The Vaelorian estate loomed in the darkness, an impenetrable fortress of stone and glass. Nestled atop a secluded hill, it stood in eerie silence beneath the moon's glow, its towering walls casting long shadows against the sprawling grounds. Security lights flickered across the perimeter, sweeping methodically over the vast landscape, but Axel remained in the cover of darkness, watching. Calculating.
He had been reckless the last time he tried to see Raelynn. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
Axel crouched behind a dense hedge, steadying his breath. His heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and determination. He had mapped the estate's security patterns earlier in the evening, watching from a distance, noting the guards' shifts, the surveillance angles, and the blind spots.
Now, it was time to move.
