The next morning, Nyx went to the war room to brief the council about her upcoming absence. She didn't mention the chip, instead, she told them that Umbra had offered to teach her advanced shadow magic that might help with hybrid defense networks.
Kai was the only one was suspicious.
"You're trusting the shadow king ?
"Umbra has knowledge no one else has. If that knowledge helps us to protect hybrid communities, I'll learn it." Nyx replied.
"Even if it means being alone with him in his realm for days?"
"Even then."
Through the bond, she felt Raziel's unhappiness with this cover story, but he'd agreed it was better than revealing the chip's existence. The fewer people who knew about the chip, the better.
That evening, during the sunset, Umbra came to the palace courtyard. Raziel met him at the gates.
"If you hurt her…"
"You'll declare war, I know." Umbra's replied in a bored tone. "You've made that threat clear. I have no intention of harming her."
