Merrow scrambled backward on his elbows, coughing blood, and leaving a dark trail behind him.
“I’ll give you the girl!” he choked. “I never touched her, I swear. I was preserving her value! Everything I said was a lie!”
Lyra’s breath caught. At least, however this ended, Kade would know Merrow’s words were a lie.
“Money. Power. More women? I’ll give you anything you want. Emberfell will be yours to command. Just tell me what I can do…”
Ash advanced.
Merrow’s eyes darted wildly, looking around for anyone who could help him, “Please-“
Ash lunged, his jaw clamping around Merrow’s head. There was a split second, before his head disappeared in Ash’s mouth, where Merrow’s remaining eye widened in resigned understanding.
Then Ash bit down, hard. The sound was wet and final. He wrenched
