Rhen swore.
A second scream reached them, followed by doors opening and hurried footsteps deeper inside the compound.
Dax moved toward the exit.
“I will go to her.”
“Keep her away from this room,” Rhen said. “Do not give her my blood unless the tether becomes life-threatening.”
Dax nodded and disappeared into the corridor.
Cole remained with Rhen.
“You cannot force a heretic transition into obedience.”
“Then tell me something useful.”
“She needs a point of continuity while the magic tears apart everything she recognizes.”
“You believe my voice will accomplish that?”
“I believe your blood is already forcing her body to listen to you.”
Rhen looked down at the woman thrashing upon his bed.
He pulled the sheet around her, covering and containing her as securely as he could without restricting her breathing. The action held no softness; he treated her like unstable power he had chosen to grasp with his bare hands.
He lowered himself beside her ear.
“Listen to me. You are inside my home, and my blood is inside your veins.”
Her eyes flickered without focusing.
“You will not die here, destroy this room, or harm anyone under this roof.”
A broken sound escaped her, carrying the edges of both laughter and pain.
The other voice moved through her again.
“Sule promised.”
Rhen became still.
“You will explain every word of that when you are conscious enough to remember your own lies.”
He placed one hand against her sternum, providing steady pressure without restraining her.
“I am here. Hold on.”
The convulsions hesitated.
For a single breath, the pressure inside the room eased and the flames steadied.
Cole exhaled.
“Keep speaking.”
The door opened before Rhen could answer.
