FAREWELL LOUIS

LORD LOUIS POV

Earlier in the day the guard from Sith Castle had arrived with news from Sith Castle and I sensed that It had to do with Lord Niko, Silas, Talon, and Cedric as they had left Sith Castle to deal with the threat of Bran Fortress, the blood creatures, and the secret vampire army. 

"Lord Sith," he said, bowing his head slightly. "Lord Niko, Silas, and Talon have returned. They've successfully averted the danger from Bran Fortress."

I stared at him for a moment, letting the words sink in. Bran Fortress—a name looming over us like a dark cloud for weeks. The threat it posed, the forces gathering there, had been at the forefront of every strategy session, every sleepless night. And now, suddenly, the news I hadn't dared to hope for had arrived.

I let out a slow breath, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over me. "They're back?" I repeated as if saying it aloud would make it more real.