MacInnes smiled broadly. “By the time the city realizes what is happening, it will already be ours.”
“A bold plan.”
MacInnes chuckled. “The best ones always are.”
Evan leaned over the map, pretending to study it. “Timing will be everything.”
“Aye.” MacInnes straightened, fixed Evan with a stare. “We only need one more thing to complete our encirclement.” He tapped another location on the map. “We need yer lands.”
“Then ye have them. Everything is in place.”
MacInnes stared at him and Evan forced himself to meet the warlord’s one-eyed gaze. The moment stretched, silence filling the tent.
Then MacInnes began to laugh, a delighted, almost child-like laugh. He clapped his hands. “Magnificent! Fergus, didnae I tell ye he would be convincing!”
Fergus Key nodded. “Oh, he’s a natural.”
Evan’s stomach tightened with unease. “What are ye talking about?”
MacInnes’ expression changed instantly. The warmth vanished and his face hardened like stone. “Oh, Evan,” he said softly, almost sadly. “Did ye really think ye could best me?”
Evan’s hand drifted toward the knife at his belt. But before he could move, the tent flap burst open and two men dragged someone inside. The figure was bound and gagged, badly beaten. Evan’s blood ran cold.
It was Hamish.
MacInnes gestured lazily. “Remove the gag.”
The cloth was pulled free and Hamish coughed. “Evan, I’m sorry. They were waiting for me when I got home—”
MacInnes struck him across the face. Hard. Hamish fell to his knees. Evan’s hands curled into fists and he took a step forward but MacInnes held up a hand.
“No further if ye please. Did ye think I didnae know that yer little messenger here was carrying information to yer brothers? Iknew all along, ye fool! And I allowed ye all to see what I wanted ye to see.”
Evan’s pulse thundered as MacInnes stepped closer, so close Evan could smell the beer and onions on his breath. “Ye have always been too clever for yer own good, Campbell. And that makes ye arrogant. It makes ye think everyone around ye is less intelligent than ye are. That was a mistake. Because I’ve been playing this game far longer than ye have. I know every trick there is.”
“I...dinna know what ye are talking about,” Evan replied. “I did everything ye asked me to.”
“Aye, ye did. And I’m grateful. I’m even more grateful that ye fell into my trap so wholeheartedly.” He grinned and leaned close conspiratorially. “Shall I let ye into a secret? The attack on the capital isnae happening on the night of the high tide. It’s happeningtonight. Even as we speak, my men are securing yer estate. Even as we speak, my cargo is being moved through yer lands—enough weapons to make the crown tremble. Even as we speak, the militias we have positioned around the capital are preparing to move. All they wait for is my word. And when yer lands are secured, I will give that word. How does it feel to be the one who will give me victory?” MacInnes smiled cruelly. “By the time yer allies act in two days’ time, it will be too late. It will already be over.”
Despair hit Evan like a physical blow. He locked his knees to keep himself from staggering. All his dreams of a future with Ruby turned to ash. He would never see her again. All he could hope for was that Niall and Charlie would find a way to get her safely home.
MacInnes nodded to Fergus Key. “We dinna need our dear Campbell anymore. Kill him.”
Behind him, steel rasped from scabbards. Evan drew his knives and spun to find Fergus Key and the others clasping drawn swords.
“I’d like to say it’s been a pleasure,” Fergus Key said. “But we both know I’d be lying. Putting steel in yer belly, however, will be a great pleasure—”
He cut off abruptly as a shout came from outside, followed by the clash of weapons.
MacInnes scowled. “What the—”
“Attack!” someone yelled.
As everyone turned to look at the tent flap, Evan seized his opportunity. He lunged, drove his elbow into Fergus’s face, knocking him down, then spun and slashed Hamish’s bonds in one swift motion.
“Run!” he bellowed.
He yanked Hamish to his feet then the two of them turned and barreled into Evan’s minders, shoving them aside before they had time to recover, then dived through the tent flap, MacInnes bellowing at his men to stop them.
