Heartless Hunter/Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli
- alwayswandering
- Feb 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 27
Here is a summary with spoilers of Heartless Hunter/Crimson Moth
Two years ago, brothers Gideon and Alexander (Alex) Sharpe toppled the Roseblood Sister Queens, dismantling the Reign of Witches and handing control to the New Republic. Their victory birthed the Red Peace, a regime that mandated the execution of all witches to ensure public safety. Among the victims was Rune Winters’ grandmother, Nan, whom Rune was forced to betray to avoid being branded a witch sympathizer.
After the rebellion, Rune’s first period revealed her as a witch. To protect the girl he secretly loves, Alex chose to shield Rune rather than turn her in. Wracked with guilt over Nan’s death, Rune adopted a vigilante identity—the Crimson Moth—dedicated to saving witches from execution. Alongside Alex and their daring friend Verity de Wilde, Rune orchestrates rescues while maintaining her public image as a frivolous socialite.
Rune’s latest mission is to save Seraphine Oakes, a powerful witch and Nan’s closest friend, who has been captured by the Blood Guard. At an opera, Rune learns that Gideon, now a notorious witch hunter, was the one who brought Seraphine in. She invites him to an after-party, intending to drug him with a truth spell to extract information about Seraphine’s location, but he declines.
Meanwhile, Gideon learns from his informant, Harrow, that Rune’s ship has been linked to smuggling witches off the mainland. Suspicious that Rune may be the Crimson Moth, Harrow suggests Gideon court her to search for casting scars—silver marks that witches develop when using blood for spells.
Gideon attends Rune’s after-party and initiates the pretense of courtship, but Rune recognizes his ulterior motive. However, she sees the potential advantage of their relationship for her alter ego. When Rune receives a telegram inviting her to speak at the Luminaries Dinner, Gideon notices her unease, but she brushes it off. Their growing closeness leads to a moment of genuine intimacy, unsettling both.
The next day, Gideon invites Rune to his home under the guise of designing a dress for the dinner. During the fitting, he searches for casting scars but finds none—unaware that Rune exclusively uses her menstrual blood to conceal her identity. While there, Gideon shares the story of his time as a tailor for Cressida Roseblood, a witch he loved who ultimately tortured him and killed his family. He inadvertently reveals Seraphine’s location: Seldom Harbor.
Rune attempts to rescue Seraphine but walks into a trap. In the chaos, she escapes and attends a ball at the Creeds’ estate, where she and Alex acquire prison maps to aid Seraphine’s escape. Gideon continues to suspect Rune but cannot find definitive proof.
As Rune and Gideon grow closer, he reveals the depths of Cressida’s cruelty and his motivations for dismantling the Reign of Witches. Despite their feelings, they remain dedicated to opposing sides. Rune’s plans culminate at the Luminaries Dinner, where Seraphine is presented for execution. Chaos erupts when a spell-fire attack disrupts the event. Gideon saves Rune, only to discover the spell signature belongs to Cressida, thought to be dead.
Rune, Alex, and Verity finalize their plans to save Seraphine. Alex steals Gideon’s prison access coin during a card game, and Verity secures Blood Guard uniforms. Meanwhile, Gideon learns Cressida is alive and warns Alex, who confesses to Rune that he once spared her life.
A deadly magical trap kills dozens of Blood Guards, leading Rune to believe Gideon has died. She rushes to his home in tears, and they share a night of passion. However, the next morning, Harrow arrives, and Gideon feigns indifference toward Rune. Overhearing, Rune is heartbroken and accepts Alex’s proposal to leave for the peaceful city of Caelis after rescuing Seraphine.
On the day of the rescue, Gideon discovers Rune’s identity as the Crimson Moth. Consumed with rage and betrayal, he arrests her and brings her to the square for execution alongside Seraphine. Alex intervenes, confessing his role as a witch sympathizer, and is arrested for treason.
Before the execution, an army of witches storms the square. Verity reveals herself to be Cressida in disguise. She frees Rune and Seraphine, demanding Gideon join her. When he refuses, Cressida shoots him. Alex sacrifices himself to save Gideon’s life.
In the ensuing chaos, Rune casts a powerful earthquake spell, allowing the witches to flee. Before departing, Gideon warns Rune that he will never stop hunting her. Rune, Seraphine, and the other witches board a ship to Caelis. With nowhere else to go, Rune reluctantly follows Cressida, even as she questions her alliance with the ruthless witch.
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