“I know where he’s taken Reid.”
“Where?”
“Home.”
Going back into the living room, he found Lark and Pike with Calliope. They’d gotten her an ice pack and some water.
“Pike, will you stay with her? Lark, Atlas, I need you to come with me, please.”
“Let’s do it.” Lark hopped up from where he’d been kneeling in front of Calliope.
Kerak went to her, offering his hand. “I’ve called your brother. He’s on his way. Thank you for trying to defend him.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t stop Selin.”
He shook his head. “There are few who can.”
He looked at the others. “Come.”
Walking back into the bedroom, he went into the closet and through the door that led to the circular hub room at the Seer’s Guild. Fred was standing beside the fire pit, waiting for them.
“To Deadwood?” he asked Kerak.
“Yes.” Kerak turned to a plain wooden door midway around the room. It was the same dark stain and simple design of all the doors in his and Reid’s house in South Dakota, sitting right on the claim he’d made all those years ago. The vista they both loved so much greeted them every time they walked out their front door.
Behind him, Fred said to the others, “Don’t let him destroy anything.”
The rage building in Kerak didn’t leave room for levity. He placed his hand on the knob and looked back at Atlas and Lark behind him. “You are to get Reid and get him to safety. Only then do you switch to damage control.”
“Understood.”
He twisted the knob and pushed the door open. Eucalyptus and lemongrass still floated in the air from the diffuser Reid always had running in the living room. They hadn’t been there in weeks, but it still smelled like home. More than that, he could hearReid’s heartbeat—faster than normal—coming from down the hall.
The door from the hub opened into his study in this house. Everything looked exactly as he’d left it. He moved farther into the room, giving Lark and Atlas space to follow behind him. They shared a glance and a nod before Kerak headed to the master bedroom.
When he reached the bedroom door, he found Reid awake and sitting up against the headboard of the bed. Relief swamped him. Reid was unhurt, and the spell had truly been broken. He’d known it, felt it, but seeing Reid with his own eyes unwound the final knots in his stomach.
“Kerak,” Reid breathed, eyes shiny.
“Hi, sweetheart. Are you okay?” He moved to the bed and reached out a hand to Reid, who took it immediately. He could see Selin out of the corner of his eye, sitting in the chair by the window, but he ignored him.
“I’m okay,” Reid said.
He was pale still, but Kerak was glad to see some of the color had returned to his face. Kerak pressed a kiss to the back of Reid’s hand and turned to face his brother.
“Selin. You’ve been busy.”
“Well, after one’s dear little brother dumps one back in hell, one does have to pick up some hobbies.” He uncrossed his legs and stood. Physically, he hadn’t aged, looking just as he had all those years ago, but his eyes told a different story. The bright turquoise glow seemed dimmed. Harder. Harsher.
“What do you expect to gain from all this? You know it won’t be banishment that awaits you this time.”
With a sigh, Selin dropped his head back. “And they say I’m the dramatic one.” He met Kerak’s gaze again. “You know, I could have been happy just killing your little pet, but I really am glad you opened the door. You might best me, brother, but I want to see the look in your eyes when the last breath leaves his body.”
Without warning, Selin lunged, a sword materializing in his hand. Kerak leapt onto the bed, standing over Reid. He shifted his fingers to talons and deflected the blade with a metallic clang.
“Atlas!” Kerak shouted.
Selin looked confused for a second, but it turned to fury in a heartbeat.
