Shadows streamed from Jelisette’s hands as she turned the deadbolt. It fell into place with a terrifyingthunk, like an executioner’s axe hitting the chopping block.
“You broke the rules, daughter of my blood.”
CHAPTER 8
Predators and Prey
Curses, each viler than the last, ran through Ryker’s mind, frost crept down his spine, and his magic swirled in warning.
Zanri had mentioned the rules during his interrogation, too. Ryker wasn’t entirely sure what they were, but he knew they were bad. Nothing that came out of Jelisette’s vile mouth could be good.
A hitched breath that Ryker was intimately familiar with came through his custom headphones. His cock didn’t get the message that this was a serious moment because it decided now was the time to come to life. He shoved those thoughts aside.
Forcing himself to stay on task, Ryker pressed his palm flat on his ear, as if that would help him hear better. If he closed his eyes, he could pretend they were still in the Choosing. Pretend their wedding night hadn’t yet taken place. Pretend their love was still uncomplicated and unbroken and perfect.
Brynleigh whispered, “I know. I’m sorry.”
A vicious, death-kissed snarl ripped through the air.
Instinct had Ryker drawing translucent orbs of water into his palms and readying to fight, even as he realized the snarl came through the headphones.
Then, a pained grunt filtered through the earpiece.
Ryker dissolved his magic, his own gut cramping as if he’d been punched.
It went against his natural predisposition to stay in the vehicle. Everything within him screamed to get up, to do something, tohelp.
He was a protector, through and through.
And Brynleigh needed him.
His heart broke all over again, and his anger was further away than it had been in weeks as he listened to the sounds coming from the safe house.
He flinched when skin slammed against skin.
He drew his own blood, his nails digging into his palms, when there came a muffled cry.
And when a heinous laugh filled his ears, the car handle bent in half from the force of his grip.
Ryker was intimately familiar with the sounds of a fair fight, and this wasn’t one. Brynleigh wasn’t defending herself against her Maker. She was just taking it.
Because of him.
He froze as a muffled cry filled his ears. This was his fault. He put Brynleigh up to this. He made this deal.
If she died, he would never forgive himself.
Suddenly, silence fell. Somehow, it was worse than the sounds of pain from moments before.
Too quick, too quiet.
Was it over? Had he waited too long?
Brynleigh’s words resurfaced in his mind.
She’ll kill me.
What in the name of all the gods had he done? Horror shoved all his earlier anger aside, and his heart pounded as he debated whether he should risk being seen.