Jungkook yawned and rubbed his eyes. The night felt so chilly. Surely no one would be up and about now. He shivered and drew his cloak closer around his shoulders. Captain Moonbyul had ordered him to take the third guard shift by the west gate. When he asked why she simply shook her head and told him to obey orders unless he wanted to get thirty stripes.

I’ll just close my eyes for a minute, he promised himself as he leaned against the gate. An owl hooted. He relaxed. Only a minute.

“Sh, there’s someone there!”

Jungkook jerked awake. In front of him stood Jeon Soyeon, head of the late king’s personal guard. They eyed each other.

“Who is it Soyeon?” someone asked.

Jungkook gulped as three more people appeared. The first was Minnie, the deadliest assassin in the kingdom’s employ. People whispered that she could disappear without a trace only to reappear with an arrow pointed at your heart. Following Minnie was Miyeon, master of poisons. She held the reins to three horses. The last to appear was Yeh Shuhua, only daughter of the King and this afternoon’s prisoner.

“I—you’re not supposed to be here—how did you get in? What’s going on?” Jungkook squeaked as Soyeon drew a dagger from her belt.

From the corner of his eye he saw the tip of a boot peeking out from behind a barrel. No wonder there wasn't a guard stationed at the gate before him! They killed hi