Thorns of the midnight rose

its cobblestone streets. A cold mist rolled in from the river, shrouding the alleyways in an eerie silence. Th

the city. The chill in the air bit at her skin, but she barely noticed. Her

per-one wrong move, and she'd be the one to feel his fangs. But the attack tonight had left her no

rs creaked open. Seraphine didn't

who barged in uninvited," she sa

nst the stone railing. His dark cloak blended with the

," he said with a smirk. "Th

d dryly. "But I don't need co

a funny way of saying thank you, you know. Most people would

help," she said, fina

s smirk widening. "

she hated to admit it, Cassian had proven himself useful tonight. His quic

ian?" she asked, her vo

to know what we're up against. You and the Duke keep talking about ene

n't know who's behind this. But whoever they are, they're bold, we

Cassian asked, h

low. "Alaric is a snake. I don't trust him, and I

le. "You're playing a dangerous game, Seraph

she said

he night stretched out around them, he

ce. "If you ever need a backup p

sed by the sincerity in hi

rning. "Maybe I've got a so

t she couldn't help the faint

id, her tone lightening. "We

h a mock salute, before r

spatching patrols to search for any sign of the assassins. Seraphine, meanwhile, had sent word to

the crisis. Alaric stood at the head of the room, his commanding presence drawing

d, his voice trembling. "If we don't act q

one calm but firm. "My men are scouring the c

his gaze flickering to her. "She was the target of

htened, but she did

aphine is under my protection," he said, his voice col

r expressions ranging from u

rk eyes gleaming. "You should be grateful, my dear. I

our protection," sh

th a smirk. "But

l and walked away, her mind

nt, a wiry man named Larkin. They convened in a secluded

his voice low. "The assassins were hire

idian Circle? I've heard ru

been targeting noble families across the region, disrupting trade routes,

their

chaos to destabilize the region. If they succeed, th

enemy, one she couldn't afford to underestimate. But how wer

to know everything there is to know about the Ob

t be careful, my lady. These p

," she said,

r shoulders. The game she was playing had just become infinitely more dangerous, an

r the truth, no matter the cost. And if the Obsidian Circle thoug

its thorns, and she wa