Page 90 of Eternal Ruin

Mahlet Adane, acti, age twenty-two (imprisonment of one year)

More questions swirled in Kidan’s mind.

Dranacti disclosure… Whom had her mother told the truth about Dranacti? It sounded like a stupid mistake, spending an entire year in prison because she couldn’t help herself—

Her thoughts cleaved in half.

It wasn’t stupid at all. Not if her mother was protecting someone from a life of murder.

She clicked on the case and scrolled until she found the person her mother had told.

Adjoa Piran.

Kidan’s phone nearly cracked from the pressure of her fingers. Everything seemed to lead to this woman. And tonight, she wouldn’t leave without answers.

33.

SUSENYOS

Susenyos and Iniko browsed the Abyss Order floor, looking for a specific type of acti. Withdrawn, half hidden in the shadows, wishing they were anywhere but here. They would make the best offering.

The thought of Kidan looking for a potential husband a mere few feet away grated on Susenyos, even more so than the Qaros traitor. But the Arcane Tower did offer a rare chance to speak to actis outside of Uxlay.

To sway them.

So even though he wished he had not brought his companion here, a part of him was already thinking of its advantages.

Arin’s patience had run out and she’d given him until tonight to provide four actis before she abandoned him, and winning the Nefrasi without her support would be impossible. Placing the artifact even farther from his reach.

Having Samson arrested had won him some favor. Arin always appreciated a show of strength and cunning but time was running out.

In his drink, Susenyos mixed the last of Kidan’s blood with the alcohol, stretching the need to feed for as long as he could. It’d been nearly impossible to drive with her here, her scent intoxicating his every sense. Then there was her dress, shifting in the dark, like a red coin spinning. He’d nearly driven off the road watching the length of her body, the braids spilling at her back. Even now, every time he closed his eyes, she came in and out of his vision like a red flame, teasing, almost his but not quite.

Susenyos took a sip, wincing at the inevitable ordeal that’d soon face him. He focused on his target. A House Luroz graduate, misery etched on her face as she supported her chin on a bent hand.

“You know,” Susenyos began, sliding close.

She stiffened, as all actis did once they realized who he was. In her large eyes, he could see all the horror stories flicker. Savage Susenyos who killed his house vampires. Savage Susenyos who tricked humans into signing over their will. It had irritated him for many years but by now he’d hardened himself to it. He hadn’t wanted any new companions.

Well, until her.

From the corner of his vision, Kidan was talking to a human boy. But she’d be bored soon enough.

“You’re meant to engage in the courting,” he said casually. “There are many handsome men here.”

Lara Luroz’s eyes slid to the crowd, still keeping her distance. “I can see that.”

A dejected tone.

Then the briefest of glances to the left side of the room. To a young acti boy from House Delarus. Susenyos shifted to study him, not missing the jealousy wafting off the boy.

Perfect.

Forbidden love.

Some actis were lovers, prohibited by Uxlay law to marry one another and procreate, risking the end of a lineage and bearing Foul Children. Others wanted to leave for the simple thrill of rebelling. Then there were those who were expelled. As long as each acti was compensated well, they would be happy to leave Uxlay and join the Nefrasi.

Susenyos liked to call these potential traitors Green Grapes. Fruit that hadn’t offered wine yet.