Elaine kept the blade pressed against the Phantom’s throat, her smirk unwavering.

  "You’re not the first spy I’ve caught sneaking around."

  The Phantom, to his credit, kept his composure. "I was merely… assessing security."

  Elaine chuckled. "Then you’ve failed. Miserably."

  The door swung open.

  Lucian, half-asleep, shuffled inside, rubbing his eyes. "Why is it always spies? Can’t people just send letters?"

  Dorian followed, looking tired but exasperated. "My lord, this is serious."

  Lucian waved a lazy hand. "Fine. What do we do with him?"

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  Elaine raised an eyebrow. "I could interrogate him."

  Lucian yawned. "Too much effort."

  The Phantom stiffened.

  Elaine tilted her head. "Or we could keep him locked up."

  Lucian sighed. "More paperwork."

  The Phantom’s heartbeat quickened.

  Elaine smirked. "Then what do you suggest, my lord?"

  Lucian stretched. "Just throw him out."

  A long silence.

  The Phantom stared at him.

  "You’re… releasing me?"

  Lucian yawned. "Yeah. Just get rid of him."

  Elaine grinned. "As you wish, my lord."

  She grabbed Phantom by the collar and hauled him toward the exit.

  The Phantom could barely process what was happening.

  He had broken into enemy territory.

  He had been caught instantly.

  And now… he was just being let go?

  No one was this confident.

  Unless…

  Unless this was a trap.

  His breath hitched.

  Veilwood had seen through him immediately.

  Had let him spy freely.

  Had "dismissed" him without a second thought.

  No noble would do that unless they were completely certain they had nothing to fear.

  Or unless they had already planned something worse.

  As Elaine shoved him out the door, Phantom had only one thought:

  I was never the hunter.

  I was the prey.