59

Even Yesande recoiled at her shriek.

“Still think I won’t kill her?” he asked savagely, trying not retch at her gasping sobs. She deserved better than this.

Yesande took a step back, pallor leaching her already pale skin. “Father’s madness,” she whispered with horror. “It did carry to you.”

He allowed his eyes to gleam golden. This time the Haunt stepped back as well. “Go,” she told him hoarsely, too afraid to stand in his way now.

He drew his sword and dragged the moaning Jasmine out of there. No one got in his way.

***

“What happened to her?” Raziel demanded when they reached the stags.

Mathin touched the sides of Jasmine’s neck over her carotid arteries and cut off the blood flow to her brain. It put her out of her misery for the grueling ride ahead. “I broke her arm,” he said grimly, and handed her up to Raziel.

Eyes wide, Raziel said, “If we live through this, Keilor is going to kill you.”