A demon awaited her—one she was going to have to touch.

She shuddered just thinking about it.

“Everything is going to be fine,” said Joseph.

She’d been so focused on the task ahead and his proclamation that she was free that she hadn’t been able to juggle keeping her mental shields up, too. But now that she was thinking about it, she could feel his warm presence hovering in her mind, keeping tabs on her without being intrusive.

She wasn’t sure how he managed the delicate balance, but it was something she was going to have to watch out for if she ever needed some privacy.

Right now, there were too many things spinning in her head for her to worry about that.

“What about the treaty?” she asked. “I’m supposed to be acting as your hostage to ensure that my brother upholds his end of the deal.”

Joseph hiked a few paces in front of her, giving her a lovely view of his broad shoulders. He shrugged as he walked. “I’ll release him from that part of the treaty. I don’t need a hostage anymore. I trust him to do what’s right.”

“And us?” she asked. “You Theronai are all about your bonds. You’re going to just let me walk away without a fight?”

“There’s nothing I want more than for us to be the kind of partners we were meant to be, but I made a promise to you. If you want to leave, you can. In time, your abilities will grow and you’ll be able to channel my power from a distance.”

“And your vow to protect me? How will you uphold that if we’re not together?”

He went quiet in a way that told her she wasn’t going to like his answer.

“Spill it, Joseph. I have a right to know how you’re going to manage this feat.”

“You’ve backed me into a corner, Lyka. I promised to lead my people for twenty years. I promised to give you your freedom if you bound yourself to one of us—which you did. Then I promised to protect your life with my own as any Theronai worth his salt would. How do I do all those at once?”

He couldn’t. Not unless she stayed with him at Dabyr. The problem was, he would be compelled to honor all of those promises. If he didn’t, the magic binding him to his word would begin acting on him in negative ways. It might be little, annoying things at first, but eventually he would be driven to do what he promised he would. He would have no choice.

“Do you have a plan?” she asked.

“I do.”

“And it is?”

“Every time you leave Dabyr, it will be with an escort of my choosing. Most likely a contingent of Theronai and Sanguinar. Slayers, too, if Andreas will assign some to your security detail.”

Lyka stopped dead in her tracks. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“I demanded my freedom from Dabyr so that I’d be free of it, not so you’d send it along with me.”

“It’s the only way to ensure your safety. I may not always be able to go with you, but I can protect your life with the power that comes with my position.”

“It’s not what I want, Joseph.”

“It’s not what I want, either. I guess that means it’s a fair compromise.”

Frustration tightened her skin. She stormed off, slashing the brush as she went.

There was no question at all that he’d do what he said. The problem was, she’d pushed him back into this neat little corner that had also trapped her, too.

“And if you’re thinking about trying to slip away from your protection,” he said, “don’t. Every one of my men would give his life for yours or for mine. Irritating the piss out of you by sticking by your side won’t even make them break a sweat.”

Lovely. At least at Dabyr, she had the privacy of her suite. With an entourage of armed men following her, she’d never get even a moment alone.

Lyka was just about to turn around and force Joseph to promise not to do that to her when she cleared the trees.

One of those human-looking demons was lying by the road, bound so tightly with duct tape that it looked like a silver caterpillar as it wormed its way toward Ronan’s unconscious body. He was also bound with tape, but only around his head.

From behind her, she heard the sound of steel on steel as Joseph drew his sword and charged.

“Don’t kill it!” she yelled, rushing to grab his arm before he could ruin their chance at using the demon to find Eric.

Rather than slice it in two, Joseph kicked the demon away with his boot. Then he crouched beside the Sanguinar and felt for a pulse.

Ronan groaned and his eyes fluttered. Silver light spilled out, casting long shadows along the ground. “Justice.”

“Yes,” said Joseph, clasping the man’s shoulder. “We will find justice for what was done to you. Hang tight.”

“No,” said Ronan before he conked out again.

Joseph got on his phone. “Nicholas, Ronan is hurt. We have no wheels. Send the chopper to my phone’s location.” He hung up and looked at Lyka. “Do whatever it is you’re going to do with that demon so I can kill it.”

She nodded and hurried to comply before he quit indulging her experiment and did what he’d been born to do: kill demons.

The creature had not been cowed by the kick Joseph had given it. It had already started inching its way back toward Ronan and the easy prey he provided.

Whoever had captured it had tied a gag in its mouth. The red fabric was dark and wet with saliva as it tried to chew its way through. Patches of wiry black fur splotched its face, reminding her of a spotted dog. Long claws at the tips of its fingers barely peeked out between layers of tape. It was trying to scratch its way free, and, given enough time, it probably would succeed.

The idea of touching the thing was repulsive, but she had no choice. The only time her gift had ever worked with a demon had been when it had come in physical contact with her. Being close wasn’t going to cut it. As horrible as the idea was, she didn’t doubt for a second that whatever Eric and the young were going through was much, much worse.

Lyka planted a knee on the thing’s chest. It lunged for her, bowing awkwardly in an effort to bite her. She increased the pressure and held one of her daggers against its cheek, right under its eye. It looked past her to where Joseph stood. A quick glance over her shoulder told her that his sword was drawn and ready for use, poised right above the demon’s groin.