Contents
1 Meryn
Overview
Meryn discovers Saela has been turned into a Siphon and must imprison her for everyone’s safety. With Stark and the direwolves’ help, they restrain Saela and feed her animal blood on Aldrich’s advice. Meryn shares the hidden history with Aldrich. Exhausted, she hears a ominous voice and then Killian telepathically warns of a usurper.
Summary
Meryn panics as shadows react to her emotions and Saela, newly revealed as a fanged Siphon, attacks Helene. Anassa’s command steadies Meryn. Cratos tackles Saela to prevent bloodshed, proving Saela’s alarming strength. Stark restrains Meryn, warning that newly turned Siphons are ruled by bloodlust and may kill indiscriminately.
Accepting the danger, Meryn orders secrecy and decides Saela must be secured in the dungeons. Stark binds Saela with silver chains and a gag while Grigore assists. They move her to a cell, where Saela hurls herself against the bars, unrecognizing and feral. Meryn summons Leader Aldrich for guidance.
Meryn uses her Bonded connection to share memories with Aldrich: her royalty, the curse, Alistair Brightbane’s usurpation, Stark’s help, and Killian’s flight after King Cyril’s death. Aldrich concludes Saela needs human blood to survive but suggests a large animal instead. Anassa and Cratos hunt, bringing an elk to sate Saela.
Exhausted, Meryn refuses to leave and dozes beside Stark. She experiences a void-like realm where an unknown male voice chastises her for opening a door that cannot be closed. Waking to Saela blood-sated and asleep, Meryn is struck by a needle-like mental intrusion.
Killian speaks telepathically through the Bonded network despite not being Bonded, alarming Meryn and Stark. His message is terse and threatening: “There is a usurper in your midst,” setting a new, ominous conflict.
Who Appears
- MerynProtagonist and newly Bonded queen; wields shadows; imprisons her Siphon-turned sister; shares hidden truths with Aldrich; receives Killian’s telepathic warning.
- SaelaMeryn’s eleven-year-old sister, newly turned Siphon; feral with bloodlust; restrained, imprisoned, and fed an elk to survive.
- StarkBonded warrior; restrains Meryn, helps bind Saela, provides chains and gag, and stands guard; wary of Meryn donating blood.
- AnassaMeryn’s bonded direwolf; steadies Meryn, helps restrain Saela, and hunts an elk with Cratos to feed Saela.
- CratosStark’s direwolf; tackles and restrains Saela, then hunts with Anassa to bring back an elk.
- Leader AldrichSenior Bonded leader; receives Meryn’s shared memories; advises that Saela needs blood and suggests animal substitute.
- HeleneBonded from the Daemos pack; initially bitten by Saela; sent to fetch Aldrich and keeps the incident secret.
- GrigoreBonded who assists Stark in transporting and securing Saela in the dungeon cell.
- KillianMeryn’s betrothed who fled; intrudes telepathically through the Bonded network, warning of a usurper.