Georgie kicked and screamed in his arms as Samael carried him closer to the portal.
“Hewillwatch this!” Veni commanded.
“Of course, milord,” Samael replied. “I’m just trying to keep the little monster under control.”
He stopped near the portal and held the struggling child against his chest. Val’s sobs intensified as her son screamed for his mother.
I knew saying anything would only make the duke happier and wouldn’t stop this, but maybe, if I gave him a little of what he wanted, he’d relent. It wasmehe sought to break, not them.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Ryker
“Don’t do this,”I said. The words were bitter on my tongue, and I hated uttering them, but if I could stop the boy from witnessing this, I would. “Not in front of the child.”
“Why do you care about the child?” Veni asked.
“I don’t. I have no idea who he is, but no one should have to witness the death of their mother.”
When the duke’s lips twitched toward a smile, I knew we were both thinking ofmymother. “It will toughen him up. I should have done the same to you. You should have seen that bitch die; I can assure you, she didn’t do so with dignity.”
My nostrils flared as blood welled in my palm. I’d sworn not to show any emotion, but I could tell by the way his smile became more genuine again that I’d failed in doing so.
“Holy shit,” Callan muttered.
I didn’t look at the minstrel as my attention remained focused on the monster before me. Iloathedthat any part of him existed inside me, but it was impossible to deny we shared the same blood; we looked too much alike for that.
Once he was dead, we’d no longer share the same blood, and I’d drain every last ounce of his to ensure it.
I didn’t respond to him; there was nothing left to say. He’d kill Val in front of Georgie because he enjoyed it and because he knew I didn’t.
When Veni snapped his fingers, one of the guards hurried forward. The man’s face was resolute, but something in his eyes told me he loathed doing this; however, if he hesitated, the duke would kill him too.
I kept my attention on the boy as I willed him to look away, but the child’s wild eyes remained riveted on his mother.
“Not in front of my son,” Val begged.
I wanted to tell her it was pointless and she was only feeding into Veni’s enjoyment, but I kept my mouth closed. When the guard stopped beside Val, the boy screamed louder as she shook with her sobs.
Samael said something to the boy who kicked and clawed at him with increased frenzy. I didn’t see the deadly arc of the sword as it whistled through the air, but I heard it hit as the boy’s screams ramped up and warm blood sprayed my face. I didn’t close my eyes or turn away from that blood.
Despite Val’s betrayal, I deserved to be stained by her blood. I’d failed her and so many others in this realm; I should have stopped this monster before he ever gained this much control and before it ever came to this.
Her blood and her son’s screams would forever stain my soul and haunt my nightmares. I didn’t look at him, but I sensed Veni’s gaze boring into me as Samael whispered something else to the boy; Georgie’s eyes closed.
I gave Val credit, as in the end, she didn’t scream. She died in silence and probably with the hope that it would somehow be less traumatic for her son to do so.
When the sword fell again, her head hit the ground and rolled to stop in front of me. Georgie had opened his eyes again and was screaming with renewed vigor.
I glanced briefly at Val’s parted mouth and open eyes before shifting my attention back to the duke. When he smiled at me, I returned it.
Recently, my anger had been rising toward a perilous precipice. Now, it turned into a white, burning hot ball of fury within me.
That rage was useless while I was chained. I could stay defiant, but I was at his mercy, and his full attention was now onme.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Ellery
