bChapter /bb96 /b

    Serena’s POV

    The pen trembled in my fingers as I wrote with urgency. My heart hammered in my chest, my breath shallow with anxiety.

    Something’s wrong with the man out there. We have to tell Gamma ra!

    Mi nced at my scribbled words, her gaze t, skeptical.

    “You mean Lance? The cksmith? What’s wrong with him?” She drawled, her voice thick with disbelief.

    I pressed my lips together, feeling the weight of the truth pressing on my chest. He was no cksmith. He was dangerous. I could feel bit/bb, /bI knew bit/bb. /b

    I shook my head, frustration bubbling inside me. My pen danced across the paper again.

    He’s not a cksmith. I know him.

    Mi’s smile was almost amused, a tilt of her lips that seemed too calcting. “Oh? And if he’s not, then who is he?”

    I stopped, eyeing her carefully. Something about her didn’t sit right, the way she was watching me–too calm, too…posed.

    She leaned in, her voice soft but insistent. “You can trust me. Prisca introduced us, remember? Gamma ra grew up in my house. We were like sisters. You can tell me anything.”

    I paused, uncertainty flickering in my eyes. Could I trust her?

    “I just don’t want you bothering Gamma ra with silly things,” Mi continued, her tone switching to something almost maternal, though there was ba /bbite underneath. “She’s very busy.”

    That was enough. It killed my hesitation. I picked up the pen again, determined.

    That man… He’s the Rogue King.

    Mi’s expression shifted, her eyes narrowing just a fraction. “How can you be so sure?” she asked tly, a coldness creeping into her voice.

    I wasn’t about to back down now. I knew what I’d heard.

    I’ve heard his voice before. I swear it with my soul! Hurry. Tell Gamma ra. I fear for her safety.

    Mi’s eyes lingered on the paper, and then, without another word, she grabbed it. She walked toward the door, my gaze never leaving her bas /bshe

    moved.

    I could almost feel the weight of her steps, the pounding of my heart in my ears. But then–just as my hopes rose–she ripped the pape

    My mouth opened in fury, but no sound escaped. My body jerked with the force of my anger, but Mi onlyughed, cruel and light.

    “Can’t say a word, can you? Poor thingi,” /ishe mocked, her voice dripping with malice.

    I stared at her, horror building in my chest. But she wasn’t finished.

    “I’m not a fool, Serena. Yes, I was once close to bra/b. But I hate her now. I’d do anything to see her gone,” she saidb, /bbvoice /bbcold/bb, /bbvenomous/b.

    I whirled around, desperate for another piece of paper, my throat tightening. But before I could reach bit/b, her bhands /bwere bon /bbme/bb. /b

    The pressure around bmy /bneck was immediate, her bgrip /bbcold /bband /bunrelenting. bI /bbgasped/bb, /bbmy /bbvision /bflickering, bthe /bbworld /bbspinning /b

    bHer /bstrength overwhelmed me, her body pressed against mineb, /bband /bbI /bbcould /bfeel bmyself /bbslipping/b.

    b1/3 /b

    precesb. /b

    b11:28 /bWed, b30 /bbJur /bG U

    My chest burned with each failed breath. I tried to fight, but it was useless. My limbs trembled, my body no longer bmy /bbown/b,

    One agonizing minute. Then, darkness.

    The next thing I knew, a cold, familiar air hit my face, iand /ianed, forcing my eyes open. My head was throbbing, pain radiating from every bangle /b

    I blinked, trying to focus, and then I saw him. Lance.

    He stood before me, eyes gleaming with a sadistic pleasure.

    “Surprised to see me?” His voice was a low murmur, full of malice.

    I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My body was limp, my strength

    “Did you think I would let iyou /ioff that easily?” His voice dipped lower, a mocking edge creeping in. “You’ve betrayed me, Serena. And now… you’ll pay the

    price.”

    I tried to turn my head, to escape, but he was too close, his grip

    tight.

    “You chose the wrong side, Serena,” he said, forcing my gaze back to his. “And now it’s time for ime /ito collect.” His eyes flickered with an intensity bthat /bmade my blood run cold.

    He knelt beside me, his fingers digging into my skin.

    “Who are you looking at? There’s no one here

    “Please,” I whispered, desperation in my voice.

    to

    I gasped as pain erupted, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

    save

    you,” he taunted, his grip tightening. “You were doomed from the start.”

    Lance’s lips twisted into a smirk. He stood up, towering over me. “What should we do with her?” he asked, turning to Mi.

    Mi’s voice cut through the thick tension. “We have to do something… If she talksi, /ishe’ll ruin everything.”

    Lance chuckled darkly, his gaze never leaving me. “Cut her hands off?” he suggested, his tone casual, almost amused.

    The suggestion hung in the air, absurd, and yet chilling. But whisper.

    Lance wasn’t satisfied with that. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous

    “Let me teach you a lesson, mate.” His voice was a low growl. “Only the dead won’t tell.”

    Before I could react, his wed hand pierced my chest, and the world exploded into suffocating.

    agony. My lungs failed to take in air. The pain was unimaginable,

    I tried to screamb, /bibut /ino isound /ileft my lipsi. /iiBlood /ipoured from my body, staining everything in its path.

    iAnd /ithen… everything went ck.

    Lance iwiped /iihis /ihands on his clothesi, /iihis /iface calm. He looked down

    me, no trace of remorse in his eyes.

    “Good riddancei,/i” he muttered.

    I was gone.