Chapter 143: The Serpent’s Last Breath

The halls of Winter's Crown had fallen into an eerie silence. It had been three days since Duke Montclair's death, and though the Obsidian Circle had been crippled, Lord Evander Blackwell remained in the shadows, untouched.

Damien sat alone in the war room, a single candle casting flickering light over the tattered map of the kingdom before him. His steel-gray eyes were fixed on Blackwell's estate, Raven's Hollow, marked with a black inked dagger.

Montclair had died with defiance in his eyes.

"The Circle is bigger than you know."

Those words had haunted Damien ever since.

He knew Blackwell was more than just a noble clinging to power. The man had anticipated every move, retreating further into the shadows just when Damien thought he had him cornered.

Blackwell wasn't just another traitor. He was the true mastermind.

And it was time to end him.

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As Damien prepared his final strike, a knock sounded on the chamber doors.