“I’m sure you misspoke—a Breeder can never belong to her Procurer,” Kain said, spearing the doctor with a dark stare. “And this one is frightened of you. I think we can all agree it would be much better to let her be handled by someone she’s comfortable with.”

“I have been a Procurer far longer than you’ve been alive, young one,” Marathin said, the barest snarl penetrating his voice now. “It’s no use coddling a runaway—she needs to learn her place, and I will teach her. These Agents are here to ensure I’ll get what’s rightfully mine, and Lord or not… I suggest you don’t stand in my way.”

“Please, my Lord,” the leader of the Agents said, holding out his hand as if he expected him to hand her over like a dog on a leash. “She is not a Pure Breeder—this girl is of no concern to you. I know your father—you’re of a strong bloodline, and I would rather not lose any men today. But I will if I must.”

They weren’t going to let her go.

Selma stared from Marathin’s barely contained snarl to the six Agents standing ready to spring into action at any moment. She knew that if she didn’t do something now, she would be back in her tormentor’s clutches before the day was over. For good this time.

“I am.” The words were out of her throat before she could pull them back. “I’m a Pure Breeder.”

She would have continued—would have begged them to let Kain take her, told them that Marathin had lied to them to keep her to himself in the hopes that their loyalty was with their kind over the doctor—but she never got the chance.

As if they were one and the same, five of the Agents lifted their right arms and pointed them at Kain. Dark energy swirled around their palms.

“Step away from the girl. Now!” The leader no longer sounded calm. His voice was hoarse with stress, though he didn't take his eyes off the bigger demon.

Kain's hand had frozen around hers, and when the Agent not aiming at him with magic moved closer to pull her away from him, he didn't move to stop it. He simply stood as if carved from marble.

“Kain!” Selma fought against the man who had a firm grip on her, but his strength far surpassed hers. “Help me!”

“Shh, it'll be okay,” the Agent murmured, obviously trying—and failing—to soothe her. “No one is going to hurt you, precious one.”

“Is it true?” the leader rasped, still not looking away from the Lord. “Is the Breeder Pure?”