Chapter 142

ENID

IT IS TIME

Seated at my desk in the quiet of my office, I was lost in thought when Chase suddenly burst in, his face pale and eyes wide with fear.

"Enid, we've got trouble," he blurted out and this sent cold shivers down my spine. Memories of everything that happened just recently flashed back causing my head to ache.

Yes, Chase and I are cool, we had reconciled, for the greater good. Mildred and Vanessa bound us together, and their well-being was our shared priority.

Startled by Chase's urgency, I rose from my chair, feeling aripple of unease. "What's happening?" I inquired firmly trying to hide any iota of fear that laced on my face.

"The Outlanders have returned," Chase announced gravely.

I had anticipated their resurgence, the inevitable gathering of their forces. The news did not surprise me, yet the threat they posed was real.

"Our scouts have spotted them setting up camp just a few miles from our borders," Chase continued.

"How many of them are there?" I asked, my mind rac