Ryker’s smile twisted into something sinister. “Good, you’ll need that hatred before I’m through with you.”
Ignoring the shiver that worked its way down my spine, I held my wrists up, the nullifying cuffs catching the fading light. “Take them off.”
Ryker slipped his hand into his pocket and retrieved the key before unlocking them.
I resisted the urge to rub at my bare flesh. Callum didn’t have the luxury of time.
Taking a steady breath, I placed my hands on my brother and let my magic delve into his body. A shocked gasp broke free when I felt how little of his life force remained.
“What is it?” Riordan asked, unable to conceal his fear.
“I need you to remove the branch.” Ryker moved as though to do as I’d instructed. “Not you,” I snapped. “Riordan, Eamon, can you help me?”
The men didn’t hesitate as they took their positions on either side of my brother’s prone form. I could feel the weight of Ryker’s glare on me, but I did my best to block him out.
He would never lay a finger on my brother again. I would slit my own throat just to cripple him before I let him harm Callum.
“On the count of three,” I said, and they both nodded.
“One.”
My hands were slick with blood. My brother’s blood. The severity of his condition hit me all at once, and I whimpered.
“Look at me,” Riordan said, pulling me from my impending breakdown. My eyes lifted to his, and he smiled. “You can do this, sweetheart.”
I nodded, exhaling slowly.
“Two.”
Magic pulsed in my veins, and I channeled it to where it was needed most.
“Three.”
Together, Riordan and Eamon pulled. Callum convulsed beneath my palms, blood gushing as they yanked the branch free.
Sweat beaded on my brow, and heat pricked my skin as I forced my magic into the wound. Bones were shattered. Veins had been ripped clean through. Every inch of him screamed with pain, but I shoved the agony aside and worked on knitting his flesh back together, drawing on my power until the bleeding slowed.
Eamon’s hand landed on my shoulder, grounding me, but I barely registered it. My vision narrowed to the ugly wound beneath my palms and the faint rasp of Callum’s breath.
“Stay with me, Callum,” I said, but he was beyond hearing me.
I gritted my teeth as my magic grabbed hold of a vein and stitched it. My brother’s body bucked again, but Riordan pinned his shoulders.
I sent my power deeper, heedless of the fatigue spreading through my bones. Heat swarmed my temples, and something wet trickled from my nose, salty and metallic.
Pain lanced my skull, a jagged bolt that threatened to take me under. I sucked in a shuddering breath and poured every remaining drop of power I had into the failing light inside my brother.
Callum’s body arched off the stone, a wet gasp tearing from his lips. Blood fountained from the wound, slick and hot. For a sickening heartbeat, I thought I’d lost him. Then his pulse hammered against my palm, frantic but alive.
“He’s stabilizing,” I said, my voice cracking around a sob.
My vision swam. Every inch of me trembled on the edge of collapse, but I didn’t dare let go. I pushed my magic further until the coppery tang of blood filled my mouth, thick and choking.
Another hand landed on my shoulder, but this one was not gentle and offered me no comfort.
“Enough,” Ryker said. “You’ve pulled him through the worst of it. Now, all he needs is rest.”
He waved toward Riordan, signaling for him to remove my brother.
