Chapter 150 - The Listener and the Shadower

The first rays of dawn were peeking over the horizon back toward the camp. At the training fields, Ella, Jake, Luke, and Masque were perfecting their skills and practicing their maneuvers. The growls and the sound of guns colliding as they engaged in combat filled the crisp, chilly air. Always observant, Ella sensed something wasn't quite right with Luke. There was a stiffness in his movements that she couldn't quite place her finger on, but it wasn't the same as before. They stopped for a moment, and she looked up at him. "Luke, did you happen to see some strange man last night?" she asked, her tone cautious. “Anywhere, in the camps, emerging from the forest?” Luke gave a neutral shake of his head, “I didn't see anyone, no. Why are you asking?” Jake scoffed from his nearby station. “But where were you anyways?" he asked, “In my chambers, what's going on?” Luke asked with a polished and fluid style. "It doesn't matter anymore” Ella said as she realized the conversation