Page 126 of The Gilded Wolves

Hypnos walked briskly down the halls of Erebus.

It was freezing outside, and the fires had been banked for the night, which meant that it was bound to be a chilly reception for the matriarch of House Kore. Her fur stole was wound tightly around her body. If she hadn’t bothered to take it off, then that meant it would only be a short visit.

“Why did you come here at this hour?” he asked tiredly.

If she was offended with his lack of decorum, she did not show it.

“The Winter Conclave is nearly upon us.”

“Hilariously, Madame, I do own a calendar.”

She licked her lips, her eyes darting to the door.

“Your friend, Monsieur Montagnet-Alarie… are you quite certain he will not ask for us to administer the two Rings test?”

Hypnos frowned. Who could say for certain what occurred in Séverin’s head. Perhaps he would ask again. He had refused out of grief, but perhaps with enough time, he would think that his own inheritance might be worth it.

“I can’t say for certain.”

The matriarch closed her eyes. “Make sure he doesn’t ask. At least, not until he’s helped the Order find the Fallen House.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

She hesitated, and then began haltingly: “We administered the two Rings test on him when the former patriarch of House Vanth was killed in that fire.”

“I already knew that, and everyone knows those results were falsified—”

“They weren’t.”

Hypnos paused. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that he’s not the blood heir of House Vanth, and he must never know.”