Page 168 of Claimed In Darkness

Sharp. Bloody. Ruthless.

"I know,” I reply.

I push the blade deeper.

Finally, Lord Zeran Zacria dies.

I am free.

No more curse. No more chains.

No more father watching from the shadows, waiting for me to bow.

He is dead and I am still standing.

I let out a slow breath.

But the victory is hollow.

Naira is still bleeding. Still dying.

And suddenly—this isn’t over.

If I do not move fast—I will lose her too.

And losing her is a death I will not survive.

57

NAIRA

This is it. I can feel it.

The end.

The last flickering ember of warmth in my veins, slipping through my hand like fine sand.

Zephiran is holding me together, but it’s too late.

He knows it. I know it.

But he still won’t let me go.

His grip is too tight, almost painful. He’s trying to hold me here.

Trying to keep me from slipping away.

Trying to stop something that can’t be stopped.

"Stay with me,"he growls.

His voice is raw, wrecked.

A man unraveling.

He’s a man losing everything.

"Please."

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