Kael pushed the back door open, the hinges groaning under the weight. The room was modest, clearly someone's living quarters: an unmade bed pressed against one wall, a small wooden table with a chipped mug, and a few personal belongings scattered about.
On the table, a map of the city lay unrolled, circles drawn in thick red ink over guard posts, supply routes, and even the palace gates. Someone had been planning carefully.
"Where did you get the note again?" Kael asked, eyes sweeping over the maps.
"It was slipped under my door earlier," Jasmine replied, her voice tight.
"Read it to me again," Kael said, stepping closer, his gaze fixed on the maps as well as the scattered papers.
"The King's chosen was set up. Find the man responsible at this address tonight. Time is short. They are dangerous."
Kael's jaw tightened. "This… this is bigger than I thought."
"It looks like someone inside the castle is leaking information, and they set Lara up," Jasmine said, her voice trembling.
