The dim glow of a single oil lamp flickered in the cramped safe house as Mara carefully bandaged Jalen's wound. His face was pale, but his eyes remained fierce with resolve.
Lyra sat nearby, sharpening her dagger, her brow furrowed. The tension in the room was thick—everyone knew the stakes.
"Mara," Jalen whispered, voice strained. "I saw someone at the warehouse—someone we trusted. It wasn't just an attack; it was a setup."
Mara's eyes widened. "Who? Who did you see?"
Jalen hesitated, then whispered a name. "Elias. I saw him lurking in the shadows, watching us. I thought he was on our side."
Lyra's grip tightened on her dagger. "Elias? Are you sure? He's been with us since the beginning."
Mara's mind raced. Elias was a skilled spy, but could he be the traitor? Or was he being forced to act against them?
Suddenly, a faint sound outside caught their attention—a soft tapping, deliberate and steady.
Mara moved silently to the door, peering through a crack. Shadows flickered beyond, enemies patrolling nearby.
"We don't have much time," she whispered. "If Elias is involved, we need to find out quickly. But how?"
Lyra looked up, her eyes sharp. "There's a way. We can infiltrate their communication hub—the old watchtower on the outskirts. If we can intercept their messages, we'll know who's betraying us."
Jalen nodded weakly. "It's risky. But it might be our only shot."
Mara clenched her fists. "Then that's where we're going. Tonight."
As the three prepared to leave, Mara felt a pang of doubt. Trust was breaking apart, and the truth was buried deeper than she had ever imagined. But she knew one thing for certain—she had to find the traitor, no matter the cost.
The night's shadows hid secrets—and danger—more deadly than ever.