Ryker
After everyone armed themselves,I went through the portal with a sword in hand as I raced toward my father’s weapons room.I was sure that once he recovered enough from the shock of my betrayal and got his wits about him, he’d return to his castle to ensure it was secure until he could revoke my ability to open a portal into it.
It should still be a little while before that happened, but I wouldn’t take any chances by going anywhere other than the weapons room.I’d love to try searching for his treasury again, but I had to get in and out fast so I could return to Ellery.
When I emerged into the weapons room, I was prepared to cut down anyone who might be there.I hadn’t expected it to be full of guards waiting for us, but I wasn’t going to take any chances either.
The empty room remained dark as I searched for any sign of the enemy while more amsirah emerged from the portal.My father had sent many of his men to the palace to help with Ivan’s plan to uncover Ellery; he wouldn’t have sent them all though.
There would still be some here, guarding the castle, just in case.Despite most of the guards being at the palace, the weapons room had a full arsenal of supplies.
When sent to the palace, the guards had taken their weapons from their barracks.They were more familiar and comfortable with them than anything here.
They used the supplies in this room for training with different weapons.They were also a backup in case the castle was ever under siege.
As the others filed into the room behind me, we spread across the room.They ripped weapons from the walls, pulled them out of chests, removed them from lockers, and filed into the back room.
A couple hundred of Tucker’s followers swooped into the room and out again with as many weapons as they could carry.By the time they finished, the barren walls, flung-open trunk lids, and ajar lockers were all that remained within.
Smiling, I stepped back to survey the room as the remaining amsirah waited to funnel through the portal.The slap of footsteps in the hall drew my attention as they pounded toward us.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Ellery
“Fletcher,”Ruby gasped.
That was when I realized Billy was kneeling in a puddle of his father’s blood.My heart lurched.Mr.Fletcher hadn’t just fallen and started bleeding everywhere.
Something happened here.
My focus had been riveted on the blood and tears streaking Billy’s cheeks, but movement drew my attention to the shadows behind Billy.The sorrow blooming in my chest swiftly turned to horror and then fury.
“Milady,” Gaius greeted with a smile that didn’t reach his golden-brown eyes.“I knew you’d return.”
Beside me, Callan’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, but it froze when Gaius rested his hand on Billy’s shoulder.Ruby cried out as Gaius lifted Billy and pressed a blade against the boy’s throat.
“No, please, let him go,” Ruby pleaded.“He’s just a boy.”
“He’s a boy entwined with traitors and….”His voice trailed off as his eyes raked me.When he licked his lips, Ianto growled.
Gaius chuckled as he glanced at the giant.“How many men are you fucking, milady?”
“All of them but you.”
Billy’s and Ruby’s breaths sucked in when Gaius dug the knife a little deeper.When blood trickled down Billy’s throat, Scarlet seized my arm.“Lery, please.”
“Let him go,” I whispered.
“Oh, how I love to hear you beg, milady,” Gaius murmured.
I bit back a retort.Iloathedthis man, but I wouldn’t get Billy hurt because of my inability to keep my mouth shut.
My attention shifted briefly to Mr.Fletcher.The only thing moving was the growing pool of blood beneath him; I couldn’t tell if he was dead or alive.
“What did you do?”I whispered.
“Anyone standing between you and me will die,” Gaius said.
