Heartless Hunter/Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli

Here is a summary with spoilers of Heartless Hunter/Crimson Moth

Two years after the Roseblood Sister Queens were overthrown, the New Republic rules under the Red Peace, a regime built on the execution of witches. Brothers Gideon Sharpe and Alexander Sharpe helped dismantle the Reign of Witches, but the victory created a city ruled by fear, suspicion, and public purgings. The Blood Guard hunts witches relentlessly, and Gideon has become its most feared commander. Ruthless and obsessive, he dedicates himself to destroying every remaining witch, especially the mysterious vigilante known as the Crimson Moth. Among the witches executed during the purges was Nan Winters, grandmother of Rune Winters. Rune was forced to betray her grandmother to avoid being branded a witch sympathizer, a decision that continues to haunt her.

Soon after the rebellion, Rune discovers she is a witch herself when her first period awakens her magic. To survive, she hides her identity by carefully avoiding visible casting scars, using menstrual blood for spells so the marks cannot be detected. Publicly, Rune maintains the image of a frivolous socialite who hates witches, but secretly she lives a double life as the Crimson Moth, rescuing witches from execution and smuggling them out of the New Republic. Alex, who secretly loves Rune, protects her identity rather than exposing her. Alongside her closest friend, Verity de Wilde, Rune continues risking her life to save hunted witches while carrying guilt over Nan’s death.

Rune’s latest mission centers on finding Seraphine Oakes, Nan’s closest friend and a powerful witch who may hold answers about Rune’s past. Disguised by a Mirage spell that requires fresh blood, Rune searches for Seraphine while trying to avoid the Blood Guard. At the same time, Gideon receives reports from his informant Harrow linking Rune’s ship to witch smuggling operations. Already suspicious that Rune may be the Crimson Moth, Gideon decides to court her as part of an investigation. He believes getting close to her will allow him to search for casting scars and uncover her secrets.

Their relationship quickly becomes a dangerous game of deception. Rune wants information about the Blood Guard and Seraphine’s imprisonment, while Gideon wants proof that Rune is a witch. At an opera and several after-parties, Rune attempts to manipulate Gideon with truth spells and flirtation, but he remains cautious. Gideon invites Rune to his home under the excuse of designing her dress for the prestigious Luminaries Dinner. During the fitting, he secretly searches her body for casting scars but finds none. While there, Gideon reveals part of his past. Before the fall of the witch queens, he worked as a tailor for Cressida Roseblood, a witch he loved who tortured him and murdered his family. His hatred of witches is deeply personal, shaped by trauma, revenge, and guilt.

During their conversations, Gideon accidentally reveals that Seraphine is being held at Seldom Harbor. Rune immediately attempts a rescue, but Gideon has planted false information to trap the Crimson Moth. Rune barely escapes capture and realizes how dangerous Gideon truly is. Despite this, their growing closeness becomes increasingly genuine. Gideon remains suspicious of Rune, but he is drawn to her intelligence and resilience. Rune, meanwhile, begins to see cracks in Gideon’s brutal exterior. Their attraction deepens even as they remain enemies on opposite sides of the war between witches and the Republic.

Rune, Alex, and Verity continue planning Seraphine’s rescue while navigating elite society events, including masked balls and the Luminaries Dinner. Alex steals prison access maps and coins to aid the mission, while Verity secures Blood Guard uniforms. Gideon continues investigating Rune, but he still lacks concrete evidence. During this time, Rune learns more about Gideon’s motivations and the cruelty he suffered under Cressida’s rule. Their relationship becomes emotionally complicated, especially as both begin questioning their assumptions about each other.

The Luminaries Dinner becomes a turning point. Seraphine is presented publicly before her planned execution, but chaos erupts when spell-fire attacks the gathering. Gideon saves Rune during the attack and recognizes the magic signature as Cressida’s, proving the witch queen is still alive. Soon afterward, a magical trap kills dozens of Blood Guards, and Rune briefly believes Gideon has died. Overcome with grief, she rushes to his home, where they spend the night together. The next morning, however, Harrow arrives, and Gideon pretends indifference toward Rune to protect himself. Rune overhears the conversation and believes Gideon never cared about her. Heartbroken, she agrees to leave for the peaceful city of Caelis with Alex after rescuing Seraphine.

As the rescue operation begins, Gideon finally uncovers the truth. Rune is the Crimson Moth. Furious over the betrayal and devastated by his feelings for her, Gideon arrests Rune and brings her to the execution square alongside Seraphine. Alex intervenes and confesses that he has been aiding witches for years. He is arrested for treason by his own brother. Before the executions can proceed, an army of witches attacks the square. During the battle, Verity reveals her true identity. She has secretly been Cressida Roseblood all along, manipulating events from the shadows and using Rune’s efforts to rebuild witch power.

Cressida frees Rune and Seraphine and demands Gideon join her cause. When he refuses, she shoots him. Alex sacrifices himself to save Gideon’s life, dying in the process. His death devastates both Rune and Gideon. As the city erupts into violence between witches and the Blood Guard, Rune unleashes powerful magic and casts an earthquake spell that allows the witches to escape. The New Republic collapses into chaos as magic tears through the streets.

In the aftermath, Gideon is left shattered by Alex’s death and conflicted over Rune. Despite loving her, he warns that he will never stop hunting her. Rune boards a ship alongside Seraphine, the surviving witches, and Cressida, sailing toward Caelis because she has nowhere else to go. Though free from immediate execution, Rune realizes she has become trapped in another dangerous alliance, this time with the ruthless witch queen who manipulated her from the beginning. Leaving the ruined city behind, Rune sets sail toward an uncertain future, carrying grief for Alex, unresolved feelings for Gideon, and growing doubts about the war between witches and the Republic.