Chapter 25 – The Shadow Between Blades
Night fell over the Luthmere encampment.
Jean stood beneath the torchlight, overseeing wounded soldiers and reorganizing her lines. The battle earlier had been a victory—but not without cost. Kael rested under guard, his arm still wrapped in wind-woven bandages. Whitney prowled the perimeter, uneasy.
The smell of blood still clung to the earth.
Cassien approached, face grim. "A scout's missing. Vanished two hours ago near the eastern slope."
Jean frowned. "Deserter?"
"No," he said. "Too disciplined. This feels... like something else."
That "something" came moments later.
A scream.
Then silence.
Jean and Whitney sprinted toward the command tents. What they found was a scene painted in shadows—guards slain cleanly, throats opened without a sound.
At the center stood a tall figure, wrapped in black silks that shimmered like smoke. Two curved daggers glinted in the firelight.
"You must be the Light." The figure's voice was low, almost melodic. "The Shadow says hello."
Jean raised her sword. "Assassin."
"Not just any," he whispered. "I am Vereth, of the Thirteenth Veil. Sylas sends his regards."
He struck.
Even Whitney barely saw the movement. Vereth danced like smoke, blades flickering faster than most could follow. Jean blocked one, twisted past another—but felt the bite of cold steel nick her side.
He was fast.
Too fast.
But she was brighter.
Jean closed her eyes—and let the light guide her hands.
When next he lunged, she spun, caught one blade with the flat of Radiant Fang, and used the momentum to drive her elbow into his chest. He staggered—but vanished in a cloud of shadow.
"Trickery won't save you," Jean said calmly.
Vereth reappeared behind her—but Whitney was waiting. With a roar, the dire wolf pounced, divine fangs sinking into the assassin's leg.
Vereth screamed, twisted free—but Jean was already there.
Radiant Fang surged with holy fire. She struck once, twice—then a third time in a cross-cut that shattered the enchantments on Vereth's armor.
He collapsed, breathing shallow.
"Finish it," Whitney growled.
But Jean knelt beside him.
"Go back to your Guild," she said. "Tell them the Emissary of Light does not fear shadows. Tell them next time, I won't show mercy."
Vereth coughed blood. Then vanished into mist.
The attack was repelled.
But the message was clear:
Sylas would not stop.
Not until Jean was dead—or he was.
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