Yes, yes, I was so special I became a statue.
"You need to fix her," the one who the twins had called Owen demanded. "Like this, she's useless."
Breandan hummed, his gaze going distant.
Baran moved to my other side, shifting Callie out of the way.
The twins shared a look over my body, their gazes playful as if this was all a giant game.
I suppose since they weren't the ones stuck as a statue, it was.
In tandem, they bent and licked my cheek. They hummed again, their expressions mirroring each other. As if they were the same person yet separate.
"I taste betrayal."
"And the most delicious rage."
Breandan’s eyes closed as he sucked in an orgasmic breath. "Such a potent cocktail."
He ran his nose along mine. "I would like to feast on your emotions."
Baran pushed him back. "Now, now, twin. That's not what they kidnapped us for."
Breandan's lips pulled down in a disappointed moue.
"Can you fix her?" Travis asked.
Baran studied his fingernails. "There's no need. She'll eventually fix herself. Already her magic is loosening the bonds."
I felt my heart leap. This wasn't permanent. Thank God.
"How long?" Travis asked impatiently.
Baran's shrug was unconcerned. "To know that we will need to monitor the rate her magic eats the medusa's."
"That'll take too long," Travis said brusquely.
"Magic of the level you're asking has consequences," Breandan pointed out.
"You could end up burning out her mind," Baran added.
"Or enslaving her to your will." Breandan held up his hands as if to say what can you do.
Baran looked way too intrigued by that possibility. "Actually, twin, there would be worse things than an Aileen who would do anything we asked of her."
Breandan danced toward him. "You’re right, twin."
They joined hands and capered in a circle.
"No, we'll wait," Callie said.
The twins came to a stop, identical frowns of disappointment on their faces. They looked like children denied a toy. An uncomfortable simile considering what they'd just been discussing.
"Callie," Travis started.
"No. You said we needed her and I listened, but we will not treat a daughter of the royal line in this way." Her tone didn't invite argument.
"There's a lot at stake," Don said.
