"Now." She moved out of the tent and to the left, still facing him. "He will punish you if you don't wake him."
The guard half-turned, following her. "He is more likely to punish me if I--"
Kadar was on him. His hand covered the guard's mouth as his blade entered his heart. The man dropped to the ground.
Kadar motioned silently and Selene flew to his side.
He pushed her ahead of him around the right side of the tent.
Selene almost tripped over the body of the first guard Kadar had lured away. Then Kadar took her hand and was pulling her through the labyrinth of tents.
A few minutes later they reached the edge of the camp. Selene drew a deep breath. Too soon to be safe, but at least they had gotten this far without being discovered. Now they had only the run to the castle and--
"I thought you'd come back for her."
They whirled to see Balkir standing beneath a tree a few yards away. The moonlight gleamed on the blade of the sword in his hand. "I've been waiting for you. Nasim was wrong to trust you. He should have let me fetch his treasure. I would never betray him."
Kadar's hand closed on Selene's elbow. "Run," he whispered in her ear. "I'll follow."
She shook her head. She would not leave him to face Balkir alone.
"Stop whispering. You've lost. Nasim believes you to be so clever, but I'm the one who'll give him what he wants." Balkir stepped forward, hatred twisting his features. "And I'll take away what you want."
He lunged forward, the sword pointed at Selene's breast.
Die. She was going to--
Kadar leaped in front of her, knocking her to the ground.
The sword entered his chest.
"No!"
Balkir wrenched out the sword and Kadar fell to the ground. Selene watched the blood gush from the wound. She fell to her knees beside him. "Oh, sweet Jesus, please . . ."
Kadar's eyes were open. "Run . . ."
"No." Tears were running down her face. "Be silent. You're hurt . . ."
"Run." His eyes closed and he slumped sideways.
Dead?
Agony tore through her. She cradled him in her arms, rocking back and forth.
"Get away from him," Balkir said.
She scarcely heard him.
He took a threatening step forward. "I said, move away from that--"
"By Allah, what have you done, Balkir?" Nasim was striding toward them from the direction of the tents.
Balkir cringed. "They were trying to escape. You said we would kill the woman if he betrayed us."
"You clumsy fool, I didn't say to kill Kadar."
"He stepped in front of my sword."
