“Dr. Carvay?” Philip said, his eyes still on Jaenelle.

Dr. Carvay, the head of Briarwood, stepped away from the group of men, glanced at Jaenelle, and shook his head. “I’m afraid the child has become unstrung by all the excitement,” he said solicitously.

*Lady.* Daemon sent his thoughts along a Black thread. Protocol. *Lady, they can’t understand you.*

Jaenelle stopped speaking. As Philip and Alexandra conferred with Dr. Carvay, she struggled to find the common language.

Dr. Carvay walked toward Jaenelle. “Jaenelle,” he said in a too smooth voice that made Daemon turn squarely to face him, “come with Dr. Carvay now, dear. You’re upset. You need some of your medicine.”

“Stay aware from her,” Daemon growled. An instant later he felt a tightening pain between his legs. He stared at Alexandra, who looked frightened but determined. She was using the Ring against him. Now, when Jaenelle needed him, she was threatening to bring him to his knees. He clenched his teeth against the pain and waited.

“Come, Jaenelle,” Dr. Carvay said again.

“You can’t have my sister,” Jaenelle finally said, her voice husky with rage. “Not ever.”

Every man in the room shuddered at the sound of her voice.

“We don’t want your sister. We want to make you bet—”

“I’ll send you into the bowels of Hell,” Jaenelle said, her voice rising with her rage. “I’ll feed you to the Harpies you helped create. I’ll shave you if you ever touch my sister. I’ll shave you all!”

“JAENELLE!” Alexandra stepped forward, eyes flashing. “You disgrace your family with this behavior. Put that down.” She pointed at the broken bottle.

Daemon watched, heartsick, as Jaenelle, rage and confusion warring in her eyes, lowered her arm and dropped the bottle.

Alexandra grabbed Jaenelle by the shoulder to lead her from the room. When Daemon moved to follow, Alexandra swung around and pointed a finger at him. “You,” she said venomously, “stay with Prince Alexander and see to Leland and Wilhelmina.”

Bitch, Daemon thought. She was doing this out of jealousy. He started to argue with her to take both girls home now, but another surge of pain through the Ring made him suck in his breath. Arguing now would only make things worse.

Daemon watched Jaenelle leave the room, escorted by Alexandra, Dr. Carvay, and Robert Benedict. She looked so frail, so vulnerable. He would talk to her again once Wilhelmina was home, take her by force to Cassandra’s Altar if that’s what he had to do. Saetan had to have enough influence over her to keep her away from Chaillot.

Saetan. Once he got her away from Beldon Mor, at least he would have some help protecting her.

By the time the pain from the Ring subsided enough for Daemon to move, Philip had already gotten Wilhelmina to her feet and was tugging ineffectually at her dress. With a low snarl, Daemon turned her around, settled the dress back over her shoulders, and deftly buttoned up the back. Her eyes had a glazed, drugged look, and she was shaking, more from fear than cold.