The Masterson estatefelt surreal after the chaos of the rescue. The lights were too bright. The voices too loud. Too many people were asking questions and wanting answers while the only thing Brandon wanted to do was find a quiet, dark room where he could collapse with Muriel in his arms.
She’d come for him. Merged her magic, wholly and completely, with his. Bonus: She hadn't let go of his hand once, even driving one-handed to maintain the connection.
He wasn’t complaining.
“Sit,” Armand commanded, gesturing to a chair in his study. The ancient vampire's expression was clinical as he examined the suppressant burns on Brandon's wrists, but his touch was surprisingly gentle. “The burnsare already healing now that your magic is flowing properly.”
“Told you,” Brandon muttered. Had Muriel not insisted on having Armand look at him, they’d already be back at his place.
“Yes, well, you also told me you were 'fine' after channeling natural magic for hours while injured and suppressed too, so forgive me for not taking your word for it,” Muriel said. There was an edge to her voice that hadn’t been there before.
Armand straightened, his amused gaze moving to Muriel. “Keep an eye on him. If the burns worsen or he develops a fever?—”
“I'll bring him right back,” Muriel promised.
The ease with which she said it—the casual certainty that she'd be there to notice if something was wrong—made Brandon's chest swell.
Jason appeared in the doorway, looking for all intents and purposes like he’d just stepped out of a photo shoot instead of a magical battle with trained operatives. “The prisoners are secured. Zarek's team has them in the lower levels.”
“All of them?” Brandon asked.
“All of them. Including your friend Medraut.” Jason's eyes said he knew exactly who Medraut was. “Vlane wants to have a conversation with them about Consilium operations. Armand has questions about their artifact knowledge. And Karthik...” He lifted his shouldersin an elegant shrug. “Well. Demon Lords gonna demon.”
Brandon smirked. “Did you really just say ‘demon lords gonna demon?’ “
Jason grinned. “He says we owe him for giving Marcella the night off to help.”
Despite everything, Brandon felt a flicker of dark satisfaction. The Collectors had spent centuries hunting supernatural beings, draining witches, and serving the Consilium's twisted agenda. A little time in Karthik's not-so-tender care seemed like poetic justice. The demon lord coulddemonvery well.
“They'll be kept alive,” Vlane said, entering behind Jason. The Master vampire's ebony eyes were cold. “They have information we need. But alive doesn't mean comfortable.”
Brandon smiled, remembering that Medraut had said something similar to him about death being preferable in some cases. He felt not even the slightest hint of sympathy for the crazy bastard.
Muriel's hand tightened on Brandon's. Her satisfaction flowed through him, and underneath it, her soul-deep protectiveness. These people had hurt him. Had tried to use him as bait. She didn't have an ounce of sympathy for them either.
“Go home,” Armand said, not unkindly. “Both of you. Get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Or the day after,” Muriel said.
“Or the day after,” Armand agreed with a smile and twinkling eyes.
Muriel stood, tugging him up with her. “Come on. Let's go home.”
The words hit him like a punch to the solar plexus. She'd saidhome. Not The Glan Tann. Not your place.Home.
Like it was hers too.
Jason drove them in silence, though Brandon caught him casting frequent glances at them in the rearview mirror. Muriel's hand stayed laced with his the entire ride, her thumb tracing absent patterns on his skin that made it hard to think about anything but her touch.
Was that… tenderness?
He had to be imagining it. The adrenaline, the exhaustion, and the bond were amplifying everything until he couldn't tell what was real and what was just wishful thinking.
The Glas Tann looked exactly as he'd left it. Plants were thriving in the windows, books were stacked on every surface, protective wards vibrated with quiet welcome.
This was his sanctuary. His home. And hopefully, hers too.
“Thank you,” he said to Jason as they climbed out. “For everything.”