He also looked to be exactly the same age as his two sons, but before Selma had a chance to reflect on that startling realization, the demon’s black eyes landed on her, and all her contemplation halted as she tried to suppress a shudder. Something was off in his deep gaze—like she was staring into an abyss, not a person’s soul.

Thankfully he shifted his disturbing eyes back to Kesh after perusing her for only a few seconds.

“Why else would you come? I take it the woman is the Breeder your brother claimed a few days ago. Is he dead?”

His calm tone made Selma frown. He was talking about his child’s potential death with no more emotion than if they’d been discussing the weather.

“No, but the prince attacked him and gave him away to the queen so she can breed him. He needs our help.”

Selma hadn’t meant to draw the disturbing demon’s attention back to her, but his apparent lack of care made her push past Kesh’s protective shoulder to glare at the man who’d raised her mate.

“Our help, little Breeder?” Kirigan’s eyebrows crept up a few millimeters. “You care what happens to the beast who raped you?”

Unexpected anger flared in her chest at hearing the gentle giant who’d protected and cared for her spoken about as if he were anything like the monster who had actually raped her.

“He’s no rapist. He was going to set me free. Yes, I care for him—he’s my mate and the father of my child, and I don’t care what fucked up relationship you obviously have with him! I am going to save him—and if you’re not going to help me, I’m wasting my time.”

Something shifted in the dark, dangerous depths of Kirigan’s gaze, and realization of what she’d just said set in like a cold shock. Reflexively she stepped back, plastering her back against Kesh’s strong torso in instinctive search of protection.

“Well, well, aren’t you a little firecracker?” Kirigan mused before taking another sip of alcohol. “And pregnant? I suppose that explains why Kain would send her to you for help.” He raised an eyebrow at Kesh.

The demon behind her let out a low rumble, almost imperceptibly putting his shoulder back between her and his father.

“Apparently. Nevertheless, if he’s still alive as she says, I’m going to go get him. I assumed you would care what happened to your oldest son too, or I would not have brought his mate here.”

Kirigan’s upper lip curled in a snarl—the first expression of emotion she’d seen on him. “Of course I care. You and he are the only reason I still suffer through the torture of walking this Earth, despite what hatred for me still festers in your hearts.