Page 124 of Savage Crown

Seraphina moves.

I don’t realize she’s awake until she grabs my knife from my belt.

Her grip is weak—her body swaying in my arms, but the moment the assassin’s finger pulls the trigger, she throws the dagger.

The blade buries itself in the bastard’s eye.

He crumples.

Dead before he hits the ground.

Seraphina shudders against me, breath ragged.

"You’re awake," I rasp.

Her eyes flicker open, glazed, pained.

Her smirk is faint, barely there.

"Couldn’t let you… take all the credit."

A sharp exhale of breath—part relief, part rage.

"You’re bleeding out," I snap. "You should be unconscious."

She laughs, weak and broken.

"Still breathing," she whispers.

Then her eyes close again.

I swear under my breath and move faster. The tunnel entrance is just ahead. Dark. Hidden beneath the crumbling remains of Nhilian’s fortress. The escape route I planned before I ever walked into this death trap.

But there are still two guards blocking the way.

My grip on Seraphina tightens.

She doesn’t have time for this. We both don’t.

I strike first.

I move before they can react, before they can register the bloodstained monster charging toward them.

The first guard doesn’t get the chance to lift his weapon before my sword is through his chest.

The second hesitates.

That’s all I need.

I grab his face and slam it against the stone wall.

Once.

Twice.

Bone cracks.

He drops, twitching, then goes still.

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