[table][row][cell][img]https://i.imgur.com/ADdFNTM.png[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240504/7ea89157aa7490b85c1faa2a61df7e74.png[/img][/cell][/row]
[row][cell][sub]Location: Northwestern Residential Area[/sub][/cell][/row][/table]The closer Elara and Eris drew to the royal estate, the thicker the guard presence became. Kira slowed her pace before eventually stopping altogether, unwilling to get caught up in their increasing activity. Pulling up her hood, she melted into the shadows of the treeline, trying to keep out of view. She had no interest in lingering near the royals’ home, but she remained long enough to watch Elara slip inside with the Sage—long enough to ensure nothing else lurking in the dark took notice of her first.

Only then did she shift, moving into the quiet residential streets to position herself on the opposite side of the estate.  

Leaning against a tree near a flickering torchlight, Kira settled into her post. Hidden in plain sight, she made no effort to conceal herself—simply another figure taking a rest in the cold. She watched the guards fan out in disciplined patterns, carving paths through the deep snow, and lighting the edge of the forest with lanterns that sent shadows scattering. It was an impressive display of order, but one Kira had no interest in being part of. Not anymore, anyway. 

Snow gathered atop her hood as time stretched on, layering itself over her as she stood motionless. Her breath remained slow, steady, visible in the frigid air. 

After some time, she saw the Sage re-emerge in a rush. Kira tracked Eris' movements as she rushed toward the town square, her urgency plain. For a moment, curiosity tugged at her. Whatever was happening beyond the estate’s walls had set Eris moving with uncommon speed. But she let it pass, remaining in place, content to let Hightower reach her destination alone.

After a few minutes, the sharp sound of three alarm bells pierced through the still night air. A warning. A summons to find shelter. 

Kira wrinkled her nose in distaste. The sound was a clear sign that she should probably get inside—lest the guards take notice of her lingering presence and start asking questions. The thought of being interrogated was a mild nuisance at best, but there was another thought, darker and more primal. [color=DC561E]‘[i]And if they came alone?[/i]’[/color]

An easy snack. A chance to satisfy the thing stirring, irritated, beneath her skin.

She shoved the thought down before it could take hold. Instead, her gaze remained locked on the royal residence in the distance. Something rooted her here, something far less dismissible than idle curiosity. Instinct. Hunger. 

She had let her meal slip into that home, and though she had no intention of acting on the impulse, the knowledge of it held her in place. The predator inside was still awake, still aware, waiting to see if its prey would return into the night. Patient as ever. 

Time continued its slow, steady march, and Kira remained, still as a statue. She watched not only the estate, but everything. She tracked the guards movements, the paths they created, the orders they followed. With every passing second, she committed their routes to memory—not out of necessity, but habit.

Hearing movement, her eyes flicked to her right. A guard, trudging through the snow, pulling someone along by the hand. Kira focused, narrowing her gaze. It took only a second to recognize the figure in his grip. Lady Hightower, returning not longer after she had gone. 

Her brow lifted slightly. Eris’ heart was hammering in her chest, an anxious rhythm that carried across the snow. Odd. The Sage had always been skittish in Kira’s presence, but never like this.

[color=DC561E]‘[i]Something’s wrong.[/i]’[/color]

Kira didn’t move, didn’t reveal herself—just observed, quiet as the shadows themselves.

The guard released the Sage once they reached a watchtower, stepping away and leaving her behind. But Eris didn’t move. Didn’t run. Yet, Kira could still hear her heart pounding frantically. 

Her fingers twitched at her side, but her attention split the moment she heard a door open.

Her head snapped toward the royal residence. Elara. 

Kira’s brows pulled together. She hadn’t been inside long, and yet there she was again, stepping back into the night. Kira tilted her head slightly, watching as Elara seemingly dismissed her guards. 

A slow, disappointed exhale left her lips. Sending them away was foolish. 

The predator stirred, unfurling like a shadow across her mind. Malicious excitement poured into the hollows of her chest, filling all the empty space that Elara had carved. 

Her entire nervous system sparked to life, but Kira remained unmoving, almost afraid to take a single step away from the base of the tree. 

Her gaze darted between the two situations before her. Eris and the guard. Elara and the darkened path leading away from the royal estate. 

Her eyes found Elara once more. Pupils dilated. She took a step forward. 

[color=FA8072]“Oy, you heard the bell?”[/color]

Kira went still, a sharp spike of anger cutting through her. Slowly, she turned, her fiery gaze locking onto the guard who had dared to interrupt her. She said nothing, only seared him with a glare that she wished could have reduced him to cinders.

[color=FA8072]“Get inside. That’s what it means. What you hanging ‘round for then?”[/color]

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[sub][b]Mentions:[/b] Elara [@Qia], Aliseth [@Dark Light][/sub]