The third disappearance did not leave a body.
That was what changed everything.
---
A scout.
Experienced.
Disciplined.
One of Dren's best.
Gone.
---
No blood.
No tracks.
No sign of struggle.
---
Just—
absence.
---
Dren didn't shout this time.
He didn't rage.
---
He went quiet.
---
"That's not possible," he said.
---
Kael didn't answer.
Because it was.
---
Liora stood still, eyes scanning the report again.
"They're not killing like normal assassins."
"No," Elara said.
"They're removing people."
---
That word mattered.
---
Removing.
---
Alyne folded her hands slowly.
"This changes trade behavior."
---
Of course it did.
---
Fear of death could be priced.
Fear of disappearance—
could not.
---
Kael stood.
---
"They want us to react."
---
Dren looked at him.
"And we don't?"
---
Kael shook his head.
---
"No."
---
A pause.
---
"We give them more targets."
---
Silence.
---
Liora frowned.
---
"That's reckless."
---
Elara smiled.
---
"No."
---
Her eyes gleamed.
---
"That's bait."
---
Kael didn't deny it.
---
"Expand scout lines," he ordered.
"Double visible patrols."
"Make movement obvious."
---
Dren stared.
"You want them to hit again."
---
"Yes."
---
Because now—
this wasn't about defense.
---
It was about forcing the invisible enemy—
to become visible.
---
And Kael would pay the cost.
---
Because that was the difference.
---
Between reacting—
and controlling the hunt.