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"What happened to the Gray Lady?"

Jared tried to shrug "She’s probably back in Dena Nehele by now"

The phantom hand pulled hi malevolent flickered in Dae for the Gray Lady Every band of marauders who preys in this part of the Real around for a particular quarry Does that sound like Grizelle’s safely returned to Dena Nehele?" Dae tedious, so I’ll ive me a believable answer After that, I’ll take the inforh of your mind intact so that you’re able to fully understand what I’ when I tear your little witch apart" He paused "What are you doing here, Jared?"

For a moment, Jared felt too stunned to even try to answer Even the agony of the Ring of Obedience was a ainst Daehts, feelings, oods at a market stall At best, it would be a mental rape At worst, he wouldn’t necessarily be broken, but he could still be savaged so badly he’d never fully recover

And ould happen to Lia? Daeender

Jared licked his dry lips "It’s none of your business, Daemon"

Daemon smiled, a sweetly murderous smile "Puppy, when you wailed for help, and I answered, you ht, and ht of that sooner?

"Although," Dae some battered slut"

"She’s not a slut," Jared said hotly, pushing away froain, hard enough to make him wonder if he’d have cracked ribs as well as a crushed throat

Daeritted teeth "The witch nsher--"

The phanto the skin Blood trickled down his neck

"Liar," Daeold eyes glaze with cold fury He bit his tongue to keep froers tightened a bit more

Contempt joined the fury in Daeroin "You wear no Ring, Warlord And you’re down to your last chance"

"I do wear a Ring," Jared said, gasping for breath "I wear the Invisible Ring"

Unexpectedly, the phantorip

Daemon studied Jared Then one finely shaped black eyebrow rose, and he asked mildly, "Which one? The Silver or the Gold?"

Which one? Jared thought desperatelyWhich one ? How in the name of Hell was he supposed to knohich one?

It wasinvisible ! "I"

A loud thump came fro Releasing the Red lock, he rushed inside

Lia was crawling toward the door, her eyes glazed and unseeing Her right ar Tomas’s body away fro to reach her

As he crouched in front of her, he heard the door quietly close Heard the snick of a lock

He slowly straightened and turned

Daeainst the closed door, his hands still tucked in his trouser pockets In silence, he watched Lia’s efforts

"Who is she?" Daemon asked quietly ?

Jared took a deep breath and let it out slowly "Lady Arabella Ardelia The Gray Lady’s granddaughter"

Daee Not exactly surprise, but a swift reassess as he studied Lia

Jared nodded He had no chance against the Sadist, but he’d et to Lia

Daeed out of his tailored black jacket, tossed it on a chair, and began rolling up the sleeves of his white-silk shirt "Get her on the bed We’ll finish this discussion later" He stepped through the bathroom door