Chapter 275 Only Time

• Charles
• I could kill him. I could strangle him for getting caught up in all this, though I knew he was too smart for this stupid ploy. The anger and disappointment warred in me, but it didn't burn hot or violent the way I expected. Ryon was even younger than Devin, less sheltered, more battered, and probably more of a victim of his circumstances than anything. I knew his family enough to know that it was very likely that Ryon hadn't wanted to be here, no matter what Lucian believed.
• His eyes were bloodshot and bruised. His jaw had a gash across it that was still oozing blood and might even be infected. His hair was matted and crimson-stained. There was a gash there, too. He smelled of blood and basic medicinal herbs but also of dirt and rot. Concern and anger bloomed in my gut.