Key 5

Lilith shook her head, her expression tinged with frustration. 

"You need to be more careful, Even Lucifer, the King of Hell himself, had allies. Do you think he built his empire alone? No matter how strong someone is, there's always a limit. "

Reign shook his head, crossing his arms. "I'm not underestimating anyone. Just being realistic." 

"That's the problem," she countered, her tone sharpening.

"There's news of a massive force from Tempest Fort coming to Green Valley. The longer we wait, the worse it's going to get. You can't just dismiss this." 

Reign remained adamant,. "I don't care. Let them come. I'll deal with them when the time comes."

This wasn't his usual confidence. There was something off about how stubbornly he was resisting her warnings. 

'He's stalling,' she realized, 'because he wants those girls safe and out of the city.'