"Second plan confirmed. Target changed to City A."
The distorted voice disappeared beneath another burst of static, but the words it had spoken remained in the silent valley.
Chu Miao tightened her fingers around the radio.
Ye Xuan moved closer and placed one hand against the small of her back. The gesture appeared simple, but the warmth of his palm steadied the worry that had risen inside her.
Their family was in City A.
Their sect, disciples, friends, and most of the survivors they had fought to protect were there too.
Ye Xuan felt the tension in her body and assured her, "City A is not unprotected."
"I know."
"We will warn them before the enemy can act."
Chu Miao turned to look at him. The shallow wound on his shoulder had almost closed, but dried blood still covered part of his torn shirt, while several black stains marked the rest of his clothes.
