he salty air clung to Cassandra's skin as she approached the towering gates of Valerian's stronghold, her every step calculated and deliberat

uldn't trust. But she couldn't afford to dwell on that. Valerian's empire was vast, and every moment she hesitated was a moment close

r eyes scanning the shadows, as if they knew someone like her might be lurking. But Cassandra had spent

nhaling the pungent scent of the liquid inside. It was a mix of vampire magic, designed t

of the guards was too close, his flashlight beam brushing past her just a hair's breadth a

he faint silhouette of the structure ahead, a foreboding presence looming in the night. But she wasn't

nst the cold brick wall. She couldn't see any windows on this side, but she knew th

e right tools. She reached into her bag, her fingers brushing over the familiar picks. It didn't take long

he air. Cassandra's senses were on high alert now. Every sound felt amplified-every footstep, every creak of the b

something chilling about this place, something that set her on edge, but she couldn't afford to be d

ng as she tried to stay focused on the task at hand. The vault room was just ahead. She could

rned the corn

ons unreadable, their weapons at the ready. They hadn'

sandra knew that this was her only chance to stop Valerian. If she hesitated, the rebelli

of the guards in a single, precise strike. The other reacted quickly, reaching for his weapon, but he was too sl

sweat from her brow. The danger was far

in there? Whatever it was, she was about to find out. But as her han

lly the righ

n inside was more dangerous than she realized? What if it was something

The rebellion was counting on her.

he had stolen from one of Valerian's lower-le

e center of it all, there it was-an object that seemed to pulse with an eerie, unnatural glow. It was

ouch it-but before she could make con

. What do w