Page 85 of Savage Crown

She stumbles but doesn’t fight me. Not yet.

"This is on you," I snarl, yanking her through the corridors. "Whatever you stole from Lartina—whatever you’re hiding—it just made you worth starting a war over."

She gasps, wrenching against my hold, but I don’t let her go.

"I didn’t?—"

I snap my head toward her, fury blazing through my veins like wildfire.

"Don’t lie to me."

She swallows hard, but she doesn’t try to deny it again.

Good.

At least she knows better than to insult my intelligence.

The screams intensify.

Flames lick the outer walls of the Den.

I don’t stop.

I drag Seraphina toward the passage door—a hidden escape route buried deep within the Den’s stone foundation.

I shove it open with one hand, revealing a narrow, dark tunnel descending into the earth.

Seraphina hesitates.

I yank her forward, forcing her inside.

"We don’t have time for your pride, little thief." My voice is low, dangerous. "If you want to stay here and die, be my guest. But I am leaving."

She glares at me, eyes flashing with fury. But she doesn’t argue. Not when the walls shake again. Not when another violent explosion rocks the upper levels. Not when the sound of boots and steel gets too close.

This place is lost.

And I will not die here.

But when the dust settles, when I finally cut off Lartina’s head for this, Seraphina and I will finish this conversation.

After tonight, one thing is clear.

She isn’t just a pawn in this game.

31

SERAPHINA

The tunnels stink of damp earth and cold stone, the silence between us thick enough to suffocate.

Rylan hasn’t spoken since we escaped the Midnight Den.

He doesn’t have to.

His grip on my wrist is iron, dragging me forward without hesitation, his pace ruthless, unyielding.

I don’t fight him.

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