Chapter 545: Second Great War

"Whoa, calm down," Micah said quickly, stepping back when Violet’s golden eyes flared and shadows coiled around her palm.

He could take her in a fight, yes, he was skilled, trained, and fast on his feet. But one wrong slip, and Violet’s power would kill him before he even blinked.

"What do you want?" Violet growled, her voice shaking with rage. "To take me to him?"

"No!" Micah blurted. "I stood my ground, I wouldn’t do that!"

Her fury eased, but her guard didn’t drop. "Why?" she asked, scrutinizing him.

"Because I’m not stupid, Violet," Micah said. "You’re the only chance we have against Angus."

"You want me to fight him?"

Micah shook his head. "Not alone. You can’t beat him like that. But Angus is coming for the throne, and you, as his heir, can’t let it happen."

"I’m not the rightful heir," Violet replied. "You are."

"They’ll never accept me. Not in this lifetime. I’m half demon, you’re Fae and strong enough that no one would dare challenge you. You’re the perfect heir."

Violet scoffed bitterly. "Perfect heir? Elijah will kill me the second he finds out what I am."

"I don’t think so," Micah said firmly.

"Why not?"

"If Elijah knows his brother is alive, then he knows he’ll need allies. Angus made him sterile, Violet. He hates him for it. You think that bitterness just comes out of nowhere? He won’t kill you. He’ll use you. You’re a weapon he can aim at Angus. But he’ll never set you free. Elijah loves control too much."

"That’s not comforting." Violet’s chest tightened. The thought of being someone’s puppet made her sick. At least Asher had a conscience, Elijah? The man’s sheer crazy.

Micah’s voice dropped lower. "That’s not even why I pulled you aside."

Violet’s pulse spiked. "Then why?"

Goddess knows what’s next now.

"I didn’t tell you everything about our father and that is why you must be careful..." Micah paused, then said. "Because you’re not Angus’s only living heir."

Her stomach dropped. "What?"

"There are seven of your sisters out there."

Her jaw fell. "What?!"

Violet’s eyes locked on Micah. She wished there was even a bit of light to help her study his face properly to see if this was one of his cruel jokes. But the tension in the air told her he was dead serious.

"Nah..." She laughed, but it came out hollow. "That’s not possible."

But Micah wouldn’t say this without proof. He wasn’t the type to spin lies out of thin air. The weight of it slammed into her chest, and Violet stumbled back. All this time she thought she was alone. An only child. Now, to find out she had seven sisters out there?

Was fate fucking with her?

As if Micah could read her thoughts, he said, "Don’t get flustered, thinking this would be a sweet family reunion. No. Our siblings are as bad as they come. Why do you think I attacked you the day I found out you were my sister?"

"What are you talking about?" Violet demanded.

"Your sisters are Angus’s perfect little soldiers," Micah said coldly. "I’ve had enough encounters with them over the years to know you should never go easy on them. Don’t even let them in." His mouth twisted, remembering something. "Oh, right. It’s actually eight of them. Your father killed the third one. She rebelled against him and she paid dearly with her life."

Violet’s stomach turned. Just when she thought Angus couldn’t sink lower, he proved himself a monster. Not only had he killed his own child, but he had roped her other siblings into his madness. A family she might have had was now twisted beyond recognition.

Violet narrowed her eyes. "How do you know about this? Last time I asked, you claimed you had no idea where Angus was. And now suddenly, you’re telling me all this? Why? What’s your real motive?"

This brother of hers was not reliable. But then again, he was a demon.

No, don’t do that, Violet.

She scolded herself. She couldn’t stereotype him because of what he was. But still, she had to be careful.

"I’m telling you because you’re the only one I can even consider an ally among our father’s children. And I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you..." Micah trailed off, clearing his throat, his gaze shifting away from hers.

Violet blinked at him, startled. Was he indirectly admitting he cared about her?

Before the awkwardness could linger, he went on, "As for my sources, don’t forget, I’m still the oracle. There’s no secret safe from me."

But Violet said flatly, "Really?"

Micah let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. I get my information from both the living and the dead."

"Huh?"

"People die every day," Micah breathed. "And souls in hell confess plenty when they’re screaming in torment."

Figures. Violet reasoned. The amount of information this guy had was terrifying at times.

"If there’s anyone among your siblings you need to watch out for, it’s Ziva. She’s the most ruthless, the most devilish. The temple attack? Probably her work. Thank the goddess you didn’t fall for that."

Thank the goddess indeed. Right now, that familiar anger was back, and it was because of Ziva. Sister or not, that bitch had crossed a line. Goddess help her the day they meet.

"I think this is it."

"What?"

"The second great war."

Violet swallowed hard, dread curling in her stomach. It wasn’t just the idea of war — it was the feeling she would be tangled right in the middle of it. She didn’t want to carry the weight of hundreds of deaths, human or werewolf. That was a guilt she could never live with. If anything, she had to find a way to stop it.

"Angus said something that unsettled me," Micah went on. "He talked about ruling ’them.’ At first, I thought he meant wolves. But that was a question I asked about the humans. That stuck with me. Do you know it’s the presidential elections this year?"

"And?" Violet frowned. She didn’t see the link.

Micah’s eyes darkened. "There’s a strong chance Angus is backing one of the candidates. If that man wins, he’s nothing but Angus’s puppet. And whoever becomes president of Dorminia—"

"...Has control over the humans, and the fate of wolves," Violet finished, realization dawning on her.

"Exactly."

"My God." A shiver ran down Violet’s spine.

Her eyes sharpened with calculation. "If Angus’s man takes power, he’ll shield him. He’ll support him in secret and turn a blind eye to everything he does after. Angus would be untouchable." She bit down on her nails without realizing it. "This is bad," she whispered, shaky.