Shifting into black smoke drains my energy, leaving me exhausted. I sigh, hoping my strength returns before I tear that wretched bird apart and claim my mate. A dark chuckle escapes my lips as I sink into the silk sheets of my bed, teetering on the edge of sleep—until a knock shatters the silence.
I stomp to the door, yanking it open with such force that a dent forms in the wall. My jaw clenches. What now?
"What could you possibly need, Sierra? I'm busy."
A light laugh follows, taunting and amused. "Oh, my dear brother, is that any way to speak to your loving sister?"
I resist the urge to rip that smug expression off her face. If she weren't my sister, I would have slit her throat ages ago. Instead, I step aside, allowing her to glide inside with that eerie grace she always carries.
"Vlad, we are twins, for god's sake. I know when you move through this castle—we're bound by blood. And don't forget," she smirks, "I hold just as much power as you."
She's too soft to rule, I think bitterly.
Our father favors her over me, always has, because our mother loved me more than she ever loved him. He never forgave her for that. So he killed her—with a silver dagger—stealing not only her life but my humanity with it.
"I found my mate, Sierra," I say, a grin spreading across my face. "She's powerful—more powerful than anything I've ever felt in this life."
Her eyebrow arches, curiosity flickering in her golden eyes. "How so?"
"She's half angel, half demon."
Sierra's smirk falters. "That's impossible, Vlad. There hasn't been one like that in five thousand years."
I step closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "It's real, sister. I swear it."
For the first time in centuries, I feel hope—not for love, no. Love is a weakness, a chain I severed long ago. But power? Power is absolute. And my mate will help me take it.
Sierra studies me, then nods. "Tell me when, and I'll aid you—if I can. You know Father keeps a close watch on me." She turns and glides from the room, shutting the door behind her.
Father.
The mere thought of him ignites a rage so deep it threatens to consume me whole. He has beaten me, shattered my bones, painted the walls with my blood. He has chained me like an animal, called me weak, worthless. The jagged scar across my face, the empty socket where my right eye used to be—it was his parting gift. The silver knife he used to carve my flesh was the same one he buried in my mother's chest.
And yet, I have become his reflection.
A ruthless monster. A creature of nightmares. A king without a crown.
But soon, that will change. I will rip him from his throne, watch the light fade from his eyes as I drive my blade through his heart. Then, I will take my mate—not as my queen, but as my sacrifice. Her blood will anoint my rule, and when I have no use for her, I will cast her broken body to the lycans.
No one will stop me.
I will burn the world if I have to.