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Standing beside a shackled and gagged prisoner, Mirceo gazed up at Lothaire--the red-eyed king--with a defeated expression

What was happening? The tension between theure it out later Cas readied to trace--

Trehan clamped his shoulder to prevent him "Lothaire has been in rare form these last few days," he said in a low tone "If you'd like to survive this day, I suggest you stay out of his way"

Cas growled, "Who hurt my mate? Was it Lothaire?"

"If the king thrashes you, hoill you be able to help Kosain You have a family to think about now"

Cas sank his claws into his pal

Lothaire stalked closer to Mirceo "Do it Do it for your sister," he said "That is a royal command"

Do what???

Appearing dazed, Mirceo leaned toward the restrained male--toward his neck

Cas'shimself away from Trehan

Just before Mirceo's lips made contact, a blood tear tracked down his cheek He drew back, shaking his head "I-I can't"

Cas kne much Mirceo loved his sister, could see how starved the vampire was--how could he not bite that male?

Lothaire snapped, "If you don't drink Kristoff, I will"

"No way," the queen--Elizabeth?--said froht over the edge"

Lothaire gruffly said, "I'll be fine, Lizvetta When did everyone get so fucking persnickety over this?"

"Forget it, Leo"

Lothaire turned to Mirceo, baring his fangs "Kosmina is in jeopardy"

Another vampire male said, "Because you sent her out!"

"Do I need to crush your skull again, Viktor?"

A hulking Dacian with a flask in hand--must be Stelian--said, "As if you care about Mina Let's not pretend"

"Kosmina Daciano is my blood relation Mine No one takes froodsdamned neck! Your sister's life is on the line"

"I know that!" Mirceo all but sobbed "This is killing me!"

His pain is my pain

Trehan increased the pressure on Caspion's shoulder

Lothaire thundered, "Do it now! Do you not want your sister saved?" Abruptly changing tack, he softly queried, "Do you think she's frightened right now? Will little Kosmina cry for you? Don't you believe she's already injured?"

Blood tears streaainst his head

THIRTY-FIVE

Mirceo beat his skull and tore at his hair Was Mina crying for her big brother? Was she scared? Is shedead?

Though the need to save her clawed at his throat, his fangs were dull and useless His mind understood why this act was necessary, yet his body remained irrevocably faithful to his ine he was about to sink his fangs into one of Caspion's war veins, but his body hadn't been fooled

He'd just thought, I need my demon, when familiar hands seized his wrists A low voice soothed: "Hey, hey, love I've got you" Strong arot you"

Caspion Mirceo shuddered fro you?"

"I'm here"

Lothaire demanded, "Who the hell is this demon in my court?"

Pride ringing in his tone, Caspion said, "I'et Mina back"

How had Caspion found out? How had the dedom?

Anger disappearing as if it had never been, Lothaire returned to his throne "Continue, demon tracker"

"If she wasn't in the Forbearers' stronghold, then they don't have her You waste your time That's not the trail"

"Then who does have her? What is the trail?"

Caspion asked Mirceo, "Does your arm still pain you?"

"Yes I believe she was injured, and I feel it Have for days"