The mood changed entirely as the words left her lips.
Liam jumped to his feet and drew his waraxe, Darius doing the same with his sword. Annie spun to look into Red's eyes.
"Explain."
With unusual urgency, Red spoke.
"A weed has taken root and now stretches for the flower. The white oak, built and strong, full of unexpected vitality."
With a shared nod, Liam and Darius sprinted in opposite directions, their heads swiveling around as they looked for something only they knew.
"Is there anything else we should know?"
Red shook her head, allowing Annie to stand and join them. Rising up, Charon scanned their surroundings and frowned.
"What's going on?"
Her hand twitched at her waist, as if prepared to draw some imaginary sword. With narrowed eyes, she leaned forward to look at something at the edge of the park and jutted her chin at it.
"A weed in the garden means there is a spy in the Fort."
