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Tisiphone’s lips twitched in a sneer.

“An enforcer so brutal that the realm of demons kicked you out? You didn’t care for the truth, so you changed the rhetoric.” Eryn tongued the back of her teeth and held her glass comfortably. Subtly, sucking in air she didn’t need for survival, she primed her lungs. “How did your birth sisters really die? Were you too cowardly to save them?”

“Alecto’s anger got her killed.” Tisiphone’s knuckles whitened as she gripped her glass. “Magaera could not be saved from herself.”

Fury boiled in her veins as she realized the depravity.

Tisiphone’s code was diabolical.

“You killed them, didn’t you? You were too cowardly to be alone. To let them have lives without you.”

Glass shattered. Blood mixed with wine and oozed down Tisiphone’s broken skin.

Eryn watched. Waiting. The confession didn’t come.

Now. It was now or never. Eryn moved closer and popped a cheese cube into her mouth. “Lexi would have had cheddar and sour cream potato chips set out with our snack, even though she doesn’t like them. A good sister knows her sister well. And cares.”

Tisiphone’s focus flickered toward the food.

Eryn took another step closer. Less than an arm’s length away.

Tisiphone’s lips curled back. “Does she lie to you? Break your heart, as you have done to me?”

Her blood chilled. Eryn lifted her glass to take a casual sip. “Yes.”

Tisiphone landed a pitying, almost sad look on her. “I had such high hopes for you. There is still a chance, to save Lexi.”

“You don’t know my sister at all, do you? She’ll happily spend the rest of her life amongst the werewolves.”

“Too careless to even fake his death. To staunch the rumors flying around the hospital.”

Shit. Tisiphone didn’t crash the fundraiser. “You must love walking so freely amongst humans. Gossiping. Chatting as dear friends with everyone. Lexi thinks you black widow your dates.”

“I’ve lived here for years. You didn’t think I lived in a cave, did you?”

“I should feel flattered, that you’ve taken to stalking me lately. Paid a bigger bribe at the airfield than Vann paid, I suppose. Buddied up with my coworkers to get the best gossip.”

“Oh, you’re so sweet. I’ve had your sisters following you and Lexi for months, and I’ve been fucking your boss since the fundraiser—when I saw you cozied up with a hunter.”

Her stomach wrenched. Lightheaded.

Tisiphone nodded for Eryn to finish her drink. “If I hadn’t known better, I’d almost have believed your claim to have fed off the soul of a demon hunter.”

“I have.” Eryn drained her glass and set it on the counter.

Tisiphone paused.

“Not just a hunter, but one stronger than you.” Eryn stepped close and angled her chin up with a threat. Fists balling. Lips in a sneer, Eryn dripped furious arrogance. “It was like nothing else. The soul of a demon is… exquisite.”

Tisiphone’s lips curled into a ravenous smile. Her expression glowed. “Wait until you get a taste of your lover’s soul. When you drink his dying light, you will become absolute fury.”

Screams burst outside. Ear-splitting. Mind piercing.

Windows rattled. Candlelight flickered.

Eryn drowned it out and focused on the moment. She lifted her hand.

The front door burst open.