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Chapter 60 — No More Shadows
The torches burned low in the courtyard, throwing jagged shadows across the bodies sprawled near the wall. Guards whispered among themselves as Aiden Marrow was dragged to his knees, wrists bound tight.
Kairo didn't look at them. His eyes were locked on Elira.
She stood perfectly still, her cloak streaked with dust, the stolen key still hidden in her palm. If she moved too fast, he'd see it. If she hesitated, he'd know she was hiding something.
"Inside," Kairo said finally, his voice cold. "Both of you."
Aiden was hauled to his feet. Elira followed in silence as Kairo led them into the inner hall, the heavy doors closing behind them with a solid boom.
---
In Kairo's study, the air was tight as wire. He dismissed the guards, keeping only his lieutenant posted outside. Then he turned, gaze sweeping from Aiden to Elira.
"Talk," Kairo ordered. His voice was quiet — worse than shouting. "Why was this gate unlocked? Why were Vale's men already climbing my wall?"
Aiden's jaw clenched. "I don't know, sir. I was following routine inspection—"
"Liar." Kairo's dagger struck the desk with a hard crack, its point buried deep in the wood. "Vale paid you. How much?"
Aiden said nothing.
Kairo stepped closer, but Elira cut in quickly. "Kairo—"
"Stay out of this." His gaze didn't leave Aiden. "I'll deal with you next."
Elira's pulse spiked. If Kairo pressed harder, Aiden would expose her — her presence at the gate, the key, everything.
"Kairo, listen to me." Her voice was sharp now. "If you kill him here, Vale wins. You'll never find the rest of his network."
Kairo finally looked at her. "And how do you know what Vale wants?"
For a long, dangerous heartbeat, no one spoke.
---
Outside the door, Celeste lingered in the corridor, listening with cool interest. So little Elira has secrets after all.
---
Kairo's stare was unyielding, his hand still gripping the dagger buried in the desk. "Answer me, Elira. How do you know what Vale wants?"
Elira forced herself to breathe evenly. If she cracked now, Kairo would see everything — the messenger, the stolen key, her shadow war behind his back.
"I don't," she said smoothly, stepping closer. "But I know you can't make decisions in anger. If you execute Aiden now, Vale loses one pawn and keeps the rest hidden. If you hold him, he might lead you to the others."
Kairo studied her face, searching for a tremor, a lie. "You're protecting him?"
"I'm protecting you," Elira shot back.
The words hung between them, hot and dangerous. Aiden glanced up sharply, sensing a shift but saying nothing.
Finally, Kairo yanked the dagger free of the desk. "Fine. He lives — for now." He turned to the door. "Lock him in the lower cell. No food. No water. I'll question him myself at dawn."
The lieutenant entered and dragged Aiden out. When the door shut, Kairo rounded on Elira. "Now you. Where were you tonight?"
Elira held his gaze. "In my rooms."
"You're lying," Kairo said flatly. "I smelled the docks on you yesterday. And tonight you're covered in dust from the gatehouse stairs."
Elira's fingers tightened in her cloak. He's too sharp. If I give him an inch, he'll take everything.
"I was checking the walls," she said evenly. "Someone has to watch your blind spots while you play lord and executioner."
Kairo stepped closer, close enough that she could feel his breath. "Careful, Elira. You're walking a knife edge. One misstep—"
"Then don't push me off," she whispered.
For a long moment, his eyes locked on hers, unreadable. Then he stepped back abruptly, shoving the dagger into its sheath.
"You're confined to your chambers," he said. "Until I decide whether to believe you."
Elira inclined her head smoothly, masking the storm inside her. "As you wish, Lord Seo."
When she left the study, Celeste was still in the corridor, leaning lazily against the wall. "That sounded intense," she said with a knowing smile.
Elira brushed past without answering. Celeste's smile sharpened. So it's true. You're not as innocent as you pretend.
---
Elira didn't return to her chambers immediately. She waited until the hallway cleared, then slipped into the dim servants' stairwell, listening for any trace of footsteps. Her pulse thudded in her ears. Kairo's already suspicious. If he finds the key before I move it, everything's over.
She reached her room without incident, closed the door, and immediately knelt by the loose floorboard. The key and satchel were still there, untouched. Relief washed over her, but it was fleeting. I have to destroy this before he searches my quarters.
A knock rattled the door. She froze, hand still on the board.
"Elira?" a guard called. "Lord Seo's orders — you're confined to your chambers."
"Understood," she answered, keeping her voice calm. She waited until his footsteps retreated, then slid the floorboard back in place. For tonight, it would stay hidden.
---
In the lower cell, Aiden sat chained to the wall, blood still drying on his cheek. The lieutenant stood guard outside as Kairo entered, his expression cold as the stone around them.
"You were Vale's man," Kairo said quietly. "Why?"
Aiden laughed under his breath. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"Vale offered something you never could." Aiden leaned forward, eyes glittering. "Freedom."
Kairo crouched, dagger resting lightly in his hand. "Freedom from what? Loyalty? Honor?"
"From you," Aiden spat.
The lieutenant stiffened, but Kairo only tilted his head. "You disappoint me. I thought you'd at least have the spine to sell out for gold." He stood and wiped the blade on his cuff. "Enjoy your chains. Tomorrow, you'll talk — or you'll die."
---
Celeste wandered the upper hall later that night, pausing outside Elira's door. The faint creak of floorboards inside made her smile. So you're moving something you don't want him to see.
She turned away softly, already planning how to use this.
---
The estate settled into uneasy silence, but Kairo didn't sleep. In his private study, he sat by the window overlooking the east gate, a single candle burning low. He hadn't ordered a search of Elira's chambers yet — not because he trusted her, but because he wanted to see what she'd do when she thought no one was watching.
At the far end of the corridor, his lieutenant waited for orders.
"Keep someone on her door," Kairo said quietly. "If she moves, I want to know."
"Yes, my lord."
---
In her room, Elira sat on the edge of the bed, cloak still on, the hidden key and satchel heavy under the floorboard. She knew Kairo would post guards. He was too careful not to.
If I try to leave, they'll see me. If I wait, he might search my chambers himself.
Her eyes moved to the narrow window above her writing desk. It opened onto the sloped roof of the east wing — an old escape route she'd used before. Dangerous, but faster than crossing the corridors under guard.
She rose quietly, slipped on her boots, and eased the window open. The cold night air rushed in as she hoisted herself onto the ledge.
---
Down in the lower cell, Aiden sat with his head tilted back, breathing slow and shallow. He wasn't panicked. He'd expected this outcome the moment he chose Vale.
Footsteps approached — not Kairo's heavy stride, but lighter, softer. A young guard bringing water. Aiden opened one eye, smiled faintly, and whispered, "Tell Vale… dusk failed. But there's another way in."
The boy hesitated only a second before nodding. The message would reach Vale before sunrise.
---
Celeste, wandering the upper halls again, caught sight of a faint movement on the east roofline — a slim figure slipping over the tiles. She smiled to herself in the dark. So you couldn't stay put after all, Elira.
---
The slate tiles were slick with evening dew as Elira crawled across the roofline, moving fast but careful not to slip. She carried the satchel tucked beneath her cloak, its contents too dangerous to leave behind.
If I burn this key and parchment tonight, no one will ever know.
She reached the far edge of the east wing where an old drainpipe ran to the ground. Gripping it tight, she slid down, boots landing silently in the shadow of the garden wall.
---
At the same moment, Kairo sat in his study, staring at the door as his lieutenant entered quickly.
"She's not in her room," the man reported. "The guard swears he never saw her leave."
Kairo rose at once, his expression hard. "Then she found another way."
"Shall we raise the alarm?"
"No," Kairo said. "Follow quietly. I want to see where she goes."
---
Elira crossed the outer grounds unseen, heading for the old smithy at the edge of the estate — a place long abandoned since Kairo's father died. Inside, dust coated the anvil, but the forge still worked when stoked. She set the satchel on the stone floor and fed the embers, coaxing the fire alive.
The wax-sealed parchment curled instantly in the heat, Vale's seal melting into nothing. She gritted her teeth as she dropped the forged gate key into the coals. Metal hissed and glowed, the shape warping out of recognition. No one can ever find this.
---
Outside, two of Kairo's watchers moved through the garden perimeter — too slow to reach her before the fire's glow betrayed her position. One slipped away to report, but Kairo was already on his way, his long stride eating the distance between the inner hall and the smithy.
---
By the time Elira doused the forge and wiped the soot from her hands, Kairo's shadow darkened the doorway.
"You burn things in my house now?" His voice was low, dangerous, almost soft.
Elira spun, masking her surprise. "Better than leaving them for Vale to use."
Kairo stepped inside, eyes narrowing. "What did you destroy?"
"Nothing that matters to you."
"Everything matters to me," he said, closing the distance between them. The faint glow of the forge caught in his eyes — sharp, unreadable. "And you're going to tell me… before I decide you're no better than Aiden."
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