Chapter 48: Honey crowns and fire ants

Silver paced back and forth in the dim candlelight of the study, Leech watching him intently.

"It's the only way," Silver insisted. "If we want to be free of this eternal tournament..."

Leech held up a hand. "Let's think this through, friend. We cannot simply murder Raven in cold blood. The others will resist such a dishonourable path."

Silver stopped, running an agitated hand through his hair. "I don't like it either. But Amara was clear - only one team survives this round."

He turned to Leech, eyes pleading. "I must return to my family, as you must to your brother. We've sacrificed eternity already for Amara's obsession. No more."

Leech stayed silent for a long moment before responding carefully. "Perhaps there is a third way. We isolate Raven from the Light, capture her humanely. Once we win the tournament, we can free her."