Page 117 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

A shadow wrapped around my calf.

Kylo nodded, the movement forced. “I would say that’s a fair assumption.”

“Did you get to speak to Conrad?” Commander Lachlan asked.

“Yes.”

The room waited, and I started from the beginning. I told them exactly what the lords said—that they knew about our glamoured neighborhoods and hidden numbers, but that we’d be crushed no matter what we were hiding. How war wasunwinnable, and Rune only prevailed in Valentin because war would’ve destroyed everyone on the island if it had continued.

As I spoke, I studied the faces of each turned.

Not a single person blinked in surprise. No one showed even a shred of doubt or worry.

It soothed me. Yet, I couldn’t help but compare the unflinching confidence of both clans of vampires.

Both sets of conviction couldn’t be true.

One clan had to be wrong.

Terribly wrong.

“The bit about Valentin was half-true. That’s the useful born spin on reality,” Kylo muttered. “The turned and mortals were the decisive victors. They pushed the born out of all previous strongholds. But the born were humiliated, and they refused to play by any fair code of ethics. They went on vengeful rampages, destroying entire villages of innocent mortal civilians. And King Earle still needed mortals to produce Valentin’s most valuable exports. He signed the treaty that named Rune and the turned as the rightful leaders of Aristelle to preserve what was left of the born and the mortal populations. But it wasn’t a draw—far from it. No one got precisely what they wanted, considering the born still exist in Valentin.”

“And they’re pushing for round two, if the rumors are to be believed,” Blade added.

“That wouldnotbe good for us,” Harmony said.

“Well, I don’t know,” Bexley said. “It would weaken Earle, spreading his army thinner if they were to be drawn into Valentin’s conflict. Not to mention, Rune might look to Ravenia for allies.”

“We’d have to rewrite the master plan,” Blade said, lifting a brow at Kylo.

Kylo shook his head. “Valentin doesn’t concern us yet unless we hear something definitive.”

I saw the spark in his eyes, and under different circumstances, it would’ve made me smile. I wondered if Kylo would marry Rune instead if he had the option.

“And what they said about the toll on mortals?” I asked.

I shifted in my seat amid the sudden silence. I didn’t want to seem like I was doubtful of the clan I’d pledged my soul to. I looked down at my forearm, the inky black sigil that shimmered slightly purple under my scrutiny.

Kylo traced the marking gently, making me shudder.

“Warwillhurt mortals. This is inevitable,” Kylo said. “It’s one of the loyalists’ main talking points, along with the nonsense Aster bolstered about Lillian’s wrath. These are fear tactics designed to preserve the status quo, to keep us from fighting back. Local governments, the council, and Earle himself do not care what is happening to mortalsnow. They only care when their own interests and quality of life are impacted. Their systems are designed to oppress, placate, patronize, and confuse. They want us exhausted. They want us weak.”

“And they’re using Juliette to accomplish that,” I said. Anger coiled around my spine. “They’re blaming us for every attack on Etherdale, claiming it’s our resistance that’s causing their violence. It’s the same method of control I was taught as a young girl. Keep the born happy at all costs, and if they harmed me, it wasmyfault. Never theirs. Because that was Lillian’s natural order.”

Kylo kissed my temple. “Mortals are already fighting with us. They’re willingly donating blood. Many more will join. Others will be caught in the crossfire, or they will even side with the born. Mortals have been suffering for a while now, facing death and abuse and slavery. War is not romantic. But sometimes, it is the only choice we have to build a better world. Violent oppressors cannot be fought with peaceful tactics.”

I released a breath. A calmness washed over me from the otherworld, like I was in alignment with truth again.

“You said Aster kept calling you and the other girlspecial,” Phineas cut in, his face a mixture of stoicism and impatience. “His draw to powerful witches and his friendship with Lord Conrad are quite curious. Did Aster seem close to the courtiers in attendance?”

I paused, reflecting on the night. The respect between the two men, the way others in the room insinuated they knew about what I’d done to my family, as if Aster had shared that information.

“Yes,” I said. “They all seemed close. You’re right—it didn’t appear as though they were all united only because of me.”

Wait. If that was true… would Aster have been in Etherdale regardless of his obsession with finding me?

“Well, all born nobility are against the turned,” Blade said, his face twisted in confusion. “Of course they’re going to unite when it serves them.”