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I babble a frantic recounting of our trip home. I barely know Ice, and Bram doesn’t trust him, but he and Marrok are losing the battle to contain Lucan, who seems super-humanly strong. A face hits the window. Bram. He pulls away a moment before Lucan’s fist smashes through the glass.
Blood runs down the clear pane. Ice tears off the Hummer’s door. I gasp as Bram wrestles to pin Lucan to the back seat. Marrok sits behind the feral wizard, holding down his arms. But Lucan escapes, letting loose a spine-chilling war cry, and punches Bram in the gut.
“My female!”
With a curse, Ice peels Bram off Lucan, despite the bloodied wizard’s protests. Then he cold-cocks the crazy man with a mean right hook. Lucan’s head snaps back.
Finally, he goes limp.
Ice looks up at Marrok with a grim smile. “Good thing I learn fast.”
Together, Ice and Marrok lift Lucan out of the Hummer. As Ice trudges past, hauling the unconscious wizard, Bram claps a hand around his arm.
Ice glares back with murder in his eyes. “Don’t fucking touch me.”
Bram releases him. “Just wanted to say…thank you.”
“Don’t. If only you were at risk, I would let Lucan tear you limb from limb while I made popcorn for the show. But Marrok and Olivia are too important to our cause to let your fucking friend dismember them.”
Ice nudges Marrok along as they carry their burden into the house. Silence falls.
Regret tightens Bram’s face.
“What’s that about?” I ask.
He dabs blood from his mouth, then winces. “Ancient history.”
Maybe, but time isn’t healing the wound that clearly isn’t open for discussion.
Beside me, Bram shoves a hand into his pocket, tosses a white rock into the air, then mutters, “Aunt Millie.”
A few moments later, a sprightly little woman with a hundred pounds of pale hair in a bun appears in the driveway and hurries with spry steps in our direction.
“Again, boy?” She stands on her tiptoes to receive the very dutiful kiss Bram plants on her cheek. Then she turns to me. “Oh, hello, dear. I see you’re recovered. Lovely.”
As Millie walks into the house, I turn to Bram. “She came when I was ill?”
He nods. “She told Marrok why you were unwell and gave him the choice of breaking your bond or keeping it and…serving you as you need. I should—” He gestures toward the manor house rising with stately glory in the moonlight.
“Of course. See to Lucan.”
Mind awhirl, I fall in behind him.
Marrok chose to stay with me, rather than break our bond. I wish it was because he feels something for me. But I’m afraid I’m kidding myself.
Inside, we follow the screams. Lucan has come around again. His wailing echoes through the house. It’s like nails on a chalkboard.
By the time Bram and I find the group, they’ve commandeered one of the guest rooms. Someone has located or conjured up a set of restraints that look right out of a BDSM club. Ice and Marrok struggle to shove Lucan’s arms into the cuffs. Duke grips one of his ankles. Lucan’s free leg flails. Bram dodges a lashing kick, grabs the wizard’s ankle, and forces it to the bed.
Lucan snarls, a sound threatening murder. Finally, after a lot of grunting and effort, they restrain the rabid wizard.
Bram drags a hand down his tired face. “Aunt Millie…”
The little woman approaches the bed, settling a hand to Lucan’s damp brow. He howls, but she ignores him and makes quick work of the buttons down the front of his shirt. Her little hands roam his chest with eyes closed. She breathes in and out.
“His mate is not dead. Distantly, I feel her alive in the bond.”
“Injured?” Bram asks, puzzled.
