Chapter 73: Prisoners
The morning was quiet—too quiet.
Nyra walked ahead of the group, dressed in her formal foxkin robes. Soft silks flowed around her hips, hiding the bruises Fina had left on her inner thighs. Her expression was calm, composed... but Allen saw the tension in her jaw, the way her hands trembled just slightly at her sides. She was rattled—and trying hard to pretend she wasn’t.
Behind her walked Allen, Fina, and Rinni. They kept their heads low and their steps quiet, blending in like her retinue. But under the surface, the truth crackled like lightning ready to strike.
They were walking into the foxkin’s filthiest secret—and about to blow the whole system apart.
As they reached the outer district, a pair of foxkin guards stepped into their path. Armor polished, spears in hand, tails flicking with mild curiosity.
One of them raised a brow. "Lady Nyra," he said with a nod, "where are you headed? And... with these three?"
Allen met the guard’s eyes with a calm, practiced smirk, playing it cool. Fina stood just a little behind Nyra, her expression unreadable. Rinni looked nervous but kept her gaze down.
Nyra didn’t flinch. Her voice came out steady—too steady.
"I’m escorting them to the old Moon Shrine," she said smoothly. "It’s for an inspection. Elder yoru’s order."
The guards exchanged a quick look. "Didn’t hear anything about that."
Nyra’s gaze narrowed, just a sliver of her old fire slipping back in. "Because it wasn’t your business to hear. You’ll stand down and let us pass."