Page 149 of Warlord's Plaything

47

XYRON

Every instinct in me is on edge.

I don’t trust these walls.

I don’t trust these shadows.

I don’t trust anything anymore.

Hira is asleep after pouring out all her emotions. Maybe this is the only peace she’ll ever get from now on.

Her body had finally given out after our confrontation, after the fire between us had burned too bright and left nothing but cinders.

I let her rest.

She needs it.

Because tomorrow, everything changes.

Because tomorrow, we either survive—or we fucking die.

Suddenly, there’s a sound.

A whisper.

A breath of movement.

I am not alone.

My blade is in my hand before my brain catches up to the situation.

I turn, quick, sharp, ready to rip the spine out of whoever thinks they can sneak up on me.

And then?—

A figure steps from the shadows.

Calm. Unrushed.

Like he belongs here.

Like he was waiting for me to notice him.

Like he wants to be seen.

"Xyron."

A voice I haven’t heard in days.

A voice I haven’t trusted in years.

A voice that shouldn’t fucking be here.

Valis.

I move before he can breathe another word.

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