Chapter 25: The Shadow of Pursuit

Karima pressed her back against the damp stone wall, steadying her breath as the High Council's enforcers patrolled the alleyway ahead. Their presence had grown more relentless in the past few weeks, their pursuit of her tightening like a noose. Haytham had warned her that they would not stop until she was either captured or dead. She had no intention of giving them either.

"We need to move," Haytham whispered beside her, his dark eyes scanning the shifting shadows. The moonlight barely illuminated his face, but she could see the tension in his jaw. He had been more restless lately, more protective, though he would never admit it outright.

"They're getting better at tracking us," Karima murmured, tightening her grip on the ring hidden beneath her glove. Its power pulsed faintly against her skin, a constant reminder of the burden she carried. She still hadn't mastered it, not fully. And if she let it control her instead of the other way around, she would be just as dangerous as the High Council claimed.

Haytham gestured toward a gap between two crumbling buildings. "We go through there. Elysia's waiting with the supplies. We can't stay in the city much longer."

Karima nodded and moved swiftly, her boots barely making a sound against the cobbled street. The city of Argas had once been a place of wonder to her, a hub of trade and culture. Now it was a battlefield, with rebel forces scattered like embers, each one hoping to spark a larger fire against the Council's tyranny.

As they slipped through the narrow passage, the scent of damp wood and distant smoke filled her lungs. The weight of exhaustion pressed against her limbs, but she ignored it. There was no room for weakness.

Ahead, a figure in a hooded cloak awaited them near a stack of wooden crates. Elysia. The warrior's posture was rigid, her eyes sharp even in the dim light. She had aged since Karima had first met her, the weight of war leaving its mark in the lines on her face. But her strength had not diminished.

"Took you long enough," Elysia muttered, handing Karima a small satchel filled with dried rations and water flasks. "We don't have time to linger. The eastern gate is the only way out, but the enforcers have set up checkpoints."

Karima exchanged a glance with Haytham. "We'll need a distraction."

Elysia smirked. "Already handled. Corvin rigged one of their supply wagons to go up in flames. The moment it does, the guards will scatter. That's our window."

Karima exhaled, grateful for the rebel informant's cunning. "Then we move fast."

The three of them navigated the twisting backstreets, keeping to the shadows. Every step was a risk, every heartbeat a countdown to discovery. Karima's mind raced through contingencies—if they were caught, if the distraction failed, if she had to use the ring's power. She clenched her fists. Not unless absolutely necessary.

Then, as if summoned by thought, a deafening explosion shattered the quiet. Flames erupted in the distance, painting the night sky in shades of orange and red. The High Council's enforcers shouted, their disciplined ranks breaking apart in the chaos.

"Now!" Haytham urged.

They sprinted through the open street, their footsteps drowned out by the commotion. The eastern gate loomed ahead, the iron bars still raised as soldiers rushed toward the fire. Karima felt a flicker of hope—they could make it.

But hope was often fleeting.

From the right, a cloaked figure emerged, stepping into their path. The unmistakable silver insignia on his belt made Karima's stomach tighten. A High Council executor. Trained assassins, each one deadly beyond measure.

"Karima Crown," the man said, his voice smooth as polished steel. "You will come with me."

Haytham moved before she could react, drawing his blade in a fluid motion. "She's not going anywhere."

The executor barely glanced at him before lunging, his movements inhumanly fast. Haytham blocked the first strike, but the sheer force sent him stumbling back. Elysia leapt in, twin daggers flashing, forcing the assassin to pivot. Karima knew she should run, but something inside her refused to abandon them.

The ring pulsed again.

The executor's next move was aimed directly at her. Karima barely dodged, feeling the whisper of steel graze past her cheek. Instinct kicked in, and before she could stop herself, she willed the ring's power to life. A force unlike anything she had ever controlled surged outward, striking the assassin mid-motion. He flew backward, crashing against the stone wall with bone-crushing impact.

Silence followed. Even the distant shouts of soldiers seemed distant.

Haytham caught his breath, staring at her with something between awe and concern. Elysia, too, regarded her carefully. Karima clenched her fingers, feeling the ring's energy still humming beneath her skin. She had lost control, even if just for a second.

"Let's go," she said, forcing her voice steady.

They didn't argue. The gate was mere steps away, their freedom within reach. But as they passed through, Karima couldn't shake the executor's final expression. Not fear. Not pain.

But recognition.

And that was more dangerous than anything else.