The laughter stopped. Everything went silent. Even the wind outside the broken windows seemed to hold its breath.
Serenity helped Riven to his feet. The black veins across his chest were fading, but he still looked pale.
"What's coming?" she whispered to Elder Thalia.
Before the old woman could answer, the temperature dropped twenty degrees in an instant. Ice crystals formed on the walls. Everyone's breath came out in white puffs.
"Well, well," a smooth voice said from the darkness.
A figure stepped through the broken doorway. He was tall and fluid, moving like a dancer. His skin was pale as snow, his hair black as midnight, and his eyes—blood red.
"Prince Veyric," Elder Thalia breathed.
The vampire smiled, showing perfect white teeth. Two of them were slightly longer than the rest.
"Hello, Thalia. Still playing with predictions, I see."
Behind him, six vampire troops entered, clad in black armor, their red eyes glowing. Serenity felt Riven tense beside her. Kael growled low in his throat.
"Stay calm," Serenity whispered. "We don't know what he wants."
"I know exactly what he wants," Sable said with a bitter laugh. "He wants you, sister."
Prince Veyric's gaze fixed on Serenity. "Smart girl. Though I prefer to think of it as offering protection."
"From what?" Serenity asked.
"From them." He pointed at the cracks spreading along the walls. "Your shadow sisters are gathering. Soon they'll break through completely."
"How do you know about the shadow sisters?" Kael demanded.
"Because I've been watching." Veyric's pale fingers traced the air. "I felt the moment they were made. Dark magic calls to dark magic."
"You're dark magic?" Serenity asked.
"Child, I'm over one hundred fifty years old. I've seen nations rise and fall, watched species go extinct, fed on the blood of kings and beggars alike." His smile was beautiful and terrible. "Of course I'm dark magic."
Riven raised his crossbow. "Stay back."
"Peace, assassin." Veyric didn't even glance at him. "I'm not here to fight."
"Then why are you here?" Serenity stepped forward. Power hummed beneath her skin like lightning.
"To save you."
"From who?"
"From making the wrong choice." His red eyes locked on hers. "Three men want you now. The cursed Alpha who needs you to break his chains. The assassin who clings to childhood vows. And me."
"What do you want from me?"
"Everything. Your power. Your loyalty. Your presence in my court."
"In exchange for what?"
"Safety. Knowledge. The chance to become what you were meant to be."
Serenity felt something stir in her chest. Not desire, but curiosity. Something about this vampire prince felt familiar.
"Have we met before?" she asked.
Veyric's perfect face flickered with emotion. "Not exactly. But I knew your mother."
The words hit like a blow. Serenity stumbled back. "My mother is dead."
"Yes. And I failed to save her."
Silence filled the hall. Even the injured wolves stopped whining.
"You loved her," Serenity whispered.
"I did." His voice cracked. "More than my own existence."
"Then why didn't you protect her?"
"Because she chose your father instead. A Nightborn Wolf over a vampire prince. Love over power." Pain flashed in his eyes. "And now you want me because I look like her?"
"You look exactly like her. Same silver eyes. Same black hair. Same stubborn tilt of the chin."
"I'm not my mother."
"No. You're better. She had wolf blood and fae power. But you…" His eyes burned brighter. "You have something new. The power to choose your own destiny."
Behind them, Kael growled. "Pretty words. You're still trying to use her."
"Am I?" Veyric turned. "Tell me, wolf. What happens when Serenity breaks your curse? Do you set her free, or bind her forever?"
"The curse ties us together. If she breaks it, we'll be bonded for life."
"So you're using her too."
"It's different."
"Is it?"
He shifted his gaze to Riven. "And you, assassin? Protect her out of guilt? Make up for lost time?"
"I just want to keep her safe," Riven said softly.
"Noble. But selfish still. You all want something from her. At least I'm honest."
"What exactly are you offering?" Serenity asked.
"A place in my court. Vampires don't mate like wolves. No curses. No fate. Just choice."
"And if I say no?"
"Then you're free. But consider this—your shadow sisters are coming. Stronger than the one you faced. And they have help."
"What kind of help?"
"The kind that wants to see the supernatural world burn."
Thunder rumbled outside. But it wasn't a storm.
"They're here," Elder Thalia whispered.
Through the broken windows came the sound of breaking glass, then screams, then silence.
"My soldiers won't hold them long," Veyric said calmly. "We need to leave. Now."
"I'm not going anywhere with you," Serenity said.
"Then you'll die here. Along with everyone you care about."
More screams echoed outside.
"How many are there?" Kael asked.
"Seven shadow sisters. Plus their master."
"The creature had a master?" Serenity's blood ran cold.
"Did you think something that powerful appeared by accident?" Veyric's tone was grim. "Someone made them. Someone who wants you dead—or controlled."
"Who?"
"I'll tell you if you come with me."
"That's blackmail."
"That's survival."
The castle shook violently. Cracks split across the floor.
"Choose," Veyric urged. "Now."
Serenity looked at Kael, dying slowly under his curse. At Riven, who had risked everything to protect her. At Sable, whose sharp eyes missed nothing.
Three men. Three paths. And shadows closing in.
"If I go with you," she said, "what happens to them?"
"They can come. My castle has room for guests."
"All of them?"
"Even the traitor," Veyric said, eyeing Sable. "Though I make no promises about her safety."
"And if I stay to break Kael's curse?"
"Then you all die here. Tonight."
The walls groaned. Dust rained from above.
Serenity closed her eyes. When she opened them, her decision was made.
"I'll come with you. But on one condition."
"Name it."
"Everyone comes. Everyone stays safe. And you tell me the truth about who controls the shadow sisters."
"Agreed."
"Then let's go."
"Excellent choice." Veyric smiled and whistled. His vampire guards appeared in formation. "Escort our guests to the carriages."
As they moved toward the exit, Riven touched Serenity's arm.
"Are you sure about this?" he whispered.
"No. But it's better than death."
"Is it?"
Before she could reply, a new voice cut through the hall.
"Going somewhere, little sister?"
Everyone froze.
A figure stood in the doorway—tall, pale, with silver eyes and black hair. But this wasn't a shadow. This was real.
"Hello, Serenity," the figure said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
Serenity's breath caught. The face was hers.
"Surprised?" the girl asked. "You shouldn't be. After all…"
She pulled back her hood, revealing blood-red hair.
"We're twins."
Behind her stepped six more figures. All female. All with Serenity's face. All smiling with terrible grins.
"Did you miss me?" the twin with red hair asked. "Because I certainly missed you."
The ghost sisters had arrived. And they weren't alone.