#Chapter 175 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. Ryon was a young man Devin had played with as a child. Devin, more often than not, treated him more like a lackey despite all my reprimands, but it was Ryon's father who encouraged Ryon to remain in Devin's s