Part 26 (2/2)
”So if you want to win this war, why give them the very thing they need to flourish?”
”She has a point,” Duke said, dragging a bedraggled figure behind him.
The tall figure had long hair and a T-s.h.i.+rt that said Do Not Disturb. I'm Disturbed Enough Already. His head popped back when Duke yanked on his hair. Zain!
Well, clearly the T-s.h.i.+rt was appropriate.
”We'll talk about this later,” Bram barked.
At least it isn't a no. Close, but Sydney hoped he'd come around.
”Well, if it isn't Privileged's poster boy,” Zain sneered at Bram.
”It's better than raping women and killing children.”
”Can I kill him?” Tynan asked.
”No. We need him at the moment.” Then Bram turned to Zain, stepping closer. ”You're going to perform the helbresele spell.”
That healing spell Sabelle had spoken of earlier?
If Zain hadn't had his hands tied behind his back, he would have a.s.suredly crossed his arms over his chest in defiance. ”If I expended the energy necessary to injure someone, why would I bother to bestow a healing spell on them?”
The sod's flippant tone made Sydney furious.
”Because I said so,” Bram snarled. ”And if you don't . . .” The wizard glanced toward the door, then smiled. ”Do you remember Auropha MacKinnett?”
Nodding, Zain added, ”I abducted her straight from her bed. The Privileged b.i.t.c.h gave Mathias enough power with her lovely screams to last days. But I can't heal her now. Very dead. So sorry.”
”b.a.s.t.a.r.d!” Tynan charged toward Zain.
Bram held up a hand. It wasn't the gesture that stopped him as much as some invisible restraint. O'Shea snarled and scowled, but Bram didn't budge. Zain, however, stared warily at the grieving man, who was more muscular and more enraged. Tynan's gray eyes said he'd rip the man limb from limb, given half the chance.
”If you don't cooperate,” Bram began. ”I'll be happy to tie you down and let Auropha's mate-to-be avenge her in any way he pleases. Don't think anyone will mourn you, you sodding little s.h.i.+t.”
”How does threatening murder make you any better than Mathias?” Bram c.o.c.ked his head. ”I view your extermination as preventive maintenance. If you choose not to cooperate, then I'll make certain you can't harm anyone else. We all know you attack those who can't fight back, mostly women. If you want to fight a man your size or better, at least it's fair. But a woman?
Is that what it takes for you to feel manly?”
”p.i.s.s off.” Zain flushed an angry red.
Tynan charged toward Zain again, barely held in check by a force Sydney couldn't see.
Over his shoulder, Zain stared at Tynan, who itched for the opportunity to inflict damage.
”Pick,” Bram demanded. ”Tynan O'Shea or the helbresele spell?”
”And that's a healing spell?” she asked. ”For Aquarius?”
”Yes,” Duke answered softly. ”Since he inflicted the damage, only he can repair it.”
”And it will cost him a great deal of his energy,” Bram explained with a smile. ”Nearly everything he has.” Aquarius! The man could heal her friend? Sydney wanted badly to plead with Zain to help. But she felt certain that her pleas would give him pleasure, especially when he denied them. She bit her lip and stayed mute.
”So,” Bram said. ”What's it going to be? Healing and a new beginning? Or certain death? Choose wisely and choose now.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
SENSING THAT HE WAS both outnumbered and in danger, Zain agreed to heal Aquarius. Caden still wasn't certain how such a thing worked. Everyday magic he'd been unable to avoid as a child, but this more complicated life-and-death magic was all new to him.
As they made their way upstairs, Bram and Duke prodded Zain. The new bloke, Tynan, growled threats behind him. Caden looked over at Sydney. She was pale but her dark eyes reflected her determination and optimism. He knew exactly how she felt, hoping the magical cure would work. For her sake, he prayed she got the happy ending for her friend that he hadn't gotten for Westin and still needed for Lucan.
As they awaited Aquarius's fate, Caden reached across the s.p.a.ce between them and took her hand.
They'd had their differences, but at this moment they didn't matter.
Instantly, she whipped her gaze to him. Naked pain and uncertainty showed behind her calm facade, nearly undoing him. He wanted to hold her, bring her close, and a.s.sure her all would be well. But he wasn't certain of that at all.
Instead, he murmured, ”Squeeze my hand if you need me.” With a shaky nod, she turned and followed the procession up the stairs to the bedroom in which Aquarius rested. Inside the cool, shadowed room, everyone fanned out around the bed where the little woman lay, still bloated and red, lips cracked. Sabelle had removed her clothes and dressed her in a feather-light cotton gown. Aquarius's eyes remained closed, her breathing slightly labored.
Bram drew his wand and held it at Zain. ”Go on.”
Zain growled at them both, then caught Sydney's gaze. Tears streamed down her face, and she clutched Caden's hand. His heart lifted. She'd come to him for support, trusted him to care for her. Caressing the soft crown of her fiery hair, he squeezed her hand in return.
Behind her, Sabelle patted her shoulder. Standing beside Marrok on the opposite side of the bed, Olivia gave her a rea.s.suring smile.
Tynan shoved Zain closer to Aquarius.
”How does this work?” she whispered to Caden.
”I've never heard of it. But Bram made it sound common enough, so . . .” Sydney exhaled, clearly trying to calm herself. Caden wanted to rea.s.sure her that if Zain did anything more to hurt Aquarius, Bram would let Tynan at him. But he didn't want to say it out loud and give the Denzell b.a.s.t.a.r.d any ideas.
Zain finally stepped forward, leaning over the bed, and reached for Aquarius.
With a ruthless grip on his arm, Bram stayed the other wizard.
”I have to hold her against me,” Zain explained.
Bram released Zain slowly. ”One wrong move, and I swear, I'll have no compunction about making certain your family needs tweezers to pick up your remains.” Sneering, Zain turned back to Aquarius. He sat on the bed beside her and pulled her awkwardly into his lap, bringing her small b.r.e.a.s.t.s against his chest. Her hair drifted down to his thighs. Her arms hung limply from her shoulders. Zain took in a deep breath and closed his eyes.
His arms tightened around her, then began to shake. He drew in a sharp breath, his eyes popping wide open as if stunned. Caden could see whites all around the dark irises.
Tighter and tighter, Sydney squeezed his hand. The air thickened with tension and fear. He could smell the worry pouring off Sydney and wished he could do more.
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