The bronze tracking compass in Claire Vance’s palms gave three rapid, metallic clicks before dawn.
Across the circular face of the instrument, Ancestor Vesper’s crimson marker was flaring with erratic, needle-thin pulses. Twelve miniature black shadows were detaching from the central dot, moving rapidly through the deep subterranean layer of the continental shelf toward Void Lotus Isle.
Claire did not waste time calling a general alarm.
She walked straight into the quiet grotto, holding the compass out so the faint golden telemetry runes illuminated the stone ceiling.
“Kaelen,” Claire said, keeping her voice low and even. “Ancestor Vesper has dispatched his Void-Walker Assassins. Twelve shadow specialists capable of phasing through solid granite.”
Kaelen Vance did not open his eyes from beneath his quilted blanket. “Are they carrying broadswords?”
“No,” Claire replied, reading the telemetry glyphs. “No weapons. No explosive talismans. Their spiritual cores are loaded with an acoustic Dao Biohazard. They intend to materialize inside this cavern and whisper the Soul-Severing Dao Mantra directly into your ears.”
Kaelen let out a long, suffering sigh that ruffled his linen blindfold.
