Torin merely grinned with a dismissive attitude that rankled me. Of the three brothers, he seemed to be the youngest and, indeed, the most immature.
“If Tilly acts like a frightened human now, wait until she discovers the fate that awaits her."
Now, I was starting to feel insulted. Who was Torin to treat me this way? He cocked his eyebrow at my offended expression.
"Don't take it personally. Humans, in general, are merely playthings to me. They have little intellect and offer even less of a challenge. You, however, are different. You're destined for a great purpose; if you're fortunate enough, you'll share that destiny with me."
Although I knew Torin was teasing me for his amusement, I thought it best not to respond. I had no idea what the brothers’ true intentions were, or what destiny Torin referred to, but the thought of what else they might be capable of only unsettled me more. Seeing that his mockery caused no reaction, he hurried to catch up with Fionn.
As Torin drifted ahead, unconcerned and whistling a tune that seemed wildly out of place given the surrounding tension, Cillian leaned in.
"Take no notice of my brother. Torin is always like that. He finds amusement in chaos. Don't let him get to you."
Despite his words, Torin's whistling lingered, a carefree melody that seemed to mock the seriousness of our conversation.
We crossed the emerald-green lawn toward the front of Sternwacht Manor.
The delightful tinkling of fountains eased some of the tension curling in my chest. I inhaled the heady perfume of roses.
I glanced at my watch, but it had stopped around the time I’d been ambushed on the road. It only felt like an hour ago I was thinking about Donte, but by now, it could have been anywhere from minutes to days for all I knew. How long had I been gone?
Cillian led me toward the vast, arched entry flanked by lush vines. “Don’t worry. I’m here with you. I promise no harm will come to you.”
His voice was calm, too calm. He probably rehearsed the line a hundred times before. The words barely registered over the sick twisting in my stomach.
Fionn and Torin stood a few feet away, speaking in low, urgent tones. Their gestures were sharp, animated. When Torin stopped and turned to leer at me, I realised they’d been talking about me.
I took a step back, pulse hammering.
"Why are you looking at me like that?”
My voice broke halfway through, but I didn’t care. I wanted answers.
“Because you look strange but beautiful to us," Torin said, looking me over like he would a menu at a five-star restaurant. “We were discussing which one of us you'llbind to.”
I felt sick. Not from the words, though they were vile enough but from the way he said them. Like I was a prize. A novelty that he could play with.
I clenched my fists, trying to steady the tremor in my hands.
Cillian shot his brother a warning look, but my stunned gaze was directed only at Torin.
“Which one of you I'd choose?” I asked. “I don’t know how travelling through other dimensions affects your minds, but I can assure you that if you think your method of kidnapping women is any example of your behaviour, then superior is far from what you could remotely consider yourselves.”
I straightened, pulse still erratic but voice steadier now. “You want a choice? Here’s mine: I choose none of you.”
Rather than be insulted by my words, Torin seemed to find them a playful challenge.
“You can argue all you like, but you'll be obliged to bind to one of us sooner or later.” he said, voice smooth and maddeningly patient,
“Then you’d be my last choice! I’d rather wander the Earth for the rest of my days than be treated like a prize heifer!”
Torin laughed, but his eyes shone dangerously. Beside him, Fionn stood coldly watching. The more he watched, the more uncomfortable I felt in his presence.
Cillian stepped in front of me and glared at his brothers.
"Enough! We have enough to deal with. The vortex has thrown us far from our destination, yet we bicker! We have greater things to be concerned with."
"This isn't the time for a challenge, Cillian," Fionn said, his voice dangerously low and commanding again. "Tilly will choose one of us, and if she doesn't, she'll meet her unfortunate fate."
