“After what Ruxnoth’s clearly done and said to him, you mean?”
“Yes. It was clear to me when I first met Winter that he has deep-rooted insecurities regarding being accepted. However, as he drew closer to us, he began to heal. He recognized that there were three people who adore him dearly because of who he is—not in spite of what he is. Even here at the Academy, that is predominantly the case. However, following his abduction, he is now intensely craving acceptance in the absolute from the supernatural world. He told Sylas that the world doesn’t want him.”
“Ruxnoth’s indoctrination.”
“Indeed.”
I gritted my teeth. “He’d even become comfortable sharing his need for feeding with us. That was how far along he’d come.”
“And he will again. With our efforts.”
“Our date night is a great time to step this up, now we’ve settled back into things.” I sank back against the chair. “But, Vaxan, about the rest, the Ruxnoth threat… that’s not gonna be able to be kept quiet for long. And with Cornelius likely knowing about the warning from House Athyras, the moment it’s linked to Ruxnoth… I know Cornelius sees Velra as family, but hisblood family is directly impacted by the whole True Celestial thing. Especially Ariana Martel. And then one of her boyfriends being Kai who is Sylas’ best friend. Then Vorzyr being Torvek’s brother. Vorzyr’s Primal Celestial Resonance abilities being a means to possibly take down Ruxnoth’s True Celestial power—”
“And Torvek’s same abilities.”
I jolted. “What?”
He gave me a withering look. “It’s always been suspected that Vorzyr’s special abilities that are beyond just dragon had been passed down to his younger brother. But it was never able to be proven, buried beneath shields and falsities that your father and grandmother erected to protect him from being banished like Vorzyr for being an ‘impure dragon’.”
“Then why do you even suspect that it’s more than just rumor and possibility?”
“He had the hubris to attack Winter. To believe he could stand against him, it pointed to a supreme confidence rooted in something… more. I gauge patterns, remember?” His expression softened. “I know he is a brother to you and I would never speak of this beyond us or those who are already aware. You have my solemn vow.”
“Fuck,” I breathed, shoving a hand through my hair.
“As for this situation being on borrowed time, that will only be the case if using the likes of Ariana, Vorzyr, or Torvek are required to defeat Ruxnoth.”
“True Celestial power against a True Celestial seems like a surefire necessity, right?”
“Perhaps not. Sylas and Kai Hunter have both harmed True Celestial beings with other magics.”
“Shit, you think that’s what Sylas is gonna try to do?”
“He has a vial of that infection Ruxnoth afflicted Winter with in his lab that he’s testing. We already know that Ambrose andKetheron are the ones charged with trying to locate Sanctus, so he’s not using it for that purpose.”
“He thinks he can destroy the threat before any of this gets out?”
“I believe so.”
My phone buzzed, jarring me.
Vaxan’s followed a moment later.
We both pulled them free to find some texts had come into the Group Chat.
Zayn:You’re running late, sex pots. And just to be clear, I’m standing at the garage right now and I still have the keys to your sweet-ass Lambo, hot fucking snake prince.
Winter:Approaching garage. Did you know Z still has your keys, Vax?
Winter:Ah, just read his text before mine. Guess you do now.
Zayn:Win!
Winter:You just told him and Evira yourself.
Zayn:Yeah, but you didn’t know that at the time.
Winter:You know why I had to. Preemptive necessity.
