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Evelyn’s mind reeled. Vampyrs walking in the sunlight. Because of her bloodline. It made sense. The body parts. Her ancestors. The spell. Whatever the—
“That’s why you were working with the White Lady,” Evelyn whispered. “She could create the spell.”
Her gaze dropped to his ink-stained hands.
The black smudges hadn’t been dirt on McKenna or Fiona. They’d been ink.
Riven was the missing piece to the mystery. The reason why she and Kade couldn’t shake the feeling they’d missed something. Yes, they’d killed the White Lady, but they’d never learned what the body parts or what the spell had been for. Now, Evelyn knew, and dread filled her. They’d been right all along. This was bigger than they’d ever anticipated.
“But the White Lady is dead,” Evelyn said. “I burned her a fortnight ago, but you knew that, didn’t you.”
She remembered the White Lady’s shocked eyes as Evelyn’s magic brought her down, as flame engulfed her and ate away her dark spirit. How did Riven intend to succeed without a dark witch by his side, without the body parts?
“Ah, yes. The White Lady,” Riven said. “I guess I have you to thank. Her screams were quite a delight.”
“You let her die,” Evelyn said with a shake of her head.
“She took McKenna’s eyes before I had the chance to turn her. Went against my orders. I swore we’d find enough descendants, but that witch had an agenda of her own, and hung McKenna’s body as a message. She believed herself to be in charge.”
“McKenna’s lover was a sailor,” Evelyn said with another shake of her head.
Riven said nothing, but his eyes flashed with a dangerous gleam.
Evelyn wavered between keenness and self-preservation. She wanted to know the truth, but she also wanted to get back to Kade. She thought of everything they’d learned. The clues. The unanswered questions.
“You promised McKenna forever, didn’t you? You were the lover she had and met in the night.”
“After the White Lady derailed my plans, I had to kill a sailor and cover my tracks. I only killed McKenna so I could turn her while the White Lady took care of the rest. She took such delight in killing, feeding her dark magic. Though I believe the White Lady’s last choice in descendants did cost her life, and I warned her about using your friend, but she did not particularly like you.”
Evelyn’s hands burst with more flame. At the mention of Aster, her desire for justice rose again.
Riven’s jade eyes—fucking flames, so much like Tovi’s—tracked her hands. Not with fear, but with curiosity.
“But all that does not matter,” Riven said with an edge. “I have all I need now.”
“What about the Far Darrig, the kelpie . . .” Evelyn said.
A cool breeze wisped by Evelyn.
“Allies of the darkness,” Riven whispered into her ear from behind. “You have no idea what has started since you left Sorin.”
Evelyn’s instinct almost made her jump, but she would not balk from fear or intimidation. She kicked the desk forward, toppling it and creating space for her to step forward and attack. She pivoted, shooting her flame upward.
Riven’s movements were unlike the vampyrs Evelyn had fought. He was agile, not flighty and jerky. He fought like one would dance—fluidly. He moved enough for her flame to miss, his blond hair swaying, his eyes alight with mischief.
Then he attacked. She countered his blows, which were full of force and hard like stone. She cried out when he landed a blow to her gut, but sent a wave of flame that grazed his black vest. Riven writhed and discarded his vest before the flame reached too much of his skin. Welts formed on his chest, steam rising and a putrid scent filling the air.
Evelyn rushed toward the door, intending to run into the street and call for help. To warn Kade and all the rest who the vampyr was.
Yet, Riven beat her to it, a predatorial glare overtaking his previously playful demeanor. He’d not enjoyed her flame, then.
Good.
Evelyn mastered enough flame to rise past her elbows. The room was getting dangerously hot, her confidence searing the air. “I will burn you where you stand, vampyr.”
“On the contrary, you will comply,” Riven said as he stepped toward her.
Evelyn did not waver. She did not blink. Nor did she calm her flame.
