A cold silence hung over the war tent as Kael stared at the crude map spread across the table, lit only by flickering lantern light. The scent of ash and blood lingered in the air, remnants of the latest skirmish. Hollow Ridge had been a hard-earned victory, but the cost had left them raw. Scouting reports had started to confirm the unthinkable: Jonas had betrayed them.
Jonas, who had fought beside them for years. Jonas, who Aria had once called a friend.
Kael's hands clenched into fists, veins bulging along his forearms. The betrayal wasn't just a tactical blow—it was personal.
Aria stood on the other side of the tent, silent, watching Kael with unreadable eyes. She had barely spoken since the scouts brought back the truth. The one person they had counted on to protect their flank had fed their positions to Ronan. He had even opened the north gate.
Kael spoke first, his voice hoarse. "He let the enemy in. Gave them a map. Explained our signals."
