But it didn't last long.
Downstairs, the boys were already waiting. They looked sharper now, like people with a mission. Even John had cleaned up and seemed more grounded. Only Ekene kept stealing quiet glances at Nnenna when he thought no one noticed.
They regrouped outside the hotel.
Abuchi's voice was steady. "We move now. We do everything we planned. No mistakes."
Karen nodded. "Let's finish what we started."
Nnenna exhaled, her mind calculating every detail, routes, backup plans, what they might face. But still, she couldn't stop the quiet thrum of fear in her chest.
As they turned and blended back into the Purlit crowd, one thought echoed in all their minds:
This is it.
In the castle not far from the hotel where the School of Five had lodged, a man burst urgently into the throne room, his footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor.
"Your Majesty," he panted, bowing low with sweat clinging to his brow, "some suspicious people have entered the kingdom."
