Page 175 of Crowned In Venom

I snap my head toward him.

"That’s suicide."

His smirk is hidden beneath his mask.

"No. It’s strategy."

"She’ll know you betrayed her."

"No, she won’t." He tilts his head. "She still thinks I am under her control. I am her most trusted hound. And hounds are allowed to roam freely."

It’s a risk. A massive one.

But he’s right.

If he can still sneak into the Matriarch’s inner circle, we gain an advantage no one else has.

Kareth exhales sharply. "So let me see if I understand correctly. You, Varkos, want to storm the palace like a crazed man seeking vengeance. The Ghost wants to sneak in and play informant. And I am supposed to… what? Rally the rebellion?"

I glare at him.

"You said you wanted a war, didn’t you?"

Kareth’s lips curve. "Oh, I do. I just want to make sure I get a front-row seat."

I exhale sharply, dragging a hand over my face.

This is reckless. Dangerous.

But it is the only way.

The only path forward.

"We move soon," I say, voice firm. "If we wait too long, we lose momentum. We strike before she expects it."

Kareth nods. "I’ll make preparations."

The Ghost simply says, "I will send word once I’m inside."

A plan. A fragile one, but a plan nonetheless.

And yet—something gnaws at me.

Something feels off.

A soft knock at the door makes me tense.

A servant lingers in the entrance, eyes lowered.

"My lord," she says, voice hesitant. "The human girl… she is awake."

The breath rushes from my lungs.

My heart slams against my ribs.

Anya.

She’s awake.

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