Page 216 of Lethal King

Still, I can practically feel the heat of the conflict raging inside him as I step through the doorway.

He’s a good kid. I’ll make sure he’s rewarded for his loyalty.

“Fuck…”

The second I step inside, I try to take a much-needed deep breath, but the air in here is hardly any better than the air outside, and I’m immediately met by a stale gust… and the metallic scent of more blood.

What happened here?

Leaving Deacon behind, I find the set of stairs I know is nearby. Then, I begin my ascent.

It doesn’t take long before I reach the next door.

My chest tightens.

It’s already half open.

Someone is definitely here.

… So why don’t I see any more blood?

With all the caution in the world, I push my way into a creaky hallway. It’s quiet enough that each step I take sounds like thunder. But there’s no going back now.

Looking down, I search for bloody footprints.

There are none.

There’s no blood on the door handle either.

Lifting my chin, I sniff the air. More blood. I sniff harder.

Part of me is desperate to smell that spicy rose scent that has captured my heart—anything to indicate that I’m getting close to Rozalia.

I already miss her.

But her intoxicating fragrance is nowhere to be found.

She isn’t here.

Has she ever been?

My gut churns at the thought of what might lie ahead. The idea that Tytus could betray his own sister makes me sick to my stomach.

It’s a concerning feeling.

A squabble between two of my enemies would normally be a good thing. But Rozalia hasn’t felt like a true enemy for a long time now. Even if our passion still teems with rage, something else has appeared in the meat of it all.

Something warm and wonderful. Something horrifying. A four-letter word that could change my life forever if uttered out loud.

It’s a word that’s too intense to even consider right now.

I need to focus on the task at hand. I need to find Tytus. I need to protect Rozalia.

Everything else can wait.

My pulse deepens as I peel around a tight corner. Somewhere up ahead, I swear I hear the echoes of a distant commotion clang through the walls.

My focus wavers. My mind wanders.