Vol.3/Chapter 15: The Road Home

Luca’s POV

The early morning mist clung to the garden paths like a soft blanket of memory. Dew shimmered on every leaf as if nature itself wept quietly at our departure. Today, we were leaving Lady Elena’s manor — not for battle, not yet, but to return home. To our tribe, to the place where Theo and I were raised, the place where the roots of everything began.

Marquis stood with his signature stillness, raven perched on his shoulder. His eyes scanned the horizon as if already plotting ten moves ahead.

“This is where we part ways, for now,” he said. “I will begin my preparations for the infiltration. The ravens shall carry your progress to me. You must return to the tribe, gather your strength… and your answers.”

I nodded, uncertain whether to bow or salute, so I simply placed my hand over my heart. “Thank you, Marquis. For everything.”

He nodded once more and vanished into a shimmer of shadow.

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