Ashley barely spoke for the rest of the day.

  Her mind was tangled in the revelation that Marion—Coleen’s own cousin—was from the same bloodline that had betrayed Crescent Moon.

  Did Coleen know all along? Or had he just found out?

  The thought of Marion working with the hunters made Ashley’s stomach churn. She had believed Marion was just jealous of her, but this was far more dangerous than petty rivalry. Marion wasn’t just against her—she was actively helping the enemy.

  Ashley needed to be careful. She couldn’t trust anyone.

  As night fell, she made her way back to her room, her thoughts swirling like a storm. But the moment she stepped inside, she froze.

  A figure stood in the shadows by her window.

  Ashley’s heart slammed against her ribs.

  Then, the figure moved forward, stepping into the dim moonlight.

  Coleen.

  His silver eyes locked onto hers, unreadable as always.

  "You were in the archives," he said.

  Ashley crossed her arms, trying to hide her nerves. "And you were watching me."

  Coleen didn’t deny it.

  "You found out the truth about Marion," he said. "Didn’t you?"

  Ashley clenched her fists. "You knew."

  Coleen’s gaze darkened. "I suspected."

  "Then why didn’t you stop her?" she snapped. "She’s working with the hunters! She’s been feeding them information. She—"

  "I know," Coleen cut in, his voice dangerously quiet.

  Ashley’s anger faltered. Then why hadn’t he acted?

  She took a deep breath. "Coleen, she’s going to betray you too. You think she’s only after me, but the hunters don’t just want me. They want all of us dead. Your entire kingdom. Marion isn’t helping them out of jealousy—she’s doing it because her family has always sided with the enemy."

  Coleen’s jaw tightened.

  "I need proof," he muttered.

  Ashley nearly laughed in disbelief. "Proof? You need proof? What more do you need, Coleen? The hunters are inside the kingdom. They have spies. That drug they made—it’s not just a weapon. It’s already in Astravel, and it’s keeping your people weak."

  Coleen’s expression remained cold, but Ashley saw a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

  He knew she was right.

  Ashley stepped closer. "You feel it too, don’t you?" she said. "This pull between us. You know what it means."

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  Coleen’s body stiffened.

  His silver eyes flashed with something—a fleeting moment of recognition.

  Then, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

  "I don’t know what you’re talking about," he said coolly.

  Liar.

  Ashley’s fists clenched. "You can pretend all you want, Coleen. But you know exactly why you trust me, even when you don’t want to."

  Coleen said nothing.

  But his silence was answer enough.

  Ashley didn’t sleep.

  She couldn’t.

  By dawn, she had made a decision.

  If Coleen refused to act, she would do it herself.

  She was done hiding.

  She needed to find out exactly how Marion was communicating with the hunters.

  So that night, Ashley did something reckless.

  She followed Marion.

  She waited until Marion left the castle and then trailed her through the marketplace, keeping to the shadows. The streets were quiet, the air thick with the scent of rain.

  Marion moved quickly, her cloak pulled over her head. She passed the merchant stalls, slipped into an alleyway, and then—vanished.

  Ashley frowned. Where had she gone?

  Carefully, she crept forward, scanning the alley. There. A narrow passage hidden between two stone buildings.

  Ashley pressed herself against the wall and peered inside.

  What she saw made her blood run cold.

  Marion wasn’t alone.

  She stood before a hooded man, his voice barely audible. Ashley couldn’t make out the words, but she saw the flash of a silver dagger in his hand.

  A hunter.

  Ashley’s pulse pounded. This was it. This was proof.

  She just needed to get closer.

  She took a slow step forward—

  And stepped on a loose stone.

  It clattered loudly.

  Marion and the hunter whipped around.

  Ashley’s breath caught.

  Run.

  She turned and bolted, sprinting down the alley as fast as she could. Behind her, she heard footsteps—pursuing, fast.

  She couldn’t lead them back to the castle. She needed to lose them.

  Ashley darted through the streets, weaving between buildings until she reached the city’s outer walls. No way out.

  The footsteps grew louder.

  Then—a shadow moved in the darkness.

  And suddenly, Ashley was yanked into an alley.

  A strong arm wrapped around her, a hand covering her mouth. She struggled, thrashing—until she recognized the scent.

  Coleen.

  His grip loosened as Marion and the hunter ran past, not seeing them in the shadows.

  Only when the streets were silent again did Coleen finally let her go.

  Ashley spun to face him, her heart hammering. "You were following me?"

  Coleen crossed his arms. "You’re reckless."

  Ashley glared. "And you’re a coward."

  Coleen’s eyes darkened, but he didn’t lash out. He just exhaled sharply and said, "Come with me."

  Before Ashley could argue, Coleen grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the night.

  Coleen led her to a hidden chamber beneath the castle—a war room.

  Torches flickered on the stone walls, maps and battle plans covering the massive wooden table. Ashley realized with a start that this wasn’t new.

  Coleen had been preparing for war.

  He turned to face her. "Tell me everything you heard."

  Ashley hesitated. "I thought you didn’t trust me."

  Coleen’s gaze hardened. "I don’t trust anyone. But if Marion really is working with the hunters, then we have a problem. And if you’re telling the truth about the drug weakening our people…"

  He clenched his fists. "Then we’re already losing this war."

  Ashley exhaled. "So what are you going to do?"

  Coleen’s silver eyes gleamed.

  "We stop playing defense," he said. "We hunt the hunters."

  Ashley felt a slow, dangerous smile curve her lips.

  It was about time.