Casimir abruptly stood and loomed over Jareth. “Fuck you.”
“See? There’s that temper. Just like me.”
Casimir leaned in. “At least I can control it better. I don’t go around killing innocent people and blaming it on the fact that I blacked out and can’t remember.”
Jareth lunged, attempting to headbutt Casimir, but he was too quick. Aro was on his feet in an instant, growling as he lumbered toward Jareth. Bastien rose and joined. Even Luna padded over, baring her teeth.
“Call off your animals.” Jareth squirmed.
Tell him if he tries to hurt any of you, Bastien and Aro will rip him apart and I’ll eat his insides,Luna said.
Ava snorted, then relayed the information.
Quinn smirked, tossing her dagger in the air and catching it by the handle.
“Fine. Now untie me.”
Quinn waved a hand and her vines fell away. Jareth stretched, shaking out his arms. “Now what?”
“First of all,” Ava said, Casimir seated beside her again, his eyes on Jareth. “Are you planning on killing your father?”
“Not today.”
“Great,” she deadpanned. “Why did your father keep that information when mine burned all of his?”
“No idea. He’s arrogant. Maybe potential blackmail against Valeria or just to have some type of evidence of what happened for whatever reason.”
“Jorrar,” Ava said. “What next?”
“Well, my gut is telling me the end of this book may be the key to banishing or killing Andras.”
Ava stood. “We need the book translated as soon as possible. Let us know when you’re finished. Oh, and Quinn?” Ava gestured to the dagger still in her hand. “I thought you handed over all of your weapons when we arrived.”
Quinn gave her a wry smile. “It seems I must have missed one.”
Back in their room,Ava slumped to the bed, her mind still reeling. Casimir had demanded Jareth heal her wounds. Though he did so with an air of boredom, there was a hint of guilt on his face. He would never admit it out loud, but there was regret there. He hadn’t intended to harm her.
Casimir sat beside her, taking her hand in his.
She turned to face him. “Are you angry with me? For doing this alone with Jareth?”
He took a deep breath. “No. I’m not angry. But I wish you would have told me where you were going. He could have killed you.”
“You would have insisted that you come along.”
“Yes. I would have.”
“Then Jareth wouldn’t have helped.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I know…”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I’m not sorry for what I did. We needed that information.”
He lowered his gaze back to her, moving his hand to the side of her neck, thumb brushing her throat. “Are you in pain?”
She shook her head. “No wonder he’s so horrible all the time. His soulbond died and he just found out your father was behind it…” She could hardly wrap her mind around it. “I don’t know what I would do if you died…especially if it was by my own family’s hands…”
“I feel for him. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone…even Jareth. But it doesn’t mean I like him. He still has a choice in how he treats others. We’ve all experienced trauma and don’t behave the way he does. Raine lost the person he loved and is one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known.”
