Chapter 93: Embers Of War

The sun crept over the horizon, casting a pale orange glow across the battered landscape. 

The Resistance safehouse was quiet, the silence thick with exhaustion and anticipation.

Emily stood near the edge of the perimeter, hands resting on her belt as she watched the first light of dawn. 

The battle had been won—but the war wasn't over.

Behind her, the door creaked open. Footsteps approached.

Damien.

He came to stand beside her, arms crossed. "Didn't think you'd be up already."

Emily smirked faintly. "Didn't sleep."

"Yeah." He exhaled. "None of us did."

She turned to him, noting the faint bruises on his face, the tired set of his shoulders.

 They had all been running on fumes for days, barely holding together.

And now, with Hale finally captured, they were faced with a different kind of battle—the one that came after.

"How's Voss?" she asked.