Thorn Queen (Dark Swan, #2)(82)

"What is it?" asked Kiyo.

"A sword from legends. One to slay evildoers everywhere. Eugenie's having it made for me."

Kiyo gave me a wordless look that was nonetheless full of questions. "It's a thank-you gift. Dorian's done me a lot of favors lately," I explained.

"I assure you," said Dorian straight-faced. "I take as much joy in the giving as you do in the receiving."

"Okay," I said hastily. "Are we good to go? I saw the guards out there. I'd like this done sooner rather than later."

The biggest impediment turned out to be Ysabel, who threw her arms around Dorian and begged him to be careful. He patted her hastily on the shoulder, assuring her he'd be fine. His eyes were impatient, though, and he didn't look back when he strode out with the rest of us. Poor Ysabel. I was almost starting to feel bad for her, despite her hopes that I wouldn't come back. She really was nothing more than a bed warmer to Dorian, and while most of his women knew that, she just couldn't accept it.

Jasmine was ready as well, still bound and looking angry. Volusian was with us, and he had standing orders to subdue her if she tried anything-which I felt pretty sure she would. Unfortunately, I also needed Volusian to fight demons, which meant he couldn't watch her all the time. None of us could, and I was going to have to do some tricky maneuvering to keep the gun on her while still attempting banishing.

Kiyo frowned disapprovingly when he saw her, more so when she had to be helped on to her horse. "This is wrong, Eugenie," he said softly, once we were all riding. He was going in human form today.

"Which part? Bringing her or keeping her prisoner?"

"I don't like any of it."

"What happened to you saying you understood the choices I have to make?" I hissed. "Was that just to score sex?"

Dorian had ridden up on my other side. I had no doubt he'd heard the sex comment, but he didn't acknowledge it. "How would you suggest she handle it then? Let the girl go?"

"No," Kiyo said, giving Dorian a dark glance. "But there are more humane ways of dealing with her."

"I gave Jasmine her own room and got her better cuffs! What else can I do?" I asked.

"I don't know," admitted Kiyo.

"Then don't criticize if you can't offer a solution," said Dorian. "It's easy to want peace and love in hypothetical situations-then reality sets in, and sometimes we have to do what's ugly."

"I don't recall asking for your input here," snapped Kiyo.

"As it is, Eugenie, you've got a hard choice ahead." Dorian was speaking like Kiyo wasn't even there. "What are you going to do when you've finally taken care of this rabble? What will you do with the prisoners?"

I shrugged. "Send them off to work details."

"Even their leader, Cowan? The one who summons these demons? Surely you don't want him out and about, even if it is digging ditches."

"Don't listen to him," said Kiyo. "He's baiting you. There are prisons, even in the Otherworld. You can send him there if he survives."

"A charming act of mercy, no doubt," mused Dorian. "One that will terrify future enemies."

"I'm not going to kill everyone who gets in my way," I exclaimed. "I'm not my father, no matter how much you want me to be."

"I wouldn't quite say that's what I want," chuckled Dorian. "But as a leader, you need to make examples sometimes."

"Mercy's not a horrible thing," I argued.

"Storm King never showed any," said Kiyo.

"Indeed," agreed Dorian. "And I just want to make sure his daughter doesn't show too much. You aren't the only one who protects her, master kitsune. We all just do it in different ways."

"Enough," I ordered. Rurik was drawing the group to a halt up front, meaning it was time to go on foot. I was grateful, seeing as I was getting sick of listening to Kiyo and Dorian's pissing contest.

Just like before, we went on foot, the whole experience giving me a strange sense of deja vu, even though the bandits had changed location. I also had odd recollections of the time I'd defeated Aeson. Dorian and Kiyo had been with me then, about as thrilled to be with each other as they were now. Shaya had been there too, but Rurik had nearly had a fit when she offered today, and I couldn't help but recall Girard's words.

I certainly hadn't had an army at my back when we'd gone after Aeson. Rurik sent men with a knack for moving stealthily to scope out the camp and dispatch any enemy scouts. The waiting made me restless, and a tense silence settled over everyone. I glanced at Jasmine, still bound. I wouldn't uncuff her until the last possible moment and still didn't trust her.

"You know what you have to do?" I asked her.

She'd been staring off thoughtfully at the guards ahead, taking in the sloped land and scattered pines. Probably planning her escape, I thought ruefully. Like before, these brigands had chosen the best cover they could find in this barren land. She turned to me, immediately putting on her standard scowl.

"Yes."

"And you know what'll happen if you try anything?"

"Yes." Pure malice looked at me from her eyes.

"Good," I said, shifting my hold on the gun. Her eyes flicked briefly to it, and if it scared her, she made a good show of still looking defiant.