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“Where’s Davina?” His voice cut through Cailin’s cries, rough and raw with dread.

Lilias met his gaze, eyes wild with panic. “She’s still inside!Ian’s with her!”

Broderick’s chest turned to stone. “Ian?” The name landed like a hammer blow. “Her dead husband?”

“He’s not dead,” Myrna rasped, rocking Cailin to soothe the babe’s distress. “He’s been alive all along, recovering. He…he came back, and Davina… She held him off, so we could get the wee one away.”

A low growl rumbled from deep in Broderick’s chest, his hands balling into fists. Ian was a mortal man—he could be dealt with. But beneath the certainty, a darker fear gnawed at him.What of Angus?

Jaw tight, Broderick’s gaze hardened to steel. “Stay here. All of you. I’ll end this.”

As he dashed up the path toward the castle, the hairs on the back of his neck tingled—the distinctive sign of a Vamsyrian nearby. Cold terror seized his heart with an icy grip.

Fuck!

He scaled the castle wall with effortless speed, fury burning through his veins. Every step carried him closer to her, mind racing, senses stretched taut. Entering the foyer, his boots whispered over the stone floor, the thick scent of blood clinging to the air, threatening to undo his composure.God, let it be someone else’s blood.

Fleeting as a shadow, he moved through the halls, every nerve straining for a sign of her. Then—

“Aye, Master,” Davina’s voice drifted to him, hollow and empty, stripped of the fire he loved.

Broderick’s blood turned to ice. For a heartbeat, he froze, horror locking him in place.

Then, like a thunderclap, he broke free and burst through the door to the lord’s chamber and almost staggered at the sight.

Davina stood before Angus, the front of her gown drenched in blood. It soaked her neckline and chin, a gruesome crimson mask. Her wide, vacant eyes barely registered him. In her hand, she clutched a dagger, but she made no move to use it. The reason carved a hollow pit in Broderick’s chest—Davina was Angus’s blood slave.

“Nay,” Broderick whispered, his voice shattering. Heat surged from the burning in his gut and into his eyes until he saw red. “Get yerfuckinghands off her. Yer fight is wit’ me.”

Angus’s arms wound possessively around her waist, his presence a cage of flesh and malice. He held the edge of his sword against her throat. A twisted grin curved his mouth as he dipped his head and nuzzled her ear like a lover. “Have I given ye enough time to test the limits of what ye’ve become?” He tilted his head, raising a challenging eyebrow. “Are ye a worthy opponent yet?”

Broderick’s jaw flexed, a burning coal beneath his ribs. He drew his sword in a smooth arc, the silver-plated edge singing as it cleared the scabbard. “This blade’s been starvin’ for your blood, Angus. I’d say it’s time we fed her.”

A low chuckle rumbled from Angus’s chest. “And lose my advantage by releasing the desire of yer heart?” He nuzzled Davina’s neck again, making her flinch against his hold. “I think not.”

Broderick’s eyes locked on Davina’s, searching desperately for the woman he knew. “Speak tae me, Blossom,” he pushed toward her mind. For a heartbeat, a flicker of recognition sparked in her gaze. His chest tightened with hope—but it vanished just as swiftly, smothered beneath the vacant, haunted veil of her enslavement. As long as Angus was near, exerting his will upon her, Broderick could not reach her.

He swallowed hard, forcing steadiness into his voice thoughhelplessness gnawed at him. “Do not make this about her. End this here an’ now. Let us finish this senseless feud our fathers left as their bitter legacy.”

“Ourfathers?” Angus’s grin twisted into something darker. “Ye hate the thought of us being brothersso muchye’ll even deny who sired me?”

“What…” Broderick stilled, a chill creeping along his spine. “What’re ye implying?”

Angus’s frown deepened. He tightened his grip on Davina, and she cried out as the edge of his blade nicked her delicate skin. A fresh rivulet of blood slipped down her neck, bright against her pale throat.

“Do not stand there feigning ignorance of my parentage!” Angus spat, venom in his voice. “Why else would ye hunt me so relentlessly?”

Broderick’s grip on his sword faltered. “What madness do you speak of?”

“Do ye think I’m stupid enough tae believe ye dinnae know we are brothers!” Angus roared, his voice laden with years of festering rage and bitter accusation.

Broderick barely had time to absorb the venom in Angus’s words before the madman lunged, dragging Davina with him like a shield of flesh. Their swords clashed with a scream of steel, sparks arcing between them as Broderick fought defensively, teeth clenched against his rising panic. He dared not strike fully, not with Davina so perilously close.

Angus beat him back into the corridor, blades singing their brutal song as Broderick maneuvered carefully, guiding Angus toward the staircase. If he could just get him outside. But Angus fought like a demon unbound, and Davina was going to get killed.

Summoning every ounce of his immortal speed, Broderick snatched her from Angus’s arms and shoved her into her bedchamber, slamming the door behind her.

Atfuckinglast!