Daemon gasped trying not to scream. His legs were threatening to give out completely. If they did he would be impaled by the sharp rocks that now sat between his legs.

The steady dripping of his blood was the only sound.

What had happened?

He couldn't clearly remember. His wedding. Well the second wedding. Rose had taken the babies and she had promised to stay in Scelt until the honeymoon was over. His father had come back to the hall. The rest of the family had spread out. He had assumed to take care of everything so Jaenelle could enjoy her honeymoon.

No that wasn't true Lucivar had come here as well. The eyriens of the family were staying with Marian hoping she wouldn't go into labor until Lucivar returned home. He knew that because of the warning web that he had found.

But how much time had passed he couldn't be sure. Days? Hours? Weeks? Not more than that. At least he hoped not more than that. Then again he had no way to tell. Not a drop of daylight. Not food… Nothing just the beating that scarped every scar he ever had until it bled.

He tensed feeling his brother drawing closer. The relaxed just some Witch wasn't with him. But did it matter? Lucivar had already been down here a few times each to tear flesh from his bones. Why would this be any different?

"Bastard?"

Shaky voice. Tired beyond exhaustion. Yes whatever was happening beyond this room His brother was taking no joy in it. "Prick?" It didn't mean he wasn't taking some joy in his brother's pain. Just a game. Just one of their games that would only end in death.

Carefully Lucivar came around to Daemon's front then squatted down. Taking a calm breath he very quietly said, "I convinced the Lady to let me give father a bottle of yarbarah. I mixed my blood in it."

What was Lucivar talking about? Father? Jaenelle loved him so why… Only one reason… "Is this my fault? Did I…"

Lucivar ignored the question. There would plenty of time to figure out what had happen after he fixed it. "I think… I think I can get help… but I'll have to leave you."

He tried to move his hands… hands that were bound by thick chains to the floor. Daemon nodded. "I should have died in that web. It would have been better if I had."

He wanted to roar… wanted to curse… and couldn't. If Janelle found out he had slipped down here his brother would pay the price. Or worse they all would. "Daemon?" He carefully touched his brother's hand hoping to focus him if only for a minute.

"A few hours. The body can't survives longer." Daemon winced trying not to give into the darkness that was calling out to him. "A little longer if the bleeding stops."

Lucivar nodded, "I'll see if I can reason with her. Whatever's wrong… She feels different today." He just hoped his brother understood what he was telling him.

Slipping upstairs Lucivar sighed with relief his absence hadn't been noticed. "Beal?"

"The lady is resting."

"The staff?"

A soft press on Lucivar's outer barrier then *The shield is weakening around the north tower. A few were able to slip out. I told them to go to the Keep.*

Lucivar nodded. How long until the Lady remembered to replenish the ebon shield? No better question was why it was failing at all. True it had been three days since this nightmare started but her shield could last a week or better. Unless … and he hopped he was right… Whatever spell… web… or whatever she was trapped in was unraveling. It was enough to give hope. "Be careful."

Beal nodded. "The prince?"

He couldn't bare to speak instead shook his head. Then squeezed Beal's shoulder. A few hours that is what Daemon had said. Hopefully he could convince Draca to help. Hopefully it would be enough.

A token tap on Jaenelle's door and he waited. Hopefully he looked submissive. Hopefully she would let him go for a short time. Hopefully she wouldn't look beneath his words to find the truth.

The door snapped open to his queen wearing something that didn't fit her as a queen or his sister. Wore something that a bitch queen would wear… Two sheer and much too reveling. Something else he would need to fix…

…soon.

"What is it?"

The snarl was not what he was hoping for. "I received word that Marian had my children. I would like to see them if you permit." Actually he had seen a messenger on the front lawn… considering they were from Ebon Rih He assumed that was the reason. No way to tell until she let him go… or until she let the spell fade enough to call out for help.

Her sapphire eyes narrowed, "I suppose you can leave long enough to see what she gave birth to." She turned to go back inside her room, "And prepare your brother I plan on riding him till he bleeds out."

Mother night. She was going to kill him. "You could ride him longer if the bleeding was stopped."

She turned sharply back to him, "Ha. I knew you welcomed the chance to pay him back. When you return… presuming he's still alive I might let you collect the rest of the debt that he owes you."

His stomach lurched into his throat. Still he managed a bobbled, "Thank you."

Once the door closed he very quickly made his way back to his brother. The blood from his back now pulling under his feet. "Bastard?"

A muffled moan of pain was his only answer.

A simple healing spell that would seal the open wounds … or at least stop the visible bleeding. No telling in there was internal injuries. No telling what spells Witch was using to keep his brother in the most pain. Kneeling down he forced Daemon to look at him. "Don't leave me."

Too much pain top talk. A quick nod then he forced out. "Make it quick." Not whatever he was going to do but the death that he was now convinced that he dissevered.

A kiss on Daemon head and Lucivar hurried to the door. The shield was now at his level. Or at least the shield around the door was. "Beal… keep everyone safe."

Flying it would take hours to reach the Keep. Using the gate? Before lighting the candles he called out to Chaosti. *Remove your rings. Then contact ever member of the first circle and have them do the same. And the coven. I need Karla and Gabrielle at the Hall Stay in Halaway until you hear from me.*

He felt the acknowledgment. Felt the change from his cousin to warlord prince. Knew The orders would be carried out without hesitation. And hopefully he would be able to explain the why very shortly.