Call of the Siren(80)

“H-he took him.” Taeg’s voice cracked. “Mammon took the baby.”

A harsh, angry noise filled the cabin, like that of a wounded animal. In Dagan’s despair, it took him a moment to realize the sound had come from himself. The wooden block shattered to pieces in his hand, and several of the knives sliced into his palm. He released his grip, blood dripping to the countertop, and studied the damage as it slowly began to heal itself.

“We’re going to get him back,” Taeg growled. “If it’s the last thing on this earth that we do.”

“Yeah,” Dagan croaked in agreement. “Yeah, we will.”

Or they would all die trying.

A line had been crossed, one that should never have been…and now there would be hell to pay.

…

Keegan’s body shook as he crossed the floor of the hotel room he’d rented for him and Brynn after the events at the cave. He took a seat next to her on the bed and reached out to draw her into his arms, but in the end, he found he couldn’t.

Everything in Brynn’s body posture, from the head she cradled in her hands to the knees curled up against her chest, told him she was on the verge of breaking. If he touched her, he feared she would go over the edge.

Or perhaps he would.

“We’re gonna get him back, baby. I promise.” His voice was hoarse, barely recognizable to his own ears, thanks to the breakdown he’d had when he first learned Mammon had taken their son.

She let out a low, wounded moan, her body shifting back and forth as she rocked herself. “My baby, Keegan. He has my baby.”

“We’re getting him back,” he repeated, chancing a comforting hand on her upper back.

Brynn lifted her swollen, tear-stained eyes to his. “I’m gonna kill him, Keegan. I’m gonna tear him apart, inch by fucking inch.”

“I know.” His hand flexed on her back. They hadn’t even invented names for the forms of torture he envisioned for Mammon and this Belpheg. That they would dare use a tiny, helpless infant…

Well, it didn’t really surprise him. Mammon was capable of anything, he knew. But he and Belpheg had signed their own death warrants when they’d dared to take Aegin. He was going to destroy them both, if it was the last thing he ever did.

Thank the devil Mammon didn’t kill Brynn. Though Keegan still couldn’t figure out why. That would have been just the thing for him to do, especially given what he’d done to Keegan’s own mother.

His heart clenched with a strange blend of pain and relief when he gazed upon the woman he loved. He lifted a hand to her face and wiped the stream of tears coursing down her cheek.

As if she’d read his mind, she hoarsely whispered, “He thought about killing me. Mammon did. Thought it would be a good way to finish driving you insane. But in the end, he decided to leave me alive, as penance for my part in having him locked away. He knew it would be the worst form of torture for me to have to live knowing he’d taken my son from me.”

“I understand,” he murmured. That was just like the bastard. He couldn’t simply punish. No, he wasn’t happy until he’d broken someone’s spirit.

Her face darkened with rage. “I’m gonna kill him. I’ll kill anyone who even dares to lay a hand on my baby.”

She would too, no doubt about it.

He could only pray Aegin would still be alive when they recovered him.

No.

His chest tightened in unbearable agony, forcing the breath from his lungs. No, he wouldn’t think about that. It was inconceivable. Aegin would be fine. And this hell they were currently living in would be over. Once and for all.

…

When Dagan had woken Lina from a dreamless slumber, she’d initially thought he wanted to make love again. But then she’d noticed how stiff his body was. His swollen eyes. And gods, when she’d heard what he had to say…

She’d seen some sick, twisted shit in her days, and she knew from hearing the stories just how evil Mammon was. But learning that he’d use his infant grandson as a pawn in whatever cruel, wicked game he and the dark fae were playing…that was beyond disgusting.

They’re not going to get away with it.

No child should ever be used in such a way, much less a tiny, defenseless infant. She would do whatever it took to help them get Aegin back. She’d even give her life for such a cause.

He’s just a baby…even younger than Sara.

No. No, it wasn’t going to happen. Not while she was still breathing.

“Let’s go,” she said, hopping off the bed.

Surprise registered on his face. “Are you sure? You don’t need to rest for a bit?”

“Dagan.” She tenderly cupped his cheek. “Mammon and Belpheg have Aegin. I know how much you must be hurting right now. How eager to get him back. I feel the same. So let’s go.”