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“Because ya’re a demon, I guess. I’m not clear on the reasons. The ring doesn’t want me talking to people about it. When I try, it interferes. I’m only the ring’s babysitter, though. It won’t be my long-term responsibility. Da’s ring is meant for someone else.”

His chuckle made me grin. “I’m sorry I haven’t been listening well, Aran.”

I waved away his apology. “Ya were doing what ya had to do. I’m jealous enough of the two of ya. Let’s not talk anymore about how wonderful yer relationship with Mulan is.”

“She’s still holding back.”

“And I think ya know why. Don’t pressure her. Loving ya as she does is hard enough.”

Conn laughed. “Then I will take what she gives me and be grateful.”

“Smart man,” I said, rounding the stair wall to see Jack sulking in the cage. “Hello, Jack. Sorry to keep ya waiting.”

“Are you okay? Is Fiona okay?”

I snorted at the irony. “Jack... ya’re the one in the cage. It’s you who isn’t okay.”

“Right,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been struggling a lot at work lately. Everything I do seems so meaningless.”

My sigh filled the basement. “Yes, well, I’m going to fix ya so ya can fix yer job situation. But I need ya to make me two promises before I do it. I’m going to magickly bind ya so ya won’t have a choice.”

Jack waved his hands out to the side. “Whatever you need to do… I trust you.”

I looked at the ceiling and prayed for strength. “Help me, Danu. I don’t want to do this.”

“When we married, you promised to never kill me. I know you would never do that. So whatever else you have to do to me, just do it.”

Conn’s eyes widened when he heard me cursing under my breath. Of all people, he had to know how much I wished I could leave Jack exactly as he was. I closed my eyes to banish my angst and my doubts. It took me several minutes, but neither male in the room interrupted me.

Eventually, I drew in a breath and raised my hands.

I bind ya, Jack Derringer. I bind ya today.

I bind ya to listen and do what I say.

Two sacred promises, I extract from ya now,

Neither will ya question, nor will ya ask how.

Twice ya won’t question what I ask to be done.

And yer freedom won’t be earned by doing just one.

Will ya give me yer oath and a vow to be stay true?

Say yes, and the commands I will give to you...

I waitedand stared at Jack. He stared back at me.

“Well? Answer the spell, Jack.”

“For the next two commands, I will do exactly as you say.”

Magick circled the room, twisting around Jack and me like ropes as it tightened.

“Command one is to register yerself in a DNA database and search for yer birth father. What ya do with the knowledge is up to the two of ya, but ya must make a full effort to find him in order to be released from this vow.”

“Why do you care if I find my birth father, Aran? I don’t care. My adopted family was great.”