Selene Cross had been halfway through the alleys when the first horns blared. The alarm rattled the air like rolling thunder. People streamed past her in panic. Her lazy, regal stroll broke into a sprint as she bolted. Her destination was the home that the Cross family was given in this place.
The door was unfastened when she arrived. Inside, she found her father, Malachai, in the middle of tugging on his mage robes. The man's brow was slick with sweat despite his composed movements. Beside him, her mother wrung her hands as though that would stop the tremors in her voice.
"What's happening? What's going on? Is the stronghold falling? They told us to come here because it would be safer than Braedon!"
"I don't know, woman! I was sleeping when the alarms sounded. How would I know more than you do?!" Malachai snapped while fastening his belt.
