Page 174 of Crowned In Venom

The Matriarch took everything from me—my father, my freedom, my own identity. But this—what she did to Anya—this is unforgivable.

"I will kill her," I vow. My fists clench at my sides, my breath ragged. "I will tear her apart with my bare hands."

Kareth laughs softly. "That’s all very dramatic, but if you rush in, you’ll be dead before you can touch her."

I whirl on him.

"You think I don’t know that?"

His golden eyes gleam. "Then start acting like it."

The Ghost clears his throat, stepping forward. "The Matriarch has weaknesses. You just have to exploit them."

I exhale sharply, shoving a hand through my hair. "Tell me."

The Ghost nods at the map, his gloved fingers trailing over the inked lines, pointing at key structures.

"She’s powerful, but she is not untouchable. Her palace is heavily guarded, yes, but there are vulnerabilities."

He traces a path along the outskirts.

"There are hidden tunnels—ones she has forgotten even exist. I know because I helped build them."

I still.

"You built them?"

The Ghost lifts his chin slightly. "I was not always her servant. Before she bound me, I served your father."

The words hit like a punch to the gut.

Kareth raises an eyebrow. "Well, this just got more interesting."

I grit my teeth. "Tell me everything."

The Ghost nods. "I know the tunnels, the blind spots in the palace, the places her guards overlook."

He marks several points on the map.

"Here—an old servant’s passage, long sealed, but not impenetrable. And here—an underground access tunnel she used to transport prisoners in secret."

Kareth studies the map, rubbing his jaw. "I can slip men in through these access points. But that won’t be enough."

I narrow my eyes. "Explain."

"The Matriarch isn’t just powerful because of her magic. She controls through fear. Through debt. Through loyalty twisted beyond recognition."

He leans forward, his gaze calculating.

"You don’t just need an army. You need to dismantle her empire from within."

My pulse pounds in my ears. "You want to turn her own people against her."

Kareth smirks. "She is not as untouchable as she wants you to believe. People are afraid of her, yes. But they also hate her. And hate is a powerful thing."

"And how do you suggest we do that?"

The Ghost folds his arms. "I can get inside."

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