Zara's breath formed faint clouds in the frozen air as she adjusted her leather harness. The crimson of her sweater stood out vividly against the monochrome of the snow-covered forest, yet she moved as if she belonged to the shadows themselves. Silence enveloped the group—Liv, Davis, and the others—huddled behind her, their breaths short and cautious.
The previous raid on the supply depot had rattled the King's forces, but Zara knew retaliation would come. The question was when—and where.
"We camp here for the night," Zara murmured, her voice calm but decisive. She scanned the area, every detail of her surroundings cataloged: the frost clinging to branches, the soft crunch of boots, the unnatural quiet. "Davis, set traps to the east. Liv, keep watch on the ridge."
Liv's brow furrowed. "You're expecting trouble?"
Zara's dark eyes flickered with a knowing glint. "Always."
As night fell, the group gathered around a small, well-hidden fire. The faint crackle of burning twigs broke the quiet, offering a fragile comfort. Zara sat slightly apart, her gloved hands resting on her knees as she listened to the wind shift. It carried a subtle hum—one she knew too well.
"Get down," she hissed. Her team dropped instinctively as Zara grabbed her sidearm. Shadows began to move beyond the treeline—figures cloaked in black with their grotesque masks glinting faintly under the pale moonlight.
"They've found us," Davis muttered, panic seeping into his voice.
"Quiet," Zara snapped softly, her expression steely. She motioned for Liv and Riley to flank left while she crawled forward, her movements deliberate and fluid. From behind a snow-covered log, Zara counted six figures stalking toward their position.
Amateurs would panic, she thought. I'll make them regret following us.
A single shot rang out, shattering the quiet. Zara's bullet found its mark—one enforcer crumpled into the snow. Shouts erupted as the rest of the group broke into formation, firing blindly in response. Zara kept low, her tactical instincts leading her through the chaos.
"Riley! Smoke out the flank!" she ordered.
A small canister hissed as it rolled toward the advancing enemies, smoke exploding into thick clouds. Zara slipped into the fog, reappearing like a phantom behind two of the enforcers. Her blade flashed, quick and merciless.
"Liv, now!" Zara called out. Liv's rifle cracked as another figure fell, their cry muffled by the snowfall.
It ended as quickly as it began. The final enforcer turned to flee, but Zara stepped into his path, her weapon trained on his chest. The man froze, his mask reflecting Zara's cold expression.
"Go," she whispered darkly. "Tell the King what happens when he hunts us."
The enforcer stumbled back into the shadows, disappearing into the night. Zara lowered her weapon and turned to her team, the faintest hint of exhaustion in her eyes.
"This fight isn't over," she said softly, the snow falling heavier now. "It's just beginning."