Sword and Veil (Everstone Series book 1 preview)

Chapter 2

Crouched in the shadowed underbrush, Eva's hooded form blended with the dark, her stark white hair veiled as moonlight cast over the grassy plains, throwing enough silver light to navigate but not reveal her as she stalked her enemy. Inside the cover of the trees, the thick canopy overhead made it near impossible to navigate at night– for anyone else.

She had been sent on so many scouting and assassination missions after eight years in the Legion, she knew the terrain of the northeast by memory. It was why she was chosen for this mission and why she had gained notoriety, at least amongst her kin. Joining the military at the minimum age of fourteen, while also demonstrating unmatched stealth and physical prowess, was bound to draw attention.

She never wanted it. It was only her inner defiance, and pride she supposed, that prevented her from pretending to be less skilled, falling into the comfortable haze of mediocrity.

To spite her further, fate had granted her thick, snow-colored hair, despite the vast majority of her kin being born blonde. She had the blue eyes of her mother, but the white hair made her stand out, serving as a constant reminder to everyone around her that she was different. Yet, while her hair had been a constant source of grief as a child, she had come to endear it.

The three Zentari scouts sat around their fire in hushed conversation. They had stopped to rest for the night, setting their meager supplies aside to share a meal. They had been sent on a scouting mission to the edges of the Midbar desert, a few miles west of the Yaqar outpost where she was stationed. Aniyan intelligence caught wind of the scouting party as they were crossing the desert, and Eva was sent to dispatch the party as soon as possible.

Information was as precious as rubies and a scouting party gathering intelligence was an unacceptable risk. When she was told to take a comrade along for the mission, she slipped out before one could be chosen, which was violating a direct order. She might pay for that one later, but for now she didn't care. It was faster and easier on her own.

Though she never knew her, Eva was reminded countless times that she shared her mother's strong and defiant will. Growing up under the iron fist of her father only seeded further insolence– refusing to be beaten into submission. But she didn't need the pain of her father's hand, nor the sting of his silver tongue to question her existence. It was impossible to live without considerable guilt, knowing that the price of your birth was your mother's life.

Eva shadowed the Zentari scouts for two days, delicately balancing the need to stay close enough to overhear with the risk of being detected. Despite ample time, it eventually became clear—they either knew nothing useful or were careful to speak only in whispers.

One female and two males, one of which was twice the size of the others. He would need to be the first target.

They each wore the standard brown and black leather armor of the Zentari Operative. To her relief, none of them were Guardians. They each carried their weapon of choice, as well as leather travel bags filled with supplies. She had plenty of time to study their faces, though she didn't recognize any of them.

She thanked the Heavens when she confirmed they were only scouts, knowing they weren't likely to be the Citadel's best fighters.The Zentari were selective about who they assigned to specific missions, fully aware that their military population was much smaller than that of the Legion.

It was time. She would need to deal with them tonight, before they returned home.

"Oi, Nyx." The larger scout said, addressing the female seated across the fire who was sharpening her long knives in silence. His bald head emphasized his thick beard. His muscles bulged between the seams of his tunic. "What was the captain wanting to talk to you about before we left?" He pulled his rucksack over and reached inside, sifting through the contents.