Chapter 165: Shadows of Betrayal

The early morning mist clung to the cobbled streets as the traitor and the woman moved quietly through the narrow alleys of the capital. The city was still waking, unaware of the deadly conflict unfolding in the shadows. The traitor's heart raced, not from the exertion of the walk but from the anticipation of what lay ahead. They had spent years training for moments like this—missions of stealth, deception, and violence. Yet, today was different. Today, they were no longer the hunter but the prey.

The woman beside them moved silently, her eyes scanning every shadow. There was something about her that unsettled the traitor. She had proven herself to be an ally in the throne room, but her motivations were still unclear. Trust was a luxury they couldn't afford right now, yet they were bound to her by necessity.

"We're getting close," the traitor murmured, their breath visible in the cool morning air.

The woman nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. "Your contacts—are they trustworthy?"

The traitor hesitated. "As much as anyone in the Order can be trusted. They don't know I've turned, and they hate Isolde as much as we do. If we play this right, we can get the information we need without raising suspicion."

The woman's gaze remained steady. "Just remember, if something feels off, we pull out. We can't afford to be reckless."

They reached a small, unmarked building tucked between two larger shops. The windows were dark, and the door appeared ordinary, but the traitor knew better. This was one of the Order's many safehouses, a place where their agents could meet and exchange information without drawing attention.

The traitor knocked twice, then once more—a coded signal they hadn't used in months. There was a moment of silence before the door creaked open just enough for a pair of sharp eyes to peer out.

"Who's there?" a gruff voice asked, barely above a whisper.

The traitor stepped forward, keeping their voice low. "It's me. We need to talk."

The door opened wider, and the traitor stepped inside, followed closely by the woman. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of old wood and candle wax. A man sat at a small table, his face lined with age and suspicion. He eyed the traitor warily, his fingers drumming on the table.

"I didn't expect to see you back here," he said, his voice gravelly. "You've been quiet for a while."

The traitor forced a smile. "Had to lay low for a bit. Things got complicated."

The man's eyes flicked to the woman, then back to the traitor. "Who's she?"

"A friend," the traitor replied quickly, hoping the explanation would suffice.

The man leaned back in his chair, studying them both for a long moment before nodding. "Alright. What do you need?"

"We need to know what Isolde's planning next," the traitor said, their tone serious. "There's been a shift in the Order, and we need to know where the power lies now."

The man's expression darkened at the mention of Isolde. "She's making her move, that much is clear. After the chaos last night, she's doubling down. There's talk of a second strike on the palace, but she's playing it smart this time. No open attacks, nothing that can be traced back to her."

The woman leaned in slightly, her voice cold and calm. "What's her target?"

The man shrugged. "Rumor has it she's focusing on key figures in the city. People loyal to the king—those who might rally against her. She wants to cut the head off the snake before it can strike back."

The traitor's stomach tightened. Isolde was targeting the very people Jay was trying to protect. If they didn't act fast, the king's allies would be slaughtered in their own homes before they even knew they were in danger.

"Where are they planning to strike first?" the traitor asked urgently.

The man hesitated, glancing at the door as if someone might be listening. "I've only heard whispers, but the first target is someone close to the throne. Someone who holds a lot of influence."

The traitor's mind raced. It could be any number of people—key advisors, generals, or even someone in the royal family itself. They needed more information.

"Can you find out exactly who?" the traitor pressed, their voice tight with urgency.

The man frowned. "I can try, but it'll take time. The Order's on high alert after last night. People are being careful, and Isolde's keeping her inner circle close."

Time was something they didn't have. The traitor exchanged a quick glance with the woman, whose expression remained unreadable. They had come here hoping for answers, but all they had were more questions.

"We'll take whatever you can find," the woman said, standing up. "But hurry. We can't afford to wait long."

The man nodded, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Be careful," he warned. "Isolde's not just dangerous—she's paranoid. She'll be looking for anyone who steps out of line."

The traitor and the woman left the safehouse, the weight of the conversation hanging over them like a storm cloud. As they moved through the city streets, the traitor's mind whirled with possibilities. Whoever Isolde's target was, they were running out of time to stop her.

Back at the palace, Jay and Mira had spent the morning preparing for the next phase of their fight. The palace had been fortified, and trusted guards patrolled every corner. But Jay knew that the battle wouldn't be fought here, not yet. It would be fought in the shadows, where Isolde's influence still spread like poison through the veins of the city.

Mira stood beside him, her eyes scanning the map laid out on the table. "Do you think the traitor and the woman will come through?" she asked quietly.

Jay sighed, his fingers tracing the paths marked on the map. "I hope so. We don't have many options left."

Mira leaned against the table, her expression thoughtful. "And what if they don't? What if they're leading us into a trap?"

Jay's jaw tightened. It was a possibility he hadn't wanted to consider, but he couldn't ignore it any longer. "Then we deal with it when it comes. We can't let doubt paralyze us."

Just as he finished speaking, the door to the war room opened, and a breathless messenger rushed inside. "Sire, we have news!"

Jay straightened, his heart pounding. "What is it?"

The messenger's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear. "One of the king's closest advisors—he's dead. Murdered in his home last night."

Mira cursed under her breath, her fists clenching at her sides. "Isolde's already moving."

Jay's mind raced. This was the beginning of Isolde's next strike, and they were already behind. The Order wasn't wasting any time, and if they didn't act fast, more would follow.

"Get me a list of all the king's advisors, generals, and anyone else in his inner circle," Jay ordered. "We need to protect them before Isolde wipes them out."

The messenger nodded and hurried out of the room, leaving Jay and Mira standing in tense silence.

Mira turned to Jay, her expression hard. "We need to hit back. Hard. We can't let her keep doing this."

Jay's gaze darkened. "We will. But first, we need to know where she'll strike next."

As the morning wore on, Jay couldn't shake the sense of dread that gnawed at him. The battle was escalating, and they were running out of time to stop Isolde before her plan tore the kingdom apart.