The words hung in the air, heavier than the smoke that drifted through the window slits.
Edward's finger stopped mid-trace on the map. Anastasia turned from the window, her crimson eyes sharpening. Even Reina's tail went still.
"Martial law," Edward repeated slowly, as if tasting the words for poison. "You're certain?"
"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't."
I met his gaze, held it. There was no hesitation in me, not about this. The duchy was bleeding out one soldier at a time, one bullet at a time, one beast at a time. We couldn't keep fighting this war the same way and expect a different result.
Especially now that they seem to have developed a smarter strategy.
