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“I could give a shit about payback other than to find Soleil,”he said impatiently.“Do I walk through the portal, or what?”

“It depends on how worried you are about your skin. I’d test it first.”Knox crossed to the nightstand and picked up Soleil’s romance novel, preparing to throw it at the opening.

“Wait!”Trev replaced the book in Knox’s hand with a vase.“She’s still reading that one.”

The other two men exchanged an amused glance.

“Fuck off,”he muttered.“Throw the damned vase.”

“Stockton might have a fit if you use that particular one,”Damian said with an arched brow as he closely studied the object in Knox’s grasp.“It’s priceless.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!”Trevor stalked across the room and picked up a decorative pillow.“Will this work?”

“I don’t see why not,”Damian replied. His lips were twitching as if he struggled not to laugh. The urge to hurl it at him was strong. Instead, he tossed the pillow into the center of the teal web.

It caught fire.

With a snap of his fingers, the Aether extinguished it.

“I’d worry about your skinas well asthe rest of your person if I were you,”Knox said with a sigh.“That shit’s going to Kentuckyfryyour chicken, dude.”

Rage was born of Trevor’s worry and inability to help Soleil.“Enough with the fucking jokes. She’s on the other side of whatever this damned wall is, probably terrified and fighting for her life if she isn’t de—dea—”He couldn’t voice it aloud. Him, a Death Dealer whose job it was to take life, and he couldn’t say the simple word.

He dropped to his ass on the floor and wrapped his arms around his knees as he struggled to draw a breath. The silence in the room was oppressive and crushed his chest, adding to his struggles. They suspected what he did.

“I’m sorry,”he croaked.“I’m… I…”

Damian placed a hand on his head.“Sleep, son.”

Darkness obscured his vision, and he fought the spell as long as possible.

“Soleil,”he murmured as he pitched sideways.

“Was knocking him out helpful?Don’t we need him to get the girl?”Knox asked as Damian placed a hand under Trevor’s back and lifted him, letting his magic do the work.

“He was spiraling and useless to us until wehave a better grasp ofthe situation.”

“I’m laying odds the guy’s going to be on a rampage when you finally wake him.”Knox checked his watch.“I have to get back to Spring. I don’t trust that whoever did this isn’t after her.”

“Go. And summon me if you need assistance. I’ll consult with Masters and Sullivan before sending the Guardian to you to protect your wife.”

“Did you forget I have a god’s powers?”

“No.But if you feel confident in guardingher, I’ll keephimwith me.”

Knox considered the situation.“Send him if your Seer thinks I need him. Otherwise, we’re good.”

“Did Alastair discover anything in the meantime?”

“Not before all of this. I don’t know ifhedid since I’ve been here, but I’ll havehimcontact you.”

“Fair enough. Thank you, Mr. Carlyle,”Damian said.

“Knox, and you’re welcome, sir.”They shook hands.“Please keep me posted.”

“Certainly.”

After Knox left, Damian considered the problem. He wasn’t surprisedin the leastwhen the door openedandhis daughter peeked her head inside.