#Chapter 71: A Father Falls

The fires at our borders mysteriously died down as quickly as they had ignited. Warriors returning from the eastern perimeter reported that the rogue forces had abruptly withdrawn—vanishing into the darkness as if their attack had been nothing but a distraction. "It doesn't make sense," I said to Kane as we stood in the command center. Dawn was breaking, casting long shadows across the maps and tactical displays. "Why, once again, coordinate such a massive attack only to retreat?" Kane's expression darkened. "Because the attack wasn't the objective. Like with what happened at Swift River, this was meant to be a diversion." “A diversion for what?” I questioned. Just then, Elena burst into the command center, her usually perfect appearance disheveled and her face pale with panic. "Aurora, Kane—we have to leave for Silver Lake immediately." My blood turned to ice at her expression. "What's happened?" "Marcus's condition has deteriorated rapidly overnight," she said, her voice