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Zane seems to consider the request. “You’re pinning the deaths on the House of Gold and Garnet. I want to know why you’re intent on starting a war, first. The plan was always to create infighting with the syndicates.”
“I have a better plan,” Kor says. “You want a war between the other syndicates and the Outcast Coven, but that’s thinking too small. For the number of deaths you want, it needs to be on a larger scale.”
What in the death plane are these idiots going on about?
Zane scoffs. “I’m also interested in a world remaining when the death goddess has surfaced. We’ve talked about this.”
My eyes widen. “You want to summon the death goddess?”
Zane grins. “Of course. I intend to fuck her, then show her what death looks like. She must be tired of watching everyone else die. It’s time she took a turn.”
What a noble goal.
Kor blows out a breath. “If you really want the death goddess to surface, it’s going to take a lot more than a thousand deaths. All we managed to do is bury the death stone.”
Zane hums. “You don’t have to lie to me, son. I can see that you’ve broken Daithi’s control on you and the death stone is hidden, not gone. You’re playing a game of your own, which is why I put a little fail-safe in place to keep the patriarchs in charge. They’re key to my plans, because once I take the death goddess’s power, I’llownthem.” He runs his tongue over his lower lip. “So you’d best be on my good side, son. I’m going to be very powerful by the time this is all over.”
Kor frowns and I have a feeling my father’s done something to worsen our situation.
“What kind of fail-safe?” he asks instead of responding to our father’s threat.
Zane smirks. “I had some extra devices placed in key figures that’ll wreak havoc on the Outcast Coven and buy the patriarchs some time to figure their shit out. I still need them in charge for my plan to work. The patriarchs will handle their women—and I will handlethem.”
I don’t like the sound of that.
“Meaning?” Kor presses.
“Four matriarchs are dead.”
Kor doesn’t move. In fact, he remains perfectly still and unresponsive.
Which means he’spissed.
“The matriarchs took control of the Outcast Coven when Ishara Doyle killed the patriarchs,” Kor says with a level tone. “You think disrupting them and sending their fragile leadership into chaos is going to help you achieve your goal? You’ve only made matters more difficult.”
Zane doesn’t seem to agree. He takes a lengthy sip from his drink, then swirls the ice as he rests his bandaged stump on the arm of the chair. It’s not bleeding anymore, but there’s enough residue to stain the upholstery. “No, I’ve simply made sure you can’t fuck things up for me, my son. You’re going to be a vessel and I’m going to make sure that you keep to your role. I need the patriarchs to help me contain the goddess, like they do the matriarchs, and when I drink her blood, I’m going to become the most powerful death-magic vampire hybrid the world has ever seen.”
His eyes sparkle with the pathetic goal.
It doesn’t surprise me that he wants to force the goddess to turn him into what his sons are—to prove to his fragile ego that he is still the best. It’s so… unoriginal.
“You’re worse than the patriarchs,” Kor snarls, finally allowing his mask to slip.
Zane beams as if that’s a compliment. “I would hope so. They settle for their females, try to control them and siphon their power, but the death goddess they don’t even recognize is the true prize. They think I’m a fanatic believing in a lost deity. Imagine their faces when I bring her to our realm and feast on her blood.” His blue eyes sparkle with cruelty. “Imagine how she’lltaste.” He licks his lips. “Maybe I’ll join Royce’s game to find this little witch of yours. She’s the closest thing to a death goddess any of us will taste until this is done.” He grins. “I, too, have no problem indulging in a hunt to pass the time. If you manage to keep her from both Royce and me, then you’ll prove a worthy vessel.” He shrugs. “And if not, well, at least I’ll have a taste of one of the most powerful death witches to exist. Not a shabby runner-up prize.”
I take a page from Kor’s book and remain stoically still as my father finally takes his leave.
If I move, I’ll fall into bloodlust and have his head—or die trying.
And I’m not sure what’ll happen next. Would I hurt the shifter in my room?
Or would I find Issy and do something worse?
The answer is a bloody smear in my mind as silence envelops us and Kor finally blows out a breath.
“Change of plans. The matriarchs are going to be in chaos right now and looking for someone to blame. I doubt they’ll buy that it was the other Houses. They’re going to be looking for allies to the patriarchs and they’re going to sniff out this place. Let my father deal with that.”
“I don’t give two shits about matriarchs, patriarchs, or the Houses,” I growl. I flex my fist around the hilt of my blade and scrape the point across the floor, leaving a groove. “Zane and Royce threatened Ishara.”
