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They were completely engulfed by the night.

As she guided her squad into the dense underbrush of the eastern ravine, Thalia glided like a shadow, taking careful steps. Except for the sound of the wind rustling through skeletal branches, the woodland was eerily still. Ahead, a slender dirt road led to the last known location of the convoy. The slight smell of perspiration, leather, and steel filled the air—Orion's soldiers were not far away.

She signaled a stop with a raised hand. Behind her, the warriors froze and vanished into the night. Ryker crouched next to her, looking down at the gully where distant torches bobbed.

"There," he whispered. "The convoy of Matthias."

The road was lined with a dozen strongly guarded wagons. The dark-armored soldiers of Orion moved in groups. Their caution was insufficient. At least thirty of them, according to Thalia. Crates with food, guns, and medical supplies were piled high on the supply wagons. Everything Orion required to keep his army alive during the siege.

Kiera squatted on the opposite side of Thalia, her daggers shining in the dim darkness. "You made the right decision to alter the strategy. This convoy is more than simply a backup. Her eyes become piercing. "This is what keeps them alive."

Thalia's mouth clenched. "We then ensure that they never get to Orion."

Dain became tight at a rustling sound to their left. There was another presence, someone near, and Thalia smelled it sharply. She spun around quickly, as someone stepped out of the darkness.

A boy. lean, with a focus on speed over strength. He seemed like someone who was familiar with the trees. His dark eyes darted back and forth between them, evaluating.

"I didn't anticipate arriving in time." Adjusting the twin blades strapped to his belt, he grinned. "My name is Aldric. I've heard that you might require further assistance.

Kiera's face grew serious. "You're running late."

"The patrols are to blame," Aldric retorted. "They're more vigilant than normal."

Thalia looked at him. He exuded an air of someone accustomed to moving in and out of places without being detected. "You work as a scout?"

"More like an expert in... disturbances." Aldric smiled. "Anything that gets the job done—distractions, sabotage, or explosives."

Ryker scowled. "We didn't anticipate reinforcements."

Aldric's hands were extended wide. "You also didn't anticipate a traitor among your ranks."

There was silence between them.

He was not trusted by Thalia. Not quite yet. They needed every advantage, though, if Kiera was correct about the convoy's significance.

"All right," she said. "Show that you're worth the chance." She looked around at the others. "We divided into three groups. Go to the high ridge, Ryker, and kill the archers before they see us. You manage the carts, Kiera and Dain—turn off the horses and make sure nothing moves. Aldric. She looked at him. "You claimed to be involved in sabotage?"

Aldric grinned more broadly. "Tell me what needs to be ruined."

Thalia's mouth twisted a little. "Burn everything."

Ryker's expression briefly changed to one of approval. Kiera just gave a nod.

With his eyes fixed on the convoy like a tiger observing its prey, Ashen, who had been silent up until this point, turned to Thalia. "I'll handle Matthias with you."

Ashen had a sardonic grin. "Now, that's my favorite part."

Now that they had a plan, they took action.

Ryker vanished into the treetops with his archers. Soon after, the gentle twang of bowstrings reverberated through the darkness, and then there were muted thuds as Orion's sentries fell, one by one.

Kiera and Dain slipped over to the wagons. A sword slicing through harnesses with a low hiss. The horses gave a quiet, restless whinnie.

Quick as a shadow, Aldric sprang forward. In a matter of minutes, the subtle aroma of oil permeated the atmosphere. He worked quickly.

Ashen and Thalia made their way to the center of the convoy, where Matthias was yelling commands.

He was a broad-shouldered, battle-hardened warrior who was a mountain of a guy. The mark of Orion's elite was visible on his armor. With their hands on their swords, two guards stood on either side of him.

Ashen's voice was hardly audible. There are two on the left. Do you take them?

Thalia nodded, her dagger gleaming.

Like lightning, they struck.

A soldier's slight gasp as Thalia's blade struck its target was heard in a flurry of movement. Before the second man could catch his breath, Ashen took him down.

Matthias's features twisted into a snarl as he turned. "What—"

Before he could say anything more, Thalia was on him.

They clashed blades. She was faster, but he was stronger. She dodged the blow as he reached for her ribs. A curse was drawn as her dagger slashed across his arm.

Thalia snarled, "He's mine," as Ashen stepped forward to assist.

Matthias sprang forward. An error. She moved to the side and stabbed him in the side. His eyes flashed with rage as he staggered.

He growled, "You fight like a wolf without a pack."

The blade was twisted by Thalia. "Then you have no idea what a true wolf is."

Matthias fell to the ground. As the light drained from his eyes, Thalia released her dagger.

Kiera's signal was a piercing whistle that pierced the air. The act of sabotage was finished.

“Drop back!” Thalia gave the order.

As Aldric's fire grew, they disappeared into the trees. The night was filled with the smell of charred materials and burning wood as smoke billowed. Ash was all that remained of Orion's lifeline.

However, they were still in danger.

The night air was pierced by a startling, angry howl—a warning scream. The bodies had been discovered by one of Orion's sentries.

Thalia muttered an expletive. "Go more quickly."

They dashed through the undergrowth, jumping over fallen logs and avoiding low-hanging branches. The thumping of boots was followed by cries of terror behind them.

"They're following us," Ryker said in front of them.

Aldric cursed. "We're done if they get a visual."

Thalia's thoughts whirled. If Orion's warriors had good trackers, they would follow their scent because the trees weren't dense enough to lose them.

She took hold of Aldric's arm. "You have explosives on you?"

His eyes glowed with comprehension. "A couple. Sufficient for a diversion.

"Take action."

Aldric's hands moved quickly as he slid to a stop. He ignited a tiny charge, threw it into a clump of parched leaves, and then—

Boom.

Despite being controlled, the explosion was loud enough to cause Orion's soldiers to pause. Smoke clouds rose into the air as flames blazed.

"Leave!" Thalia yelled.

Orion's forces scrambled behind them as they ripped through the woodland and vanished into the night.

Thalia took a final look back as they approached the security of their own camp.

This loss would be felt by Orion.

And he would be able to pinpoint the particular culprit.

Her lips formed a gentle smile. Let him rage.

This was just the start.