Page 112 of Savage Crown

And then I look at the messenger.

Still smiling.

Still breathing.

That won’t do.

The elf doesn’t even have time to scream.

The blade finds his throat, a clean, brutal slice.

A wet gurgle escapes him as he collapses to his knees.

I catch him before he falls, gripping his hair, yanking his head back.

His lips tremble.

I lean in.

“Message received,” I murmur.

Then—

I sever his head from his shoulders.

The alley is silent.

Blood pools at my feet.

I bend down, picking up the discarded invitation.

It’s already soaked in red.

Perfect.

I press the parchment against the severed head, letting the blood seep deeper into the words.

A declaration of war.

I turn, leaving the body where it is.

Let Nhilian find it.

Let him understand exactly what’s coming.

I will come.

But not to bargain.

Not to talk.

I will come to end this.

40

SERAPHINA

The chains bite into my wrists, cold iron cutting into tender flesh. Each movement sends a dull throb through my arms, my body protesting against the rigid position they’ve forced me into.

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