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"She was trying to stop you. This man you have become."

"She was trying to save creatures that didn't deserve saving." His eyes went cold. "And she left me with a gift I never asked for. A power I never wanted." He laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. "Do you know what it's like, August? To carry something inside you that hungers? That whispers? That wants?"

"Yes," I said quietly. "You made certain I did."

His smile flickered. Something passed behind his eyes, something that might have been shame in a man capable of feeling it.

"I made you strong," he said. "I made you into something that could survive this world, survive what grew inside of you."

"You made me into a weapon." My voice cracked. "You broke me. Piece by piece. Year by year. Until there was nothing left but the thing you wanted me to be."

"And look at you now." He spread his hands. "Standing in your mother's room. Ready to face me. Strong enough to face me." He stepped closer. "You're welcome."

My eyes blazed gold.

"I am not here to thank you," I said. "I am here to end you."

My father laughed, genuine this time, delighted.

"There he is. There's my son. Now then," he said pleasantly. "Shall we discuss your future, August?"

I kept my eyes on the knife. On Lily's throat. On Constance's white-knuckled grip, the blade still pressed to skin, the thin red line already drawn and threatening to deepen.

"Let her go."

"Why would I do that?" His smile widened. "Without her, you'd simply try to kill me. With her . . ." He gestured at Constance's blade. "You'll listen."

Through the bond, Lily's thoughts came clear despite her fear. I can break free.

She will kill you.

Trust me, August.

Not yet. He'll expect it. You'll know when.

"Everything I did," my father continued, beginning to pace, "the training, the discipline, even the pendant, all of it was to make you strong enough to survive in a world filled with these women and their dangerous magic." His gaze moved to Lily with something like pity. "But you chose weakness instead. You chose her."

"She's not weakness," I said quietly. "She's the only reason I'm still standing."

"Is she?" He stopped pacing. "Love is a leash, August. I learned that when your mother betrayed everything we built together. When she destroyed the man I was and created this." He gestured at himself. "The Unraveling she poured into my soul."

"She didn't betray you," Lily said. Her voice was steady despite the knife. "She was trying to save her people from you."

My father's expression hardened. "Constance. I believe Miss Whitmore needs a reminder of her place."

Constance's arm tightened. The blade pressed harder. "With pleasure."

"Kill her," my father said softly. "Slowly."

The blade began to move.

Now, Lily sent.

She drove her elbow back into Constance's ribs, hard, the move Garrick had drilled into her. Constance gasped, grip loosening. Lily grabbed the knife hand and twisted with everything she had.

The blade pulled away from her throat. Not far. But far enough.

I severed.