Lawrence’s POV

Smoke hung to the air like a smothering veil, the bitter fragrance searing my lungs with every breath. Clement stepped ahead, his cold, calculating eyes narrowing as he slowly clapped, the mocking sound reverberating in the commotion around us. Behind him, shadows shifted—armed men, their rifles glinting menacingly in the pale moonlight.

“Well done, Knight,” Clement drawled, his lips curving into a vicious sneer. “You survived. For the time being.

My grip on the hilt ...