The machines beeped their steady rhythm.
"But I'm here now," Victoria continued, her voice hardening. "I'm here and I'm not going to fail her again. The Blackwoods think they can use her to break their curse. Think they can sacrifice her and walk away free. But I won't let them."
She thought about Nicholas Blackwood standing at the border with his brothers, claiming Lilith belonged to them. About the arrogance in his voice. About the bond marks on Lilith's throat that marked her as theirs.
The rage that had been simmering inside Victoria for days roared to life.
"They took Marcus from us," Victoria said, and her magic crackled in the air around her, making the machines flicker. "Their father gave the order that left him to die. And now they've taken Lilith and bonded her and cursed her and they think I'm just going to let that stand."
She stood abruptly, releasing her sister's hand.
