Page 12 of The Panther's Price

“She’sstrongerthan Sighted. She fought three rogue shifters without shifting, without flinching. Her instincts are tuned to magic like she wasbornto walk the Veil.”

Cassian made a face. “Wewereall born to walk the Veil.”

“Not like this.”

He didn’t know how to explain it. Not really. But when Evryn had looked at him—throughhim—it had sliced deeper than any knife. She hadn’t seen the weapon, the monster, the name whispered in nightmares.

She’d seenhim.

Cassian sauntered over, perched lazily on the balcony ledge. “So why haven’t you killed her?”

Lucien’s fingers tightened on the stone.

“Because every instinct I’ve spent my life sharpening is telling me she’s not just important—she’snecessary.She’s not a threat to the throne. Sheisthe throne.”

Cassian raised a brow. “Sounds like prophecy talk. Mother willlovethat.”

Lucien shook his head. “No. It’s not prophecy. It’s... real. Tangible. Like she’s a key to something older than the Accords. Older than the bloodline war.”

Cassian’s gaze narrowed, calculating. “You think she’s First Blood.”

“Iknowshe is.”

“And if she is, that means she can either end us—or save us.”

Lucien nodded slowly.

Cassian exhaled through his teeth. “You’re protecting her.”

“I’mstudyingher.”

“Sure you are.”

Lucien turned to him, silver eyes cold. “Don’t start.”

“Too late,” Cassian said, hopping down. “You think you’re better than the rest of us ‘cause you wear guilt like armor. But you’re still a killer. So the longer you keep her breathing, the more people you’re gonna have to cut down when she doesn’t pick your side.”

“I don’t have a side,” Lucien muttered.

Cassian’s voice dropped to a low murmur, razor-sharp. “Then she’s going to die on someone else’s.”

They stared at each other.

“She’s not ready,” he said. “And if I don’t figure outwhatshe is before Mother wants her—she’s dead either way.”

Cassian shrugged. “Then you better move fast, brother. Because the Queen’s patience runs thinner than her mercy.”

He turned, cloak flaring behind him as he walked back into the shadows.

“Oh,” he added, glancing back with a wicked smile. “Tell her I said hello next time you watch her sleep.”

Lucien didn’t respond.

He just watched the mist roll over the balcony and wondered how long he had before he had to choose what he was fightingfor.

SIX

EVRYN

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