With access to my abilities again, I slipped into my shadow state, using the shadows of the watchtower to tether myself to. It flowed easily, as if even the shadows knew I was there to help. As if they, too,couldn’tstand the horrors going on behind these walls.
I slid up the shadow cast by one of the structural supports until I reached an open side window. I knew if I were in my physical form, my heart would be pounding—but there in thedarkness,I was confident I was safe.
That feeling of security faded swiftly, though, as the sun finally peekedover the horizon.
Then, as I curled myself into a dark corner of the tower and the sun shone through the open window, the wingbeats began. There was a countless amount of them—all I knew was that the noise blocked out all other sounds.
They were heading into the forest beyond the wall to relieve the night shift.
The night shift that, if all had gone to plan, had already been incapacitated by the Southerners hiding outinthe top of the trees.
Our scouts had noted that more Northernersscatteredthe forest than the first time we had visited, letting us know they were expecting us. Fortunately for us, they stillweren’taware ofexactlywhat they were facing.
And as the wingbeats quieted down, having flown out to wherever their assigned position was, Iwoundmyself down the staircase, checking each floor and finding them all empty.It seemed thatby sending out so many tomonitorthe forest, theyhadn’tplannedon keepingan eye on what they held within.
Their mistake, I thought as I made it to the bottom floor.
After ensuring there was nobody else around, I stepped out of the shadowsI’dwielded to get me that far. I quickly double checked everything was in place—my wings were a solid, darkgray,my hair was hidden in my cap, and even my boots had large enough soles to add to my height. Only males were to serve as guards and soldiers in the North, so the extra height would help me blend in, too.Elaera—my sword that Dimitri had gifted me as young teenagers—was strapped to my back, the silvery hilt blending in with those common in the North.
Though, I felt I was missing something.
Looking around, I caught sight of a black jacket hanging by the door. I rushed to grab and don it, finding that it fit surprisingly well. The male it belonged to must have also been small in stature.
There was a family name embroidered over my heart—Brewick.
Deciding that would have to be enough, I headed for the door, stepping out into the early morning sunlight—and into the encampment.
Keeping my head down, I set off at a leisurely pace around the inside perimeter of the wall. I clinched my teeth as I left the safety of the giant watchtower and its lack ofalychite. Myziriliumquickly faded from my senses as I made it past the edges of the watchtower. There seemed to be even more of the spikes on the inside of the wall than there had been outside, forcing myziriliumsomewhere so far into myself that Icouldn’taccess it.
My goal now was to find the weakest point on the east side of the wall that I could.
And bring itdown.
The watchtowerI’dentered through was on the south side, so as I slowly shifted directions while following the edges of the wall, I kept my eyespeeled. I checked out the support and structure—and thegaps inbetween—of the wall as I walked, noting every detail, but still not finding exactly what I wasseeking.
Just as I was about to pick up my pace, the door of the small watchtowerI’djust passed swung open.
“Hey!Where do you think you’re off to, soldier?”
I froze in place, taking deep, calm breaths as I turned on my heels to face the male. Peering up at him from under my cap, he appeared older, his hair graying at his temples and wrinkles setting in on his face. His wings were a deep brown, and he wore the usual dark attire of the Northern army—except that he wore a broach with the Heartshirefamilycrest on it. Being the symbol of the North as a whole, those who wore the crest were only thosewhohad earned it.
That meant the male before me waslikely anarmy captain—a lieutenant, at the least.
“Did you not hear me clearly? Why aren’t you with the others?” The male took a threatening step forward, the doorhe’dcome through still wide open behind him.
I had options, ones that I ran through as quickly as I could. I could try to answer him, but my voice alone would give me away as a female, and my cover would be blown. If I tried to rush him and attack now, with the distance between us,he’dhave enough time to fly away or call for help.
So, it looked like it was time for a littleacting.
I took a loud breath, as though I was going to answer, then forced myself into a coughing fit. I doubled over, hiding my face further and my eyes that could give me away. I knew the type of males my father would appoint as higher ups in his army—those that were ruthless and cold-hearted—and I doubted my twin had gone back on any of our father’s decisions.
And I could use that knowledge to my advantage.
I stumbled forward, still coughing and taking heaving gulps of air into my lungs.
“Something wrong with you, fledgling?”the male asked, using the termfledglingin a demeaning way—a way to display my younger age and his superiority.
As I gasped for breath, I leaned against the wall of the watchtower next to us.Fortunately,I’dstumbled forward just far enough toaccomplishwhat I had in mind.
