I opened my mouth, but Ronan interrupted me. “We already tried blood. Nothing will help.”

I held my breath, knowing what came next. Kieran set Wren down gently on our bed, her body shaking uncontrollably. I could feel the magick leaking off of her, and my own tattoo itched uncomfortably. I reached forward, but Wren’s dragon tattoo reared back and lunged towards my hand. Alarmed, I withdrew quickly before it could bite me.

“It barely let me carry her here. You know what you need to do,” Ronan said.

They acted like it would be a fight to convince me, but I’d given in mentally the moment I’d seen Kieran carrying Wren.

“I contacted him an hour ago. It shouldn’t be long.”

The muted shock on their faces was almost worth the blow to my pride when I contacted Thad. I admitted he had kept Wren alive, but I didn’t trust his motives as an unmated draken. I knew what was going through his head.

“You think he’ll come, then.” Kieran’s green eyes studied me, wary but hopeful. The last time he’d seen Thad was when he’d done what we couldn’t and fought his way to her side.

Ronan scoffed from Wren’s side, one hand stroking her forearm gently. His eyes never left her. “Of course, he’ll come. He’s in love with her.”

My inner draken snarled, incensed that anyone not part of our bond would stake a claim on Wren. If Thad had succeeded in seizing control of the fortress, did we have a new ally or enemy? And what did that mean for Wren?

Anxiety racked my body as I thought of all the ways this could go wrong. Thad could kidnap her or torture her until we did what he wanted. Looking up at Kieran and Ronan, I knew they felt the same; we would give anything to protect our mate. A niggling voice in the back of my head poked at me.

Even your people? You’d sacrifice them?

I swallowed heavily as I realized the truth, my inner draken roaring his answer.

Yes, even them.

Was this how my father had felt all those years ago? Shame fought utter smugness as my thoughts battled my instincts. Rhyfel hadn’t been my father’s mate, but she might as well have been after my mother died. I wasn’t totally there yet, but I was starting to understand how important just one life could be.

The wards of the island blared inside my head, and I shook it. They wanted to grant Thad’s draken access, but they also screamed in warning as they reached out and touched his demon side. I soothed them down, exerting my will to allow him through, but only to one particular spot. I wouldn’t have him appearing in the villages and causing panic.

“He’s here.”

I opened my eyes, and Kieran and Ronan nodded. I bent and swept Wren into my arms, her tremors quiet for the moment as she used the break to sleep. My hands tightened around her. I would risk this entire island by having Thad here if it meant he could help. With my hands full, Ronan and Kieran dove out the window, flying to the cliffs. They knew it was the only place I’d let him enter. I gripped Wren close to my chest and disappeared.