchel slung over his shoulder. She followed, keeping her distance as he crossed into a quieter part of the district.
He stopped at a small inn, handed over the satchel to a messenger, and gave a curt order Elira could barely hear: "Deliver this to the east gate at dusk. No delays."
The messenger nodded and disappeared.
Elira stepped back into an alley, heart pounding. So it's the east gate. He's opening it for Vale's men. If I stop this messenger, I can cut the link before Kairo ever knows.
But another thought chilled her. If I fail, Kairo will see Aiden's betrayal — and he'll destroy him… and anyone connected.
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