Bound by fate marked by betrayal

Ten years of silence

mpire markets, the lantern-lit streets, the whispers of deals and secrets-none of it touched her. To ev

exactly wha

h the commanding amber of the Nightborne line, her posture softened, her movements deliberately unremark

iet exterior, a sto

ecise. She practiced the art of combat, the subtle manipulation of blood magic, the silent control of sens

of the room twist unnaturally under her power. "Every movement counts.

wrist-faded now but still a memory. Lysander's

e. And now she would

sses. She had made herself small, unthreatening, but she absorbed everything. She memorized faces, gestures,

tient. To wait. To strik

iven-it was taken. And she intended to take ever

r: a grand council of vampire lords, convened to discuss alliances, territories, and the future of the c

nevitably, would

reality was different. Damien Valcourt-the vampire who had been closest to her brother, the heir to the

him mour

ny had a cruel

against the silver-lit stone. The city smelled of fire and magic, of centuries of power layered atop each other. She felt it all-the sub

h wards of silver and blood-red. Floating lanterns hovered without flame, casting eerie light across the faces

lse of magic, every tension in the room. Her amber eyes scanned carefully, cataloging a

she sa

n Val

he hall with the precision of a predator, and for a moment, the room seemed to shift

his gaze

clenched. She refused to acknowledge it, but the pulse of it was undeniable

phina remained hidden, letting him think she was still the fragile shadow he had mourned. She watched h

eved he

o

again. She would con

veneers of civility. Alliances were suggested, rivalries hinted at, subtle threats woven

t slip-a name, whispered

alty is questionable, especi

me, remembered the quiet fear her father had shown when dealing w

but powerful, had appeared. The traitor might very well be in thi

adow among the crowd. His amber eyes locked on hers again, an

tly, the words carrying thro

letting her voice carry the weig

ved his lips. "I've mourned you for years. And now, you appear b

said coldly. "And

ing. "Careful, Seraphina. Revenge

tting the lie hang between t

ed her fists, determined not to let it influence

t Damien. He was unaware of the magnitude of her power, the depth of her

And she would uncover every secret, expose

eant walking

nt confronting

ssacre, hidden queen of vengeance, a