Page 106 of Savage Crown

Vael chuckles. “Surprised.” His gaze flicks to me, assessing, calculating. “And you brought company.”

I fold my arms, unblinking. “I’m not company. I’m leverage.”

Vael’s mouth quirks. “Still collecting strays, are we?”

Rylan tenses. I notice. Vael does too.

But his smirk stays firmly in place.

"Seraphina," Rylan says after a beat, his voice clipped. "This is Vael. He’s—" He hesitates. "—an old friend."

Vael scoffs. “You always say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Because it is.”

Vael just grins. “Well, come on in, old friend.”

Vael pours a drink,leaning against the wooden table, watching Rylan with thinly veiled amusement.

“You look like hell.” He takes a slow sip. “Lartina really did a number on you, didn’t she?”

Rylan’s jaw tightens. “You heard about that?”

Vael shrugs. “Word travels fast. And I still have ears in places you don’t.” He tilts his head, considering. “She always was a stubborn one. Never knew when to quit.”

Rylan doesn’t react.

That’s almost worse.

Vael notices. His gaze flicks to me, then back to Rylan. His smirk twitches.

He’s putting the pieces together.

"Well. That’s interesting."

I lean back, lifting a brow. “Something funny?”

“Not funny.” Vael smiles lazily. “Just fascinating. Rylan never lets anyone get close. And yet—” He gestures vaguely between us. “—here you are.”

I narrow my eyes. “You’re awfully talkative for someone who hasn’t proven they can be trusted yet.”

Rylan exhales sharply, rubbing his temples. “Can we not do this tonight?”

Vael lifts his hands in mock surrender. “Relax. I’m just making observations.”

One second, Vael is pouring another drink.

The next?—

The door bursts open.

Shadows. Blades.

Lartina’s men.

Everything erupts.

Rylan moves first.

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