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Marc had even told Ithan that the Viper Queen dealt not in money, but in favors and intel. He’d walked right into that trap.
“He then tried to have a necromancer raise her from the dead,” Sabine went on, gesturing to the Reaper. “So she might be his puppet for usurping me.”
“That is not—”
The Astronomer added, “And when I heard what had befallen her …” The Astronomer gave Sigrid a pitying look. “I petitioned the Under-King for her release so that I could immediately bring her to the Den, to you good people.”
This couldn’t be happening.
Sabine grinned. It sure as fuck was happening. “This morning, Sigrid informed me that when she was faced with this unspeakable enslavement,” Sabine said, “she wanted to protect her people, so she chose the existence of a Reaper instead. And she has made her way here at last, to be my heir.”
There was a shocked silence.
He’d been a stupid fucking fool to think that Sigrid would be like Danika, that she might have chosen to be a Reaper and still want joy and peace and what was best for the wolves—instead of the pure hate that now gleamed in her eyes as she glowered at Ithan.
But Amelie was blinking at Sabine. She was Sabine’s heir. To name another, and a Reaper, at that …
Perry glanced between her sister and Sabine, then at the Reaper. “Why don’t you let your new heir speak for herself, Sabine?”
Sabine snarled at Perry, and Perry backed away a step.
Ithan’s hackles rose at the fear, the submission.
“Everyone knows the Holstroms have long desired to replace the Fendyrs,” Sabine went on.
“Bullshit,” Ithan spat.
“Our traditions continue because they are strong,” Sabine said to the crowd. The Astronomer stepped closer to Sigrid’s side, eyeing the wolves. “To listen to this boy spew the propaganda of a renegade witch—”
“Go to the Bone Quarter,” Ithan cut in. “Plead with the Under-King to grant you an audience with my brother. Connor will tell you—”
“Only the scum of the House of Flame and Shadow can do such things,” Sabine sneered.
“Your heir,” Perry said with quiet authority, “is in that House, Sabine.”
Sabine gave Perry a simpering smile that made Ithan see red. “Sigrid has defected to Earth and Blood.” The crowd murmured again. “And,” Sabine continued, “she will dwell here from now on. As your future Prime Apparent.”
The Astronomer nodded, his long beard grazing the belt around his draped robes. “After convincing the Under-King to release her into my care, it pains me to again part with my daughter-of-the-heart, but for your benefit, I shall. Sigrid is henceforth a part of your Den—a true wolf.”
“I don’t recall approving the request,” said an old, withered voice. The crowd hushed as the Prime hobbled through the doors. Even the Astronomer lowered his head in deference.
Sabine must have coached Sigrid, because the wolf dropped to her knees before the Prime and bowed her head. “Grandfather,” she rasped.
People gasped at the sound of her voice. The hoarse whisper of a Reaper.
The Prime peered down at Sigrid’s sallow face. Her acid-green eyes. The wounds on her throat, her neck.
He said nothing as his milky eyes slid to Ithan. Sorrow and pain filled them.
Ithan swallowed hard, but held his ground. “I’m sorry. I … I didn’t mean for it to turn out like this.” The attention of the crowd pushed on his skin like a weight. “I was trying to make things right.”
“At the expense of the wolves’ future,” Sabine snapped.
Ithan reached over his shoulder and drew the weapon he’d brought from Bryce’s bedroom.
The Fendyr sword whined as it came free of its sheath. Sabine’s eyes flared with fury and longing—
But Ithan knelt before the ancient Prime and bowed his head, lifting the blade in offering.
