Gate Three smelled like rain and lamp oil. Two City Watch wagons waited under the arch, shields stacked, lanterns hooded. Pierce stood with a watch captain in a dented breastplate. Cael was already there, quiet kit on his back. Elara jogged up a breath later, hair tied, gloves on. Three other charter holders I only knew by sight rounded the group.
"Short assist," the captain said. "South culvert. Someone's been running the drains like hallways. We found a cut wardline and resin smears on a grate. Could be kids. Could be the same hands as the gates. We need eyes that don't panic."
"Rules," Pierce said, pointing at me and Cael. "No kills. No heroics. You see a human threat, you stop them without making a mess. You see a beast, you pin and call. Charter in sight at all times." He tapped the brass token on my collar. I tapped it back.
