Page 8 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Below,” Muriel sighed.

“That will be a problem. However, situations tend to work themselves out.”

“I hope so. Not to change the subject, but I have a little gossip for you.”

“Go on.”

“The uprising, there is more to it if what hushed voices say is true.”

“Like what?”

“It is said that the Lycans are holding a female purebred as a breeder.”

Sylvana was taken aback. “Seriously? Do you know where?”

“No. No one seems to know for sure. The information is broken at best.”

Sylvana looked at the ground and sighed. “Do you think my mother could be with them?”

“I don’t believe so, but my advice to you is to never speak of it aloud. We all know your mother was—” she stated gently, without needing to finish her sentence. “What makes you think she’s alive?”

“Gut instinct is all.”

“That was so many years ago, Sylvie. I wouldn’t get your hopes up. If she were alive, your father would have found her by now.”

“Maybe.” Sylvana sighed.

“Have you told your father or Alaric you have been looking for information on her?”

“No, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t bring it up to Alaric.”

“I won’t. The two of us, even speaking about this matter, could get us both thrown into the bowels of hell.”

“Riordan and his brothers are cruel and unforgiving. I have no intention of mentioning this to anyone,” Sylvana replied.

“Sylvie, I have another bit of salacious gossip for you.”

“Well, that sounds interesting.”

Muriel leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “The other night, I heard two warriors talking, and they mentioned the name Ranan.”

Sylvana’s eyes widened, and she raised her cup to her mouth, trying to hide her reaction.“Shhh. holy hell if anyone heard you.”

“I know, but I had to tell you. How could I keep it to myself?”

“Ranan?” Sylvana mouthed.

Muriel nodded and looked around, feeling nervous having spoken the name, even if in a whisper.

“Speak of this to no one,” Sylvana demanded.

“I’m done speaking of it at all now that I got it off my chest. By the way Lenora’s here, want to go see her?”

“Yes. We need to put this conversation to bed.”

Tobias is also a purebred Acheron and a progeny of Riordan, Nicolai, and Kieran’s

uncle, while Lenora is the progeny of a purebred clan known as the Phelans.

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