Page 69 of Crowned In Venom

Mira glances over her shoulder, then back at me, her breath quickening.

"The Matriarch."

The word alone makes my stomach coil.

I do not react. Not visibly.

But something inside me stills.

I already know she is a threat.

I already know my time is running short.

But I need to know why.

"What about her?" I press, my voice light. Careful.

Mira hesitates.

Then, her fingers tighten, her whisper sharp as a blade.

"She knows you’re still here."

The words sink in like a dagger between my ribs.

Of course she knows.

She always knew.

But the fact that Mira is warning me? That is something different.

Something worse.

"She doesn’t like them to last," Mira continues, her voice barely audible.

Her dark eyes dart left, then right.

"And you—you’re still here."

It is not a question.

It is a death sentence.

I do not let my expression shift.

But Mira sees it anyway.

"You should run," she breathes.

I almost laugh.

Run.

As if it were that simple.

As if I have not spent every waking moment preparing for the chance.

But now—I may not have time.

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