"Soon, I'll return to Tornin for his head. Would you like that? How does the idea of your brother's death make you feel?"
"Like I'm hearing a weather report for a town I don't live in."
"I almost want you to have loyalty to him."
"Don't you understand? You'll never get close enough to use that weapon on him. He rarely leaves Tornin. He has guards and mystickal traps surrounding him at all times. Damn you, Rydstrom!" Her wrists were bleeding. "Let me go!"
He'turned from her and left the room. As he headed to his study, he gazed down at the sword-the most remarkable one Rydstrom had ever beheld. The weapon felt like an extension of his arm.
This was all he'd wanted, and he'd barely spared a glance at it. His brother had risked his life to claim this for him, and Rydstrom hadn't said a word of thanks.
Just now, Cadeon had looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
I think I have.
39
She sagged with relief. "Lanthe, where are you?" Her sister's voice had come to her once before when Sabine had screamed for help, but then it had faded again.
Dimly Sabine heard, "Dodging really big birds. What happened to you?"
"The demon caught me and chained me to his bed."
"He did what? As soon as I lose these ass**les, I'm com-ing after the demon."
"What are you going to do? Portal him to death?" Sabine said. "Can you evade the Vrekeners for much longer? Wait, I hear him coming . . . just stand by!"
Rydstrom returned to her then, gazing at her with pain and confusion in his dark eyes. He reached for her, but instead of touching her body again, he began to free her bonds.
She held her breath. Was he letting her go?
"Do you know what I saw when you told me to dream of what I needed most?' His voice was hoarse as he unchained her ankles. "I dreamed of you and of our son. We were happy, Sabine. I was able to make you happy- and to protect you. The feeling was indescribable."
"Lanthe, he's freeing me-just hold on a little longer!"
Rydstrom continued, "But now I know that will never happen."
Once he'd released her, she shot to her feet and scrambled back from him, but he just sank onto the side of the bed, his face exhausted, his cheek marked from her nails.
"Lanthe, are you still there?" Sabine took only enough time to snatch up the undershirt he'd left out for her and drag it over her head, then she headed out.
At the doorway, she said, "Look, Rydstrom, I'll be back in six days. I promise you."
"No, you won't. I'm done, Sabine."
She whirled around. "What? Rydstrom, no-"
"I'm not like this. You bring out the worst in me." He was holding his head in his hands. People did that in grief, or in the realization that something they'd wanted was forever out of reach.
He'd given up on her. And she wanted to ask him not to. Even give him reasons why he shouldn't. But Lanthe was out there alone, defenseless.
"All we're going to do is continue hurting each other. I don't want you to return," he said quietly, but with steel in his tone.
"Demon, wait.. . ."
He met her gaze. "Do not come back here."
When she felt her bottom lip trembling, she made herself invisible. Casting another glance at him, she ran from the room.
"Abie, are you there? What's happening?"
"I-I just got broken up with."
"What? Well, you don't need him anyway!"
"Ah gods, Lanthe. I think I really do."
Lanthe sprinted, out of breath, getting herself more lost. She and Sabine both had zero directional skills. Hadn't she just passed those tennis shoes strung over the power lines?
All the while she was craning her head around to scan the skies and trees for the Vrekeners. But she thought she'd ditched them.
There'd been at least two dozen. And when she'd first seen several of them crouched on the limbs of an ancient oak, she thought she'd spied the scarred face of Thrpnos among them....
"I'm out of the house now."
Lanthe was so relieved she nearly tripped. "Then let's get the hell out of here. I've lost the Vrekeners, so all we have to do is find our way back to the portal. Do you remember where the park was?"
"Are you kidding?"
"One would think, huh?" Alley after alley opened up like doors to choose from. She sprinted headlong down the wet steaming pavement of one, then turned to fol­low another.
"Wait! I think I see it." Lanthe sprinted toward a clearing ahead-it would have to be the park. "I'm
here!" She could see the portal not even fifty yards ahead. "Follow my . . ." She trailed off, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.
Lanthe gazed up with dread.
Vrekeners everywhere. Dotting the tree limbs, sur­rounding her on the ground. They'd trapped her, using the portal as bait. "Ah, gods, it's a trap! They've been waiting for us. Driving me, so I'd draw you out."
If Sabine hadn't been tackled by that demon, she would've been seized by them. "Abie, don't come here. This place is crawling with them!"
"I'm on my way!"
Lanthe caught sight of Thronos once more. Crouched on a limb in his black trench, he looked like the Reaper. He smirked, stretching the raised scars across his face. Then he dropped effortlessly to the ground.
The ass**le thought he had her.
A perilous incident was supposed to reignite her power of persuasion? It didn't get much more perilous than this. Why not try?
He gave a hand signal, and in a flash, they attacked as one. She gulped in a breath and sprinted for the portal.
Some flew overhead as she hunched and darted, some chasing her on foot. "Leave me alone!" she cried. Had she felt a twinge of power?
Never slowing, she glanced over her shoulder. The ones on the ground had stopped. Those in the air flew in place. All except for Thronos, who appeared to be gnashing his teeth, straining to resist her command.
He continued limping toward her with malice in his
expression, his wings unfurling with hostility. Stalking closer. ...
Should Lanthe try to find Sabine? Or attempt to lead them away again so her sister could get through the portal-
One by one, they began to throw off her command, charging once more. In a panic, she scurried forward, diving headfirst into the portal, landing halfway into her room in Tornin.
Thronos was right behind her, catching her foot at the threshold. She gave a mule kick, connecting with his mouth. "Get back," she commanded.
The battle within him was clear as he resisted, but he took a step back.