She’s silent for a moment. “When I pledged myself to the League, Erasmus Kramer’s objectives were to cure himself of his vulnerabilities, and to surround himself only with those he felt were also deserving of immortality. While he was alive, because of the blood oath, his goals were mine; and the one time I met the Corrupter in person, Erasmus was with me.”

“And when Erasmus died?” As we walk, I’m aware of a lightness I’m not sure how to describe. Until the very end, I could never sense the Corrupter … but now I feel his absence.

“At that point, I was more zealous than ever. Honestly, Auggie, you have no idea how charming Azazel can be—how convincing he was. I fell completely under his spell. Our group had spent centuries reconstructing and studying the prophecies, and I was ready to see them fulfilled.” A troubled frown disturbs her features. “I knew Rasputin claimed to have met the Corrupter, too, but I always assumed he was just another egomaniac obsessed with day-walking. This is embarrassing to admit, in retrospect, but I never seriously considered the possibility that Azazel could have encouraged him the same way he’d encouraged me.”

“It makes sense, though,” I say lightly. “He wanted a kingdom, which meant he needed subjects—and soldiers to protect him from Knights and witches and whoever. He probably tried to gather new followers every time he Rose.”

She lets out another laugh, full of self-deprecation. “Did I mention how embarrassed I am that I didn’t figure that out sooner? Clearly he made promises to Rasputin—and I don’t care what their outfit says, I’m starting to think there’s not a chance in hell that Azazel never revealed himself to a vampire with Syndicate lineage at some point, either.” Light flickers in her eyes, a quick flash of smoldering anger. “The closer we got to the Ascension, the more I started to feel like I’d been played—like we’d all been played.”

“Wow, you mean it turns out that a guy so notorious for spreading bullshit that his nickname is literally the Corrupter might have been sorta dishonest with you?” I’m taking a lot on faith that she doesn’t actually plan to kill me. “Who would’ve thought?”

To my relief, she just laughs again. “I still don’t know what Azazel intended—and as long as we’re being honest, Auggie? He was so convincing that if I met him again I bet he would explain all of this away and have me right back on his side, like that.” Viviane snaps her fingers. “When I saw the witches working that ritual, when I understood what it could mean … it might have been the first time I realized that the League doesn’t have to follow Erasmus’s vision anymore. I can set my own path, and maybe it’s time I did.”