Page 59 of Savage Crown

I’ve survived worse.

The door is slightly ajar, left careless by whoever delivered the documents.

I slip inside, silent as a breath.

Lartina stands near the desk, dressed in black silks that cling to her like a whisper of temptation and poison. Her long, raven-dark hair is pinned up with jeweled combs, her red eyes gleaming in the low light.

And in her hands?—

A letter. She folds it neatly, carefully as if it’s very important. It must be when I see that it’s for Nhilian but she’s taking it away.

She moves to tuck the letter away, but before she can, I step forward.

“Stealing from your allies now?” I ask.

Her head snaps up.

For a brief moment, something flickers in her gaze—shock, calculation, something sharp and deadly.

She smiles.

Like she was expecting me all along.

I don’t move, don’t let my expression falter, even as she glides toward me, the scent of expensive perfume curling around her like a veil of deceit.

“My, my,” she purrs. “The little human thinks she’s clever.”

I don’t blink. “Not clever. Just not blind.”

She laughs, soft and musical, like I’ve just told her the most amusing thing in the world.

Faster than I expect, she closes the distance.

Her fingers trace along my shoulder, trailing over my collarbone—a mockery of affection.

I fight the instinct to flinch.

She’s testing me.

Looking for weakness.

I won’t give it to her.

“I can see why he’s distracted,” she murmurs, her voice like honey laced with venom. “You have a certain… appeal. Rough. Unpolished. But appeal nonetheless.”

I hold my ground.

“I didn’t come here to play games, Lartina.”

She tilts her head. “No? Then why are you here, little thief?”

My jaw tightens.

I let my gaze flick to the desk, where the letter from Nhilian still rests.

Her smile widens.

“Ah,” she sighs. “You’re looking for proof, aren’t you?”

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