Thorns of the midnight rose

and tailored suits now a blur of fleeing bodies. The haunting echoes of the servant'

as she descended the marble staircase. The stranger-Cassian, as he called him

he asked, his voice low and amused

ther I run to it or away. Now, if you're as useful as yo

othered by her commanding to

. Their faces were obscured by masks, their blades gleaming in the chandelier's light. The Duke's guards, tho

as no random act of violence. Someone had orchestrated it-l

ian. "You're a fig

ied with a grin, drawing a pa

need answers, and I can

ving, her emerald gown sweeping across the

cise. His daggers danced in the air, deflecting blows and striking with lethal accu

commanding presence-stood apart from the others, barking orders in a language she didn't

y, at least-but she was far from defenseless. Hidden beneath the folds of her gown was a slender dagge

gly intent on reaching the Duke. Seraphine's lips c

s silent on the polished floor. The leader

?" she asked, her vo

n the light as she lunged, the blade aimed for his throat. He dodged at the last

tty face," he sneered, his

n," she replied, circling him li

d gracefully, her movements honed by years of secret training. She countered

attention of those nearby. Cassian, mid-duel with

get on your bad si

then struck right, her blade cutting through the assassin's s

tted, "but you're out

sharp as her blade. "Because it lo

g him with a flick of her wrist. His sword clattered to t

ow and dangerous, "you're go

searching for an escape. "Kill me if you mus

le. "Oh, I won't kill you. Not yet. But

a cloud of smoke and debris into the air. The force knocked Seraph

coughing as she tried

side, his daggers still

, though her pride stun

osion. The assassins were retreating, their mission seemingly

Cassian remarked, his tone light

im. "This isn't over.

ic stood, his expression unreadable. He met her eyes for a

ce. Alaric's fingerprints were all over it, and she would prove

thing told her that the arrogant, infur

old and commanding, "you and I a

his smirk returning. "

, Seraphine's mind raced with plans. The game had be