Chapter 23With Ballard kept firmly in Jabez’s grip, Ryland had never felt so helpless. Or so furious.
I swear that at the first opportunity, I will get Ballard away from Jabez and deal with him. Personally.
“I can feel your hate for me, boy.” Jabez glanced at him. “Good. You need strong emotion.”
“I won’t do whatever it is you want.” Ryland snapped. “You’re wasting your time.”
“I dedicated myself to my master many years ago. I promised that my firstborn child, a son, would follow in my shoes. Providing the same blood sacrifices that I had. Persephone wasn’t my first wife, but the others bore girls. I abandoned them, and moved to the next. Until you were born.”
“What are you?” Ryland asked.
“More than human.” Jabez grinned and, as with his mother earlier, it was as if a mask had slipp
