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This isn’t the act of a dutiful sister.It’s a betrayal carved from necessity, born from years of being kept small.He would’ve never handed me the crown.So I took the throne in the only language this world understands—force.

The weight of it sits heavy, but not unfamiliar.Not unwelcome.Maybe this is what power tastes like.Metallic.Quiet.Inevitable.

Somewhere deep in the marrow of me, a voice whispers that this is the beginning of my descent.That once you tie up your own blood, there's no return from the abyss.

But maybe the abyss is where I was meant to rule.

I tighten my grip on my lap, my nails digging into the fabric of my dress.My mind drifts back to earlier today in Eamon’s office.

Seamus lets out a slow breath.“And what exactly do you want from me?”

“I need your help kidnapping my brother.”

He stares at me for a long moment.Then, he laughs, shaking his head.“You’re out of your fucking mind.”

I expected that reaction and I’m prepared to state my case.“I’m trying to convince Ruairi to let me run the Syndicate with him,” I explain, keeping my voice even.“But he refuses to listen.He’s left me with no choice but to take drastic measures.”

Seamus leans back in his chair, arms crossing over his chest.“And you think I’d help you why, exactly?”

I meet his gaze, unwavering.“Because once I have control, I’ll put an end to this war between the Syndicates.And that means Eamon stays safe.”

That makes him pause.He exhales slowly, studying me with calculating eyes.“You’ve got some balls.I’ll give you that.”

I stay quiet, letting him think it over.

After a moment, he asks, “Why not go directly to Eamon?”

“Because this isn’t his fight.If I want to prove I’m capable, I need to do this on my own.I need to show that I can use the resources available to me.That I know how to do this.”

Seamus pushes back his chair and stands, taking his time as he walks toward me.He gets close enough that I catch the faint scent of whiskey and gunpowder on his skin.I force myself to hold my ground, even as every instinct warns me to step back.

“I don’t trust you.You’re the reason this war started in the first place,” he admits, leaning in just a fraction more, his voice darkening.“I’ve told Eamon to get rid of you more times than I can count.”

My pulse kicks up as I counter, “And yet, here I am.”

That earns me a short, humorless chuckle.“Yeah,” he mutters.“Because for some goddamn reason, Eamon sees something in you.Something worth keeping.”

Seamus considers me for another long moment.“Fine.I’ll help you.Not because I like you, but because if you really have the power you claim you do, this war ends, and we can all get back to business as usual.”

His expression hardens, and his next words come like a threat wrapped in steel.“But make no mistake, Aoife, if you turn on Eamon, if you backstab me or fuck this up in any way, I’ll kill you myself.”

The weight of his words settles between us.But I don’t show a hint of doubt.

Instead, I extend my hand.“Then I guess we have a deal.”

Once I set the meeting with Ruairi, all it took was a few calls.The owners of the Cobblestone are loyal to Eamon.They locked their doors and closed for the day.Not patrons, not strangers.Most were the pub’s staff mixed with several of Eamon’s foot soldiers who were told to play a part.The bartender pouring drinks, the old man in the corner nursing a pint—they were all in on it.

Ruairi never saw it coming.

And now, he’s heading toward a fate he could’ve never predicted.A trap set by his own sister.

Seamus drives in silence, focused on the road ahead.He hasn’t asked me if I’m sure about this.Maybe because he already knows the answer.

I sit straighter as the castle comes into view, its towering stone silhouette cutting against the night sky.The gates open before us, and the moment we roll inside, guards are already stepping forward to help.

Ruairi doesn’t stir as they lift him from the car.His head lolls to the side, his body slack as they carry him inside.

I expect them to take him to one of the holding rooms in the underground area that Eamon brought me to.But instead of going to the hidden staircase, we move deeper inside the castle.Until we reach a heavy metal grate embedded in the floor.