Page 45 of The Aether

“He said, ‘but,’” Alexander Castor said with a wave of a fruity cocktail. “I heard him.”

She noted Trevor Blane’s presence in addition to Sebastian’s. It was the latter she focused on. “You never lie to me. Tell me what’s happening.”

“I’m highly offended you believe I do,” Damian said dryly.

“Hush, you. I’m talking to Baz.”

“Your daughter told your husband that you needed to let Josie bleed out. He’s currently trying to find a work-around to save your sister but drain her of her blood at the same time.”

Vivian’s knees grew weak. As usual, Damian anticipated her reaction and provided a steadying hand. “Taryn’s been in there, trying to ease Josie’s pain, all the while waiting for you to remove the bullet, Damian. Now you’re saying we’re supposed to let her die?”

“We’ll figure this out in just another minute, Viv. Trust me to take care of it.”

The sincerity in his eyes came through their link, causing her nerves to settle.

“Where’s Sabrina?” she asked.

Her blood ran cold at his forbidding expression.

“What do you mean? She was supposed to tell you about Josie. Did she?”

“No.”

“Beastie!” Damian roared, abandoning their group to run for the stairs. Halfway there, he halted and spun toward the French doors. “No!”

In a flash, he was gone, and all Vivian’s anxiety came rushing back. Sebastian snagged her wrist, effectively stopping her in her tracks when she would’ve charged after her husband.

“Baz—”

“Trust him to find her, Viv.”

She did—for all of two heartbeats. “Go after him. Find my daughter!”

Before she finished speaking, Trevor and Alexander were out the doors, hot on Damian’s heels.

Terrified Sabrina had gone to confront Morcant, Vivian began to shake.

“It’s okay, Viv,” Sebastian said softly as he drew her into his arms. “Damian won’t let anything happen to her.”

“She’s been a target since she came into her powers, Baz. Morcant, the Darkness fueling the Enchantress, Ronan’s cousins. And now, Morcant again. I’m afraid she’s never going to be safe.”

“Sabrina is a clever lass. Like her mother.” He drew away and lifted her chin to meet his confident gaze. “Trust her to know what she’s doing.”

“She’s a child!”

“She’s a hundred-year-old woman in a pint-sized body,” Ronan said as he joined them. “Are ya after tellin’ me where she’s gone, or do I need to be scrying for the wee wild beastie?”

“I don’t know,” Vivian admitted. “Damian teleported with Trevor and Castor on his heels.”

“My uncle Alex shouldn’t be hard to find.” Closing his eyes, Ronan said, “Blood of my blood, draw me to thee.”

He was gone in a flash.

“Vivian! We’re losing her!” Taryn hollered from the hallway. “Hurry!”

CHAPTER17

Damian found his daughter hiding in the maze with the puppies curled up in her lap.

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