Page 144 of Savage Crown

And then she nods.

I thrash against the magic.

My vision is red, blinding.

"Seraphina—"

"Rylan," she says softly.

And in her eyes, I see it.

There's no regret or fear.

Acceptance.

No. No, no, NO!

I won’t let this happen.

I can’t.

I will burn the world before I lose her.

Nhilian moves like lightning.

A dagger flashes in his hand.

I shout, fight, struggle?—

But the magic tightens around my throat, my chest, holding me in place.

The blade sinks into her flesh.

Deep.

Precise.

Straight into her stomach.

Seraphina gasps—a sharp, soft sound.

And the world shatters.

“No!” The sound tears itself from my throat, burning like fire.

I feel the blood before I see it.

It spills from the wound in her abdomen, staining the front of her tunic, slipping through Nhilian’s fingers as he wrenches the blade free.

Her body trembles, sways?—

And then she falls.

I lose myself.

The magic binding me snaps as my rage obliterates reason.

I lunge.

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