Chapter 45. Poison at the Border

The room still reeked of dark magic. The shadows clung to the stone walls like wet ash, pulsing with the energy of the curse Lila had just birthed. The cauldron had gone still, its contents sealed within a small black pouch—soft as velvet, but soaked in malice.

Zara stepped forward, careful not to breathe too deeply. The air felt sharp now, like it could cut her lungs.

Lila held out the pouch, her fingers glowing faintly with residual power. “Give this to your spies,” she said, her voice cool and commanding. “They know what to do.”

Zara nodded, her eyes fixed on the pouch. It looked harmless… but she could feel it—something vile and crawling twisted inside it. She took it with both hands, swallowing back the unease tightening her throat.

Outside, beneath the blood moon’s glow, three cloaked figures waited in silence near the edge of the fortress. They knelt as Zara approached, their heads bowed low. They were shadows themselves—silent, invisible, loyal only t