"You're slower than your reputation," Nyssa taunted, her dagger grazing dangerously close to his throat.
"And you talk too much," Zephyr retorted sharply
They separated, circling each other like predators sizing up their prey. Cedric whimpered beneath the table, fear gripping him tightly.
Nyssa tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "Why bother? Your master's already won this round."
Zephyr flicked blood off his dagger with a casual air. "Big brother doesn't send me for business; he sends me for messages."
In an instant, her smile vanished.
With a swift motion, Zephyr tossed something onto the table, a severed finger adorned with a signet ring that made Cedric's heart race in recognition.
"T-that's Lord Hale's...!" he stammered, panic rising in his chest.
"Tell your Duke," Zephyr replied coolly, "that the next gift will be his spymaster's tongue, unless he wants to meet Felix personally."
