Jane’s shoulders heaved, her arms dropping as she looked over her shoulder.
Concern battled for space in Reagan’s chest at the sight of her milky eyes, at the blood trailing down her arm where teeth marks reddened her skin.
“You have to go.” Her voice was barely there, hoarse and strained. “I can see the captives on the first floor and underground. You must get to them now.”
She hadn’t stopped wielding, Reagan realised. She was here, but her eyes… She was also somewhere else, seeing ahead of time.
“We’ll get to them,” Reagan said, slow and patient, his hands rising to cradle her face. “You did incredible, love. You can stop now.”
Jane was shaking, her brows drawn tight with effort. She let out a high-pitched groan, her fists clenching. Reagan forced calm into himself, mustering a steady smile as he ran his thumb over her cheek, trying to coax her into releasing the access. The full breadth of it was overpowering.
“Jane, love, let the eagle go,” he murmured softly. “Let go.”
Quick as hummingbird wings, she dug her nails into his arms and squeezed her eyes shut. The pressure of that cool power receded, and her body sagged forward. Reagan caught her and hauled her against his chest.
“Get her a shirt and boots,” Gwinifer ordered, striding toward the threshold, her gaze dropping to the blood-slick floor. Jane’s blood. “Get her water and an energy fill.”
Reagan carried Jane into the night air, transferring his mana into her body as he murmured the siphoning charm. Outside, the stench of iron and charred flesh faded quickly. Two battle mages from the front line slipped inside the chamber, Heil among them.
“Does she need a healer?” Finn asked as Reagan settled on the grassy ground with Jane in his lap.
It was a relief to feed her his power, especially since his own limbs still rioted with the threat of a flux. His focus narrowed on the bite mark near her shoulder, his hands moving carefully to mend the indents in her skin.
“Darling, is it just the bite, or are you hurt somewhere else?” Reagan asked.
She shook her head. “I need to explain the portal.” Her eyes had returned to normal, though exhaustion weighted every word.
Gwinifer crouched beside them, a black uniform shirt and leather boots with socks already in her hands. “Food and water are coming.”
“You don’t need to explain. Heil’s already inside,” Reagan told Jane. “He’ll adjust the sigils to open the portal here so we can cycle battle mages through. Once they’re inside, someone will adjust it to open into the mansion.”
“Red,” Gwinifer said, “was anyone else coming to your cell, or just that Scion?”
Jane blinked, as if gathering herself.
“Take your time,” Gwin murmured.
Jane took a few deep breaths before shaking her head, eyes falling to her lap, where her hands rested. “No. He came alone.”
Reagan’s teeth ground with barely contained violence. He had to stop siphoning before the full force of his flux harmed her. He felt it building again, tension gathering in his limbs. But colour had already begun returning to her face. She needed food now.
Gwinifer helped pull the shirt over Jane’s head, the mirror of his own fury reflected in his sister’s expression. She was no stranger to the depravity Scion men were known to inflict upon hybrid women. The way her tongue pressed against her upper teeth confirmed she shared his suspicions about Cahir’s intentions.
“I’m glad you gave him what he deserved,” Gwinifer murmured, dipping her chin.
Jane blinked in assent as Gwinifer rose and addressed the squads. “We cycle five at a time. One stays inside to hold the portal as we move in and out.”
Acknowledgements rippled down the line.
Jane’s eyes widened, her gaze drifting past them.
Joy appeared at her side, crouching with a wrapped sandwich already in hand. “It’s tuna,” she said softly. “With the paste you like.”
“Joy,” Jane murmured, her head still resting against Reagan’s shoulder.
“A sandwich?” Gwinifer asked dryly. “Do you have three more? Your sister went full wicked on the bastard.”
“I can bring more,” Joy said readily.
