Rebirth Of The Rejected Luna Chapter 211: On A Mission

Tiana's POV

We'd all been called to the war room for a nighttime meeting. The room felt colder and darker at night, with shadows stretching out like long fingers against the stone walls. The dim torchlight made them flicker and dance.

I stood near the entrance, trying to ignore the way some of the warriors still looked at me like I didn't belong. Commander Rhylen stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed and his eyes sharp.

"We've confirmed that one of the assassins survived," he said, his voice even and calm. "They were last seen near the lower district, but they're moving fast. If we don't catch them now, we'll lose them for good."

My grip on my arm tightened. That wasn't the only problem. Someone had helped the assassins escape, and that someone was still inside the palace walls.

"We'll ride out at dawn," Rhylen continued. "A small group, fast and quiet. We don't want to alert whoever is helping the assassins." I stayed quiet, waiting to see if I'd be included.

Then Rhylen said it: "Talia, you're going." I blinked in surprise. That wasn't what I'd expected. The room shifted and tensed, with some of the warriors looking surprised and others irritated.

They thought I was a risk, a wildcard. But no one spoke out against Rhylen's decision. Not yet. Rhylen kept going, listing the others who'd be joining the mission.

I forced my shoulders to relax. I'd fought to be included, hadn't I? So why did it feel like I was being set up?

*+*+*+*+*+*+*

"I don't trust this mission," Peter said, his voice low and serious. We were standing outside the war room, away from prying ears. His face was tense, his expression hard to read.

"You don't trust me?" I asked, crossing my arms. I felt a sting of hurt and defensiveness.

"That's not what I said," Peter replied, sighing. He ran a hand over his face, looking tired and worried. "Something's off. This wasn't Commander Rhylen's decision."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"I mean someone else pushed for you to be on this team," Peter said. My stomach twisted with unease.

"Who?" I demanded.

Peter hesitated. "I don't know. But think about it, Talia. Why now? Why, after all the suspicion and distrust, would they suddenly trust you enough to send you on this mission?"

It was a good question. A question that made my skin crawl. Before I could answer, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Someone was disappearing down the corridor.

I only saw him for a second, but that was enough. It was Caden, one of the warriors. One of the men who hadn't wanted me here. And he was carrying a sealed letter.

Our eyes met for a fraction of a second before he turned sharply and vanished down the hall. Peter cursed under his breath.

"I'll handle it," I said, already moving. I had a spy to catch.

"Wait, Talia—" Peter called after me.

"Later," I said, not looking back. I had to follow Caden and see where he was going.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

I followed Caden through the corridors, keeping to the shadows. He was walking fast, his head down, body tense. He knew what he was doing. He was heading toward the east wing—toward the old servant passageways.

A discreet exit.

He reached a door and glanced over his shoulder. I pressed myself against the wall, heart hammering. Then he pushed it open and stepped inside.

I moved.

Silent. Swift. I slipped in after him just as the door was closing.

Caden froze.

I didn’t hesitate. I slammed him into the wall, forearm pressed against his throat. His hand shot to his knife, but I was faster. My own blade was already against his ribs.

"Who are you working for?" I demanded.

His breath was ragged, his eyes darting wildly. "I—I'm not—"

"Don’t lie to me." I pressed harder. "The letter. Who was it for?"

Silence.

"You don’t understand," he rasped. "You think this is about the palace? About the king? It’s bigger than that."

Cold dread curled in my stomach.

"Then make me understand."

He let out a bitter laugh. "You’re already too deep, Talia, You just don’t know it yet."

I never saw the punch coming.

Pain exploded in my ribs, and suddenly I was staggering back. Caden bolted.

"Shit!"

I recovered fast, sprinting after him, but he was already ahead. He dove through another passageway, knocking over a stack of crates to slow me down.

By the time I reached the courtyard, he was gone.

But the letter? He had dropped it.

I picked it up, heart pounding. It was sealed with a familiar mark.

The same mark I had seen once before.

On the body of the man who had died in my place.

*+*+*+*+"+"+*+*

The ride was tense and quiet. We left before dawn, a small group of six. Commander Rhylen led the way, with Peter riding close beside me. No one spoke much, each lost in our own thoughts.

I kept my eyes on the road, my mind still stuck on the mysterious letter hidden inside my cloak. I hadn't told anyone about it yet, not until I figured out what it meant.

We reached the lower district by midday. The streets were quieter than usual, with people keeping their heads down and moving quickly. They knew something was going on, but no one was talking.

We spread out, searching for any sign of the assassin. Peter and I were together when the ambush hit. It came fast and brutal, with figures in dark cloaks emerging from the alleyways, their blades flashing.

I barely had time to draw my sword before I was fighting for my life. I twisted and dodged, striking back at my attackers. But there were too many of them, and I knew we were in trouble.

I heard Peter curse behind me, and then the sharp sound of steel meeting flesh. One of our men fell, and I knew we were outnumbered.

I turned to face another attacker, but I was too slow. A sharp pain shot through my side, and a heavy force knocked me to the ground. I hit the stone hard, the breath knocked out of my lungs.

Then, arms grabbed me and dragged me away. "Talia!" Peter's voice was the last thing I heard before everything went black.