Page 98 of The Shadow Wand

Stunned, I move a fraction away from the door, the full implications of a formal Sealing rushing over me, along with the fear of an army intent on destroying me.

Shaken, I peer back out at them.

They’re staring at each other, neither one relenting.

Lachlan finally lets out a heavy sigh. “Well, as much as your mother hates the girl, she does want grandchildren to carry on our line of power. And we’recertainlynot going to get them from your pious brother.”

Lukas sips his drink, his green eyes glinting. “See, Father, there are some advantages to my lack of piety.”

A harder anger flashes across Lachlan’s face. “Well, then, seal the fasting and breed on the girl. And quickly.” Outrage bursts inside me as Lachlan shoots Lukas a look of derision. “From what we saw earlier, at least inthatyou won’t have much of a fight.”

Lukas smiles lazily at him as anger rises in me, swift and potent, wildfire racing through my lines.

Lachlan shakes his head, his expression of ire softening. “A grandchildwilllessen the blow of this disastrous fasting and placate your mother. She despises the girl.”

“Her attempt to set the Banes on Elloren made that quite clear.” Lukas’s tone is meticulously pleasant, but I sense the sudden surge of his fire, as well.

Lachlan glowers at him. “Your mother senses defiance, and so do I. The girl needs a firm hand to bring her to heel.”

“Compared to Chi Nam, I don’t imagine she’ll pose much of a challenge.”

Lachlan shoots him a wry look. “No, I imagine not.”

Oh, Lachlan, you bastard. You havenoidea.

The two men stare at each other for a protracted moment.

Lachlan narrows his eyes at Lukas. “Why did you let her run loose for more than a month? Be honest with me this time.” He says it calmly enough, but there’s steel underneath his tone, and I wait, my breath suspended.

Lukas meets Lachlan’s gaze squarely. “I was rather busy with the annexation of Keltania.” His expression darkens as he looks down at the glass in his hand. “And I was deciding whether or not to dispose of her.” He fixes his gaze once more on his father, who nods, seeming somewhat satisfied by this as my fury grows.

“She’s quite bruised,” Lachlan says. “Is that all from the Vu Trin?”

“Some,” Lukas acknowledges. His jaw tightens. “I took her in hand.”

Lachlan averts his eyes. “Ah. Unfortunate. But necessary.” He looks sidelong at his son. “There is potential for power there,” Lachlan considers. “Vogel’s right. Your children could claim quite the magical inheritance. As long as youcontrolthem.”

“We’ll raise them here,” Lukas says, seeming disinterested. “You and Mother can control them as you see fit.”

Loathing takes hold.What exactly are you plotting here, Lukas?

Lachlan nods, seeming satisfied. “That uncle of theirs let the Gardner girl and her brothers run loose and wild. You can see what came of that.”

And that’s when the rage unfurls.

I grasp quick hold of my wand hand, digging my nails into it as I battle back the urge to send fire straight through the door and Lachlan Grey, my fierce grief for Uncle Edwin fueling an urge to violence that’s almost impossible to suppress.

Lukas gives his father a chilly smile. “Are we quite done, Father? I’ve matters to attend to.”

Lachlan stiffens. “Where are you going?”

Lukas sets down his drink, shoots his father a knowing look, then gestures to my room with his chin. “To bring her further to heel.”

Power roars through my lines, and I dig my nails deeper into my wand hand.

“Keep her pure till tomorrow eve,” Lachlan insists. “Do you hear me? Take your sport with her how you like, but keep her fastinglines pure for the Sealing. You’ve bucked traditionenough.”

“I’ll keep her pure,” Lukas promises unconvincingly as he starts for my room.

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