Chapter 158

Simon POV The night air pressed heavy against my skin as if the earth itself was holding its breath. I kept my gaze locked on the prisoner kneeling before us. His wrists were bound, but the way he held his shoulders told me this wasn’t some starving rogue scavenging for scraps. No. This was a man trained to fight, to endure, and to obey. And when I turned, I caught the flicker in Aisha’s eyes. Recognition. Fear she tried to bury, but I knew her too well. I stepped closer, my voice low but edged with steel. “You know that emblem. What does it mean” Her lips parted, then closed again. She shook her head once, a gesture too quick, too rehearsed. I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t lie to me. Not now. Not when my people are bleeding at the borders.” Before she could answer, Renik cut in, his tone clipped and impatient. “We don’t have time for riddles, Simon. Pull the guards back, double the southern patrol, and fortify the ridge. We will deal with riddles later.” I pivoted on him, keeping my voice