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There, in the middle of the arena, is Neve. She’s tied to a chair, gagged with a strip of cloth, but looks unharmed beyond a few visible scrapes and bruises. You hear a quiet, “Thank the Maker!” from Ashur behind you.

As you run up to her, though, you realize that she’s frantically signaling you with her eyes, making muffled shouting noises behind the gag. You know right away what she’s trying to say because you’ve been expecting it all along. It’s a trap. (Of course it is. How could it be anything else with Neve set out here in the middle of the empty arena as obvious bait?)

Just as you reach her, a dozen Venatori appear at the entrance opposite you. The ones at the front raise their staves at you—and that’s when the pride demon appears behind them.

Now you understand why Dorian wanted you to leave it alone.

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