~Kaida Orion POV~
The vault doors slammed without warning and I stumbled back, heart erupting in panic. The chest lid cracked open, but before I registered it fully, armored agents came from hidden side corridors...vine-scribe seals on their sleeves, faces obscured, as they moved fast.
Lupus's chest thudded on the floor, and the swing of golden steel entries echoed in the chamber. Biat drew a dagger and stood before me, warning.
"They trapped us," he hissed.
I pressed my heel into the chest, blocking the lid, root seal pressed tight to crown stone. The agents snarled.
"What do you want?" I demanded, chest tight.
One of them pushed forward, vine-green sash flag rippling. "Registrar says we voided the bond, you breached registry protocol." Their face was hidden; only pale eagerness showed.
"Registrar?" I repeated. "He was loyal to the crown, until he changed allegiance."
Biat's hand hit my arm. "We need to move before they overwhelm."
