The Serpent's Curse

Brides disappear, leaving snakes. Aidan Drake meets Matriarch; she deduces his grandfather, Tailor Drake, is Serpent Spirit-possessed. Aidan believes his grandfather responsible. 'Bride Kidnapping' custom. Grandfather despises this custom, helps brides escape, created Serpent Lord rumor. Matriarch uses Aidan to expose grandfather. Matriarch threatens Aidan to force grandfather to reveal brides. Escaped brides return, rescue, capture villains, dismantle custom.