Page 162 of Crowned In Venom

And for a moment, I think maybe—maybe she won’t do this.

Maybe she will stay.

Maybe I can protect her.

But then?—

"Ahem."

The Ghost’s bored voice slices through the air like a blade.

We both freeze.

The Ghost watches us with something that is almost—amusement.

I stiffen.

"What the hell are you playing at?" I snap, fury lashing through me.

The Ghost tilts his head.

"Oh, I just find it entertaining," he says smoothly. "You two are always so dramatic."

A sharp, white-hot rage burns through me.

I almost lunge for him.

Almost sink my dagger into his throat.

But then?—

"There's another way."

The room stills.

A slow, cold silence spreads between us.

Anya and I both snap our heads toward him.

"What?" I demand.

The Ghost shrugs.

"You don’t have to kill her," he says, casual as ever.

I stare.

Anya stares.

"You—" My voice cracks. "You knew this, and you let her?—"

The Ghost raises a gloved hand, silencing me.

"I didn’t say it would be painless."

A slow, sick feeling curls in my gut.

The Ghost takes a step forward, gesturing toward the stone altar.

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