Then came the guards.
Pairs of armored sentries patrolled the passageways, their halberds gleaming under the dim magical light. One patrol turned the corner and spotted them instantly.
"Halt! Intruders—"
Lucian didn't even break stride. His sword was out, moving with such speed that Selis barely caught the flash of steel. Two guards slumped unconscious before the first syllable left their lips.
Selis clapped her hands together, whispering loudly, "Bravo, Captain. Truly inspiring. You gave them a five-star nap."
Lucian sheathed his blade, unbothered. "Noise draws attention. Sleeping opponents do not."
"Spoken like a true romantic," she quipped, following behind.
Trap after trap, door after door, guard after guard—Lucian dismantled them all like it was a chore he'd done a thousand times before.
Where others would have died a dozen different deaths, he walked as if the Sanctum had rolled out a velvet carpet just for him.
