servants alike had fled, leaving behind a hollow, uneasy stillness. The golden light of the chan

ith ash from the earlier explosion. Her grip on her dagger tightened as she stared at the chaos l

ir was disheveled, and a shallow cut marred his cheek, though he didn't seem to notice. His piercing bl

out the fact that you just took down a professional assassin lik

ng look. "You're hardly in a

"True, but I did save your life back th

retorted, turning on her heel and

g," he called after her, his fo

bold, reckless even. It wasn't Alaric's style to act so openly-he preferred subtlety,

just survived an assassination attempt

. Beneath the cocky exterior, there was a hint of

icking," she said finally. "Not

t work i

on a man she'd only just met. But there was something about Cassian-someth

she said, her

the staircase, their footsteps muffled by the plush red carpet. Sera

ks and faded maps. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting a warm glow over th

g in the room. "Are we here to

h a practiced motion, she pressed a small emblem, and the panel slid o

ow whistle. "Well,

hard. "You said you were here on

expression. "Let's just say I have a per

sona

ightening. "He killed s

the pain of loss, the burning need for vengeance. But sh

aid. "But if you want to work with

st isn't exactly my strong suit, my lady. But I'll make

tions. Finally, she nodded. "Fine. But if

e said wit

ad it out on the desk. It was a detailed layout of Vynthera an

tracing a finger over the map. "They were too organize

" Cassian said

d proof. If I can expose his involvemen

f you

en I'll find another w

is expression unreadable. "You're p

he said, her voice c

ough the room. Seraphine's hand instinctively wen

le with fear. "My lady," she whispered, "you're need

h her expression remained calm. "

nodded and h

ed an eyebro

s," sh

ng a small vial of clear liquid. She slipped it int

. "If I'm not back in an

"You think i

ow it

er mind. Alaric's summons could mean many things, but none o

ce soft. "Be careful, Seraphine

rity in his words. "Neither do I," she s

her heels clicking against the stone flo

placed by an oppressive stillness. When she reached the grand doors of t

igh ceilings and ornate decorations designed to intimidate. At the far e

his voice smooth as silk. "

expression unreadable. "You

ing for her to approach.

feel the weight of his gaze, the predatory way he st

she stopped and curtsied gracefully. "Wha

a chill down her spine. "The truth, my

kept her expression calm. "I'm a

d. "I know what you're planning, Seraphin

e didn't flinch. "You over

ftly. "Do I? W

ed shut, Seraphine realized t