Page 15 of The Panther's Price

The figure turned slowly.

A woman—storm-gray eyes, silver hair woven into a long braid. Her face was lined with age and power, her presence immediate and full.

“Daughter of shadow,” the woman said, voice like cracked ice. “You should not be here.”

Evryn’s voice was raw. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“There isalwaysa choice.”

Evryn stood. Shaky. Bruised. Gutted with fear. But not broken.

“They took someone from me.”

The woman looked her over. Not cruelly. Just… measuring.

“Then you will need allies. Come. There are worse things in these woods than me.”

“Who are you?”

The woman smiled without warmth.

“Once, I was called Thalia Shadeborn. Now? I suppose you can call me your last option.”

SEVEN

LUCIEN

He watched her from the tree line.

She stood alone in the ruins of the train station, just past where the Threshold spat her out. The fog clung to her boots. Her shoulders curled slightly, not in weakness—but in weariness. She looked like a blade dulled by too many cuts, still sharp enough to bleed someone if they tried to touch her.

Lucien didn’t move.

She was waiting. For Thalia, no doubt. The rebel queen with silver hair and a voice made of fire and honey. She’d left only moments before, murmuring soft promises—stay here, I’ll be back soon, like the forest wouldn’t try to swallow her up before she returned.

Lucien didn’t trust soft voices. Especially ones that came dressed like saviors.

Thalia didn’t want to save Evryn. She wanted to use her.

He knew the way Thalia operated. She spun loyalty like silk—wrapped you in it, warm and tight—until you didn’t realize you were choking.

Lucien moved. One step. Then two.

Evryn heard him before he reached her. Her head snapped toward the sound, fingers twitching at her side where a blade might be hidden. She didn't speak. Not yet.

She didn’t have to. Her eyes said everything.

Who the hell are you?

And why does it feel like I already know you?

Lucien stepped from the fog, slowly. No shadow tricks. No glamours. Just him. Bare. Steady.

“I’m not here to hurt you,” he said.

She didn’t relax.

Smart girl.

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