Only then did I notice Torin watching nearby, an amused look on his face more befitting a spectator at a sporting event.My fear spiked into a hot, sudden flash of loathing.At that moment, I didn’t know whether I hated stone-hearted Fionn or arrogant Torin more.
Fionn released me but turned to Cillian with a cold, unreadable look. A message passed between them, betrayed only by the tightening of Cillian’s jaw. I staggered back, catching my breath; his grip still burned against my skin, as if his anger had branded itself into my bones.I rubbed my throat, half-expecting to find his fingerprints permanently etched into my skin.
Cillian reached for me and touched my throbbing arm. I winced from the pain, but he kept his hand pressed firmly on my marked flesh. Within moments, a strangely warm, tingling sensation coursed through my arm, instantly relieving the pain.
"How did you do that?" I asked, moving my arm to find it completely healed.
There were more pressing questions to be asked. Like how did the portals work? And where were we meant to end up when we jumped through the one they created? But I knew from my short time with the brothers that they wouldn't tell me anything important.
Cillian, though... he might answer.
Not because he owed me. But maybe just to satisfy my curiosity.
“This is channelling our way of harmonizing with the universe's energy.” He smiled at my awed expression as I peered at my arm.
“It accelerates healing, connects us to the natural world. It's everywhere, influencing everything, if you know how to look.”
I looked up at him, still cradling my arm. "It doesn't sound simple."
"It is when you know what you're doing," Cillian confirmed. "There are many forces at play in the world, Tilly, but humans don't sense them like we do. How's the arm?"
He knew my arm was fine, he was trying to distract me from asking more questions.
I let him change the subject. For now. But I’d be asking again, and next time, I would press for real answers.
"As good as new," I confirmed.
I looked at him with gratitude, beginning to understand that I had an ally, at least for now. I tried to forget that Cillian had been just as involved in my abduction as his brothers. There was something different about him. He wasn’t like them. Or maybe he was?
Cillian smiled. “You see, Tilly, not everything about us is bad. Don't worry, we won't choose for you. That decision will be yours and yours alone.”
“That hardly reassures me,” I said. “I'm not choosing anybody. I have a boyfriend. Donte’s the only person I want to be with.”
Cillian gave a slight shrug and a wry smile. “So, you’ve already said.” But his eyes lingered a moment longer than they should have.
"What a touching scene," Fionn interrupted. I stiffened, startled to realise I had almost forgotten he and Torin were still there. A mistake. I needed to keep my guard up.
"But you know the rules, Cillian," Fionn continued, his tone colder now. "And you know what happens if you break them."
He cast me a glance dismissive and full of irritation, then turned and walked off. Torin followed but paused beside his brother.
"Tread carefully," he told Cillian, voice low, eyes flickering briefly to me.
"Then that’s something we all must do," Cillian replied. "Just because she’s mortal doesn’t mean she’s some toy to be mistreated."
Torin smirked and turned away, like it was all a game to him.
Cillian watched him leave, then turned back to me. "Are you all right?"
I rubbed my arm, the skin still tingling from where he'd healed me. "No. I want to go home, Cillian. How would you feel if you’d been taken from everything you knew?"
"I know how difficult this is."
"No, you don’t," I snapped. "How can you even say that?"
He reached out. Though his embrace was gentle, there was no mistaking the strength beneath it. His skin buzzed faintly under my hand as though it held its own current.
He held me briefly, took my hand and guided me toward theManor of Sternwacht. At first, it still looked beautiful with vine-covered stone walls wrapped around leaded windows that shimmered like stained glass. Bees danced from flower to flower in the garden, heavy with golden pollen.
