The message arrived at midnight.
Theron's agent, Sable, burst into the intelligence office with snow on her shoulders and fire in her eyes. Her cloak was frozen stiff. Her lips were cracked from the cold. But her voice was clear.
"We found her. Kira Voss. She's being held in an abandoned watchtower near the eastern border, twenty miles from Elowen's provincial seat."
Theron was on his feet in an instant. The chair crashed backward against the stone floor. "Guards. Horses. Now."
Kael appeared in the doorway, drawn by the commotion. He had been patrolling the corridors, unable to sleep. His hand was already on his sword.
"What's happening?"
"Voss's daughter. We have a location." Theron grabbed his coat from the hook and buckled his crossbow across his back. "I'm leading the rescue."
"Like hell you are." Kael was already buckling his sword belt, his movements quick and efficient. "I'm going with you. You're a spy, not a soldier. You'll get yourself killed."
