Page 156 of Crowned In Venom

Before I can demand more?—

The Ghost tilts its head slightly, voice cool, emotionless.

"The time has come."

A deep sense of unease coils in my gut.

"Time for what?"

Another beat of silence.

Then—

"To tell you that I was the one who tipped the Matriarch off about your poison."

My blood turns to ice.

The world stops.

"What?"

The Ghost does not move.

Does not flinch.

"I told her you were poisoning her."

The dagger nearly slips from my fingers.

The rage does not come immediately.

First, it is shock.

Disbelief.

Then—

It erupts.

"YOU BETRAYED ME?!"

My voice cracks against the temple walls, an explosion of fury so raw it shakes my bones.

The firelight flickers.

My chest heaves, rage blinding, crushing.

"WHY?" I demand, stepping forward, blade trembling in my grip. "You served my father—YOU SAID YOU WERE LOYAL?—"

The Ghost does not move.

Does not blink.

Its next words slice through me like a dagger.

"You were never meant to die, Varkos."

I stagger back.

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