Page 81 of Villainous Soul

“I’m afraid Mr. O’Donnell is unavailable at the moment,” the older gentleman said.

“Unavailable?” Donovan moved, so he stood over Niles, glowering at him. “I’ve traveled a long way to see him. Let’s make him available.”

“Uncle,” Aidan called out from the doorway, soaked to the bone, barefoot, and wearing torn and tattered clothes. He moved so quietly that I hadn’t heard him open the door. “There’s no need for raised voices. I’m here.”

His eyes narrowed in warning when he saw me .

“Aidan,” Donovan said.

“If you’ll excuse us, Niles. I think our guests could use some refreshments.”

“Yes, sir,” he said, leaving the room.

“Uncle, what are you doing here?” Aidan asked, his focus settling on Cormac.

“I’ve come for answers. Answers that you’re going to give me.”

Aidan walked over to where Cormac sat, rocking back and forth. He was different. Not the same man he was four days ago, pale and gaunt. He looked strong and healthy and held himself with a new-found confidence. He gently placed his hand on Cormac’s shoulder. “Are you all right, Cousin?”

Cormac ignored him and continued to rock himself.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“I was hoping you could tell me,” Donovan said. “He’s deranged.”

Aidan turned to me. “Evie?”

I looked between him and Donovan.

“Evie, are you okay, darlin’? Where’s Keir? Does he know you’re here?”

Donovan pulled a gun from the waistband of his pants, pointing it at us.

Aidan jumped in front of me. “Whoa, Uncle. What’s going on?” he said, holding up his hands. “There’s no reason for this.”

“I need answers. I want to know about The Circle of Kings.”

“And you can ask me, but Evie is not a part of this. Let her go,” Aidan said calmly.

“She is the reason for what’s wrong with Cormac,” he raged. “She will pay for what she’s done to my son.”

“No, she has nothing to do with Cormac. I can assure you. She is innocent in all this.”

“Look at him. He’s a bumbling fool.”

“I had nothing to do with it. He banged his head,” I cried. “He needs medical attention. A doctor.”

“Yes, you did, you foul little whore. You brought that monster into our lives.”

“Uncle, enough,” Aidan shouted. “I will give you all the answers you want, but I insist you let me take Evie somewhere safe where she can rest. She’s barely standing on her feet.”

“Safe? She’ll try to escape,” Donovan yelled.

“There’s nowhere to escape to, Uncle. We’re on an isolated island. We have no services. Let me take her to a bedroom so she can sleep.”

“No. Is there a dungeon in this castle? I want something private. I do not trust her.”

“Uncle,” Aidan said.

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