Page 108 of Savage Crown

“You must be wondering why you’re still breathing,” she muses.

I exhale, slow. Controlled.

"Not really," I murmur. "I know what I’m worth."

Her smile widens.

Like she’s pleased.

Like she’s been waiting for me to say something clever.

A shadow moves beyond the candlelight.

A second chair.

A second figure.

Vael.

Alive. Bloody.

Rylan’s dagger still sticking out of his stomach.

I don’t react.

Not outwardly. But my mind’s racing, thinking about why Vael betrayed Rylan. What happened to Rylan?

Lartina studies me, but I don’t show her what I’m thinking or the crack in my armor.

I don’t give it to her.

She smiles.

This is just the beginning.

“Tell me where the treasure is, little thief,” Lartina murmurs, a hard glint in her eyes. “But it’s also nice if you don’t. We’re going to have so much fun.”

39

RYLAN

The stain of betrayal is still fresh in my memory.

Vael’s blood clings to my skin, dried at the edges of my tunic, the scent sharp, metallic, and infuriating.

But it wasn’t enough.

Not nearly enough.

I should have ripped him apart piece by piece before Lartina dragged him away. Should have made him beg for death before she claimed him.

But I didn’t.

Because even in the moment when I drove my dagger into his gut, something in his eyes stopped me.

Something I didn’t want to see.

Regret.

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