Opening his front door, he stopped short at the sight of Brenna sitting in the moonlight with a sketchbook in her hands. Several drawings surrounded the spot where she sat on the floor near the open wall.
She looked up, shock filling her face as she scrambled toward him. “Is that your blood?”
“No.” Heat filled his lungs—an odd sort of panic. “I’m fine.”
She frowned and fingered his wet sleeve. “I don’t understand.”
He pulled his arm away, not wanting demon blood to touch her. “Why are you up?”
She stepped back. “I woke up and you weren’t there. Where were you?”
He shrugged and avoided her gaze. “I have work to do, but I’ll be home later.” Turning, he headed for the armory off the kitchen to change.
She followed him. “Jase, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Why did she have to be awake, damn it? “Everything is fine. Go back to sleep, and we’ll celebrate your birthday later.”
She ignored his offering and grabbed his arm. “Did you torture that demon?”
He shook her off and yanked the bloody clothes off his body. “I did my job. You knew it wasn’t pretty.” Grabbing combat gear, he quickly suited up.
Brenna lifted her chin. “You’re going after the demons.”
“Yes.”
“By yourself?” she asked, edging toward the door.
He grabbed her shoulder. “Yes.” Lowering his head toward hers, he gave her his fiercest expression. “You’re not to call anybody. Understand?”
Fire flashed into her eyes. “Aye, I understand. I’m to let you go off on your suicide mission without lifting a finger.”
“Yes.” He tugged a bulletproof vest over his head.
She wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself. “What about the solstice tonight?”
He paused. “I’ll be back.”
“If you’re not?”
“Then Moira and Conn will help you.” The disappointment in her eyes cut through his heart like a sharpened blade.
“I need you.”
The words slashed deeper than her expression.
“I’m sorry, Bren.” And he was—with everything in him. But this was his last chance to get Suri and Malco before they disappeared again. “Please understand.”
“I do. I fully understand.” She turned and headed into the kitchen. “I’m going home. Don’t try to contact me again.”
He stood in the armory, indecision halting his movements. For years he’d dreamed of this moment, he’d planned for it. Not even for Brenna could he give up his need for revenge. “I’m sorry.”
“Me, too,” she whispered, slowly moving out of sight. Out of his life.
He turned and grabbed another knife, shoving all emotion away. If he survived, he’d bring her back.
Doubt filtered through him, and he shook it off. One battle at a time. For now, he needed to grab the Degoller Stars from his gym. It was way too late to fight fair. Slipping out the door, he ran under the cover of darkness to his gym.
Stepping inside, he stopped short at the sight of Dage leaning against a far wall. Rage had lit the king’s eyes a vibrant blue, cutting hard lines in the sides of his mouth.
Jase swallowed, his anger rising. “Chalton freed himself.”
“Yes.” Dage twirled a star in his hand. “You killed the demon.”
“I plan to kill several more.” Jase eyed the two remaining stars on the top shelf.
His older brother waved a hand, and locks engaged on the large door. “I don’t think so.”
Temper heated Jase’s lungs, even as he measured the holes in the metal from Brenna’s fireballs. Not one was big enough for him to jump through. “Unlock the doors.”
“Fuck you, Jase.” Dage threw the star, and the weapon stuck in the far wall.
A roaring filled Jase’s ears. “Fuck you, King.”
“Ah, there’s the anger I’ve been looking for.” Dage angled closer, his voice softening to a deadly tone. “No more brave stoicism, huh?”
Jase’s fingers clenched his hands into fists. “You don’t want to do this.”
“Oh, but I do.” The king stepped close enough to hit. “Let’s talk about that anger, shall we?”
“I’m angry at the demons, which is why I have to go. Now.” Panic had Jase stepping back.
“No, you’re mad at me. It’s time for you to stop being such a chicken-shit and deal with it.” Dage angled to the side, effectively blocking Jase’s way to the exit.
“I’m not mad at you.”
“Well, I’m pissed as hell at you.” The smile the king flashed lacked humor.
“I know. I’ve been a pain since I got back, and as soon as I take care of the demons, I’ll work on the attitude.” Jase tried to shove down the anger, but fury rose up like furious insects finding a hole in the surface.
“No. I’m pissed because I spent half my life training you, and you failed. You allowed the fucking demons to capture you, and then you let them almost break you.” Fire crackled along the king’s arms.
“What?” Jase stepped back, the sense of betrayal chilling him. “You think this is my fault?”
“Hell, yes.”
Jase saw red. He jumped for the king, slamming him to the ground, not even registering the relief sliding across Dage’s face.
He punched with full strength into Dage’s jaw, trying to reach the floor.
Dage’s head slammed against the concrete, and he reared up, throwing Jase into the door.
Pain lanced down his spine. He came out swinging, going for blood.
Dage caught him with an uppercut, not holding back. Jase flew back into the wall, knocking the stars to the ground. His vision wavered. In his entire life, Dage had never tried to hurt him.
Until now.
“This is your fault, King,” Jase growled, circling his brother, fury burning him from the inside. “You sent me to fight as a kid, and then sent me to the demons. You’re more king than brother.” He swept out a foot and nailed Dage’s knee.
Dage pivoted, swinging wide to break Jase’s ribs. “I thought you could handle it. I was wrong.”
Jase punched Dage’s sternum, satisfaction lifting his chin when bones shattered. “I handled it.”
The king’s fangs dropped low. “Bullshit. I should’ve sent one of the women.” He kicked Jase square in the jaw, sending his head crashing back.
Jase growled and lost all control, arms swinging.
Dage met each hit, each kick, with one of his own.
Heavy fists pounded on the door.
They ignored them, both looking to draw blood.
All of the rage, shame, and fear Jase had been living with rolled through him, strengthening his hits. The agony flowed out of him inch by inch. Blood sprayed, bones shattered, and emotions ruled.
The pounding on the door got louder, and a drill sprang into action.
An hour passed. They both fought as if they had nothing left. Finally, Jase knocked his bloodied brother to his knees. Gravity yanked him right down, and he kept going until he lay prone. Blood poured from his body in several places.
He coughed up blood. The ball of fire that had been living in him disintegrated. Gone for good.
Dage slid onto his back, his broken bones rattling. “Feel better?”
Jase tried to see out of his swollen eyes. “Yeah. You?”
“Much.” Dage wheezed out air.
Jase didn’t know what organ to heal first. “Are we going to be all right?”
“Yes. Of course. We just needed to exorcise the demons. Ha-ha.” Dage coughed, the sound echoing like death. “Are we all right?”
