Page 143 of Savage Crown

She already knows.

Nhilian circles the room, hands clasped behind his back, like this is all just a game to him.

"This is not just a cave," he continues, his voice rich with satisfaction. "This is a tomb. A place built on sacrifice, on blood and bone."

He pauses, head tilting toward Seraphina.

"And the door will not open without it."

I move.

Fast.

Faster than thought, than reason.

My dagger is in my hand, my body lunging forward to sever his throat?—

But my limbs lock.

My vision darkens at the edges.

A force slams into me, invisible and crushing, locking me in place.

Magic.

Dark, twisted magic.

Nhilian turns, watching my struggle with an almost bored expression.

"You should have known, Rylan," he murmurs. "Did you think I wouldn’t study the same magic your father wielded? I was disappointed, though. I learned only a fraction of it."

I snarl, trying to push past the weight crushing my limbs.

But my body is bound.

Magic hums through my veins, pulling me down, locking me out of reach.

And Seraphina?—

She stands too still.

Her hands are clenched, but she does not struggle.

Nhilian smiles at her.

"You knew, didn’t you?" he asks, almost amused. "That your life was never yours to keep."

She doesn’t speak.

She doesn’t look at me.

"You are the key," Nhilian continues, stepping closer. "The price. The sacrifice."

"No," I snarl, my voice a growl of pure rage. "You will not touch her."

But Seraphina…

She exhales.

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