“We are family, Guill. Of course, I would do this for you. Did you doubt me?”
“I didn’t think you would be successful.”
The remark wounded Marcus. He had risked his life for that book.
Guillume stared at him for a long moment. “When I was tasked with finding this book, I debated giving the responsibility to you.”
Marcus felt a twinge of hurt burn through his chest but then realized that Guillume always spoke to him like this, in a degrading way. Always making himself seem better than Marcus.
“But in the end, I decided you were the perfect one. No real friends. No family ties. No connections.” Guillume took a step away from him. “And yes, you are technically family. But sometimes, sacrifices have to be made for the good of all.”
Marcus frowned. What was he talking about? He didn’t like the way Guillume spoke. “We are more than just family. We are friends.”
The four men moved toward Marcus across the yard.
“Friends?” Guillume asked, his eyebrows raising. “We have never been friends.”
Stunned, Marcus gaped at him. “We went to school together. We trained together. We were inseparable.”
“Inseparable? Lord! What I wouldn’t have done to get rid of you. I was tolerant of you because you are family. You are weak and unambitious. But you served your purpose.”
Purpose?Dread spread through Marcus. “What purpose?”
Guillume held the book up in front of him. “This purpose.”
Disbelief washed through Marcus. Guillume had used him to get the book. He had played on his loyalty and blood ties. Marcus had defended him from everyone’s accusations.
And he had been wrong.
Now everything was clear to him. “You sent the assassins.”
Guillume tilted his head in sympathy. “Imagine my surprise when you defeated them.” He glanced at the four men approaching. “But you will not escape trained soldiers.”
“Why? Why are you doing this? I gave you what you wanted. You have the book.”
“There are others looking for this book, and no one can know that I have it. There can be no witnesses,” Guillume answered coldly. “Not even family.”
Marcus’s teeth clenched. Betrayed. Deceived by the one person he thought he could count on. By his family. Over a damned book that he couldn’t even decipher. He stumbled back.
Movement near the side of the inn caught his attention. He saw Sage peering around the corner of the inn. Although he saw her from where he stood, the soldiers closing in could not.Sage!What was she doing here?
Desperation flooded through Marcus. She would be hurt. He would not sacrifice her. He shook his head slightly, signaling her to stay back.
Her hand went to her sword.
No, no, no!She was going to fight. His insides tightened with fear and anxiety. He couldn’t risk her life. Not again.
Guillume reached for his weapon.
Marcus glanced at him. He still held that damned black book tightly. The only thing important to Guillume—more important than his own family.
Anger surged through Marcus, and he rushed toward Guillume, grasping the book. He ripped it free of Guillume’s startled hold and launched it into the air toward Sage, yelling, “Run!”
