An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“What? There’s an outbreak in Reedcrest?”

Grace’s expression hardened at the report. “That’s impossible. Weren’t we told it was contained last night?”

When the contagion began, she immediately ordered the entire village sealed off and placed all infected individuals under strict quarantine.

Anyone who’d had contact with the infected was put under close surveillance.

Given all these precautions, how had the outbreak spread across Reedcrest overnight?

“The outbreak in Ashwillow Village has indeed been contained,” her aide reported grimly. “But a new source of infection has emerged in Windham, and there was no way to see it coming. Over 100 people are showing symptoms, and the numbers keep climbing.”

“Seal off every entrance and exit to Windham immediately,” Grace ordered decisively. “We cannot allow this outbreak to spread beyond the town. Place all infected individuals under strict surveillance and thoroughly screen everyone else. Go now.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Her aide left immediately to execute the orders.

As a precautionary measure, military forces were deployed to blockade every access point into and out of Windham so that residents couldn’t leave and outsiders couldn’t enter.

While the strict containment protocols would undoubtedly cause considerable inconvenience, the gravity of the situation left no room for half-measures.

“Things are more complicated than I thought. The Skull Covenant is spreading outbreaks everywhere,” Dustin said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

If Ashwillow Village was just their opening move, then the real battle was about to begin.

we operate in plain sight. Until we can locate the Skull Covenant’s stronghold, we’ll have to proceed cautiously

faster than I can handle alone. We need to bring in reinforcements from Oakvale,” he

show them how to draw out

I’ll make the arrangements,” Grace agreed

immediately mobilized all the

him race from crisis to crisis. Despite his exceptional abilities, she knew he would feel overwhelmed by the scope of the epidemic. So,

abilities would be nearly impossible, Oakvale had

available, they could learn his techniques and be better prepared for the next

mansion. As he

Highness, our investigation shows over 100 plague

of the infected, but some have slipped our cordon.

carefully

infected in one central location, then immediately dispatch troops to hunt down those who have escaped. We must capture and bring them back to prevent further outbreaks,” he

too costly politically and create a bad impression, which would make him

struggle and gain the upper hand, he needed to contain the outbreak with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.

develop an antidote. If all hundred

With their expertise, creating an antidote won’t be much of a challenge,” Tristan

Highness was

one knee.

Bring them

doctors’ arrival couldn’t have been more perfectly timed to

Your Highness,” the guard acknowledged and

Both appeared