Page 90 of Crowned In Venom

Or rather—who.

My gaze flicks back to the Ghost.

They do not move.

They never do.

"You have not told her about Anya," I say.

A test.

A truth I already know.

The Ghost is loyal only to the Matriarch.

And yet—they did not tell her about the ledger.

They did not tell her what Anya stole.

They have not told her that I know.

And that interests me.

The Ghost does not respond.

But they do not deny it.

I let the silence stretch, watching them, measuring them the way I would an opponent in the pits.

Then, I take a step closer.

"Why?"

The air shifts.

Something too subtle to name.

A crack in something that was once unbreakable.

But they say nothing.

And I do not ask again.

Because I already know.

Loyalty is a thing that can break.

Even for them.

Even for the Matriarch’s most trusted blade.

I exhale slowly, stepping back.

I do not need an answer from them.

I have already decided.

I must move faster.

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