Marcus blinked. “Is everyone seeing that?”
“Proof he’s tied to Alandra,” Darius said. “Like Samantha was tied to me after our brush with the Wraith’s Kiss.”
The incident occurred months ago. After I’d cured Darius and Samantha of the Wraith’s Kiss, an insidious Netharat spell, Samantha had apparently woken with red eyes, holding enough of Darius’ latent power to withstand his elemental fire, which was in itself a sure indicator of her future in his life.
And now Aerolus looked similarly affixed to a woman. His affai—a troublemaking Aellein princess.
Both pleased and dismayed that my nephew was so closely tied to Alandra, I could only hope Aerolus hadn’t found her too late, only to lose her to the Dark. What that could do to a man didn’t bear thinking about.
Or reliving.
“Benold, you will suffer for your crimes.” Aerolus’ mage staff glowed with raging lavender flames. “It can be fast. Or slow. But you will pay. Tell me exactly where Alandra is and why the Dark Lord wants her.”
Benold scoffed. “You’re going to kill me either way. Do what you will.”
Aerolus impressed me, I’ll admit. His fury came from a depth I hadn’t realized he possessed. Always the calm one. The level-headed mage. The rational brother who often kept the others in line.
But not this time. This hard-eyed warrior wouldn’t stop until he’d saved that which was most precious to him. His affai.
The enemy had done for Aerolus what I couldn’t have with Storm Lord training.
Aerolus stared at Benold and tossed Darius his staff. “Do what I will, hmm? I hope this hurts.” He thrust his hand directly into Benold’s forehead.
Shadow shimmered around the connection between them, as their bodies seemed to merge. Benold’s bloodcurdling shriek grew louder and harsher, while Aerolus stood unmoving, staring firmly into his eyes.
“By the Light, that’s scary.” Darius staring unblinkingly at his brother.
“I knew he was powerful, but this goes beyond anything I’d imagined.” Marcus watched Aerolus with concern.
“Watch.” I shared their worry. But I also believed in my nephew.
A few ear-splitting moments later, Benold’s cries turned into desperate moans.
“You see, there is a vast difference between dying quickly and dying slowly. You, my friend, will continue to linger for days. Weeks. More.” Aerolus refused to let Benold drop, and the sight of his fist in the man’s head panicked Benold beyond measure.
“You took from me what you needed. Now let me die already.”
Aerolus shook his head. “What you have done justifies no less than agony. And perhaps more.” He withdrawing his hand then traced symbols on Benold’s forehead, chest, and hands while the traitor stood unmoving. “Enjoy the Light. And tell Oxcen I said hello.”
Aerolus took a step back and uttered the activation words.
I watched in awe as the traitor glowed in truth. But instead of a Djinn’s normal fiery man-shape surrounded by black fire, this Djinn glowed like a burning moon. Bright Light shot out through myriad holes all over his body, turning his aura a sickly orange.
Benold cried out and faded into nothingness.
“Oh, well done.” I gave him a slow clap, amused to see his brothers looking both awestruck and unnerved.
“Where did he go?” Darius asked.
“I sent him to Marcus’ Nocumat friend, Oxcen, who just so happens to be sitting in the Aellein queen’s dungeon just now. It’s fortunate Benold knew where Oxcen was, or I wouldn’t have been able to send him there.”
“Very fitting.” Marcus gave a nod of satisfaction. “That will hurt worse than anything you could have done.”
Aerolus’ dark smile was a grim reminder all was not yet right. “You think?”
“Scary, brother.” Darius shook his head. “But impressive. I like this new you.”
Aerolus sighed. “You would.” His tone relieved me more than words could have. “As glad as I am to see you all here, we have a situation. Alandra’s in Aelle, in the very place where they threatened to torture and kill her. According to Benold’s perfect memory, Balen and Sin Garu are currently waiting with Lidra and her council to judge Alandra’s crimes against the crown.”
