Marcus glanced at Sage, promising himself that he would do whatever it took to protect her. He took a breath and swung the door open.
A squad of soldiers stood in the corridor with their swords drawn.
Chapter Sixteen
“This way,” one of the soldiers ordered, sweeping his hand toward the stairway.
Sage gritted her teeth as Marcus stepped into the corridor. She clenched her fists as she took in the sight of the unfamiliar faces. Their tunics, emblazoned with a black snake and red flowers, seemed menacing and strange.
Where were Willow and Christian? They were supposed to be keeping watch.
Sage cautiously followed Marcus down the staircase. Landyn and Raven descended close behind her. As the group reached the main floor, Sage surveyed the scene before her. An array of armed, broad-shouldered men stood in formation. It was clear there were too many for them to fight and win.
“What do you want?” Raven demanded.
No one answered her question.
The door creaked open, and a man wearing a suit of obsidian armor strode into the room, his eyes as cold and hard as the metal that encased him. Willow and two guards trailed closely behind. Christian came in last, flanked by three burly guards.
Sage’s heart clenched as her eyes locked on Willow. Was her sister hurt?
“Willow,” Raven called, “are you well?”
Willow bowed her head in agreement, but the deep crease between her brows remained.
Glancing at Christian, Sage noticed a bright pink hue on his left cheek, but otherwise, he seemed well.
“Sit,” the leader ordered Willow, his voice flat and icy.
Willow crossed her arms stubbornly and raised her chin.
The two guards stepped forward and pushed her down into a chair.
Sage clenched her teeth. “Who are you?” she demanded of the man.
“My brother,” Christian grumbled. “Simon Sterling.”
“Dalcop didn’t mention me?” Simon wondered, grinning. “I’m surprised.”
“You shouldn’t be,” Willow stated. Her voice was low and strained, her words filled with a sharpness that Sage had never heard before.
“My dear,” he said softly. “It’s always a pleasure to see you. Although, I must say I wasn’t very happy to find the book you gave me was a fake.”
It was Willow’s turn to grin. “I thought it was the book you needed. A prayer book.”
Simon’s eyes lingered on her for too long, and a wave of tension seemed to grip the room. He lifted a lock of Willow’s golden hair, gently brushing it between his fingertips. “Your humor is—”
Christian surged forward, his movements swift and sudden. He shoved Simon away from her and moved protectively in front of Willow, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t touch her.”
The guards around them grasped the handle of their weapons.
Simon lifted a hand for them to stop. “Careful, brother,” Simon hissed. “I’m starting to think you care for her.”
“I don’t want you selling her to the highest bidder again,” Christian growled through clenched teeth.
Sage trembled with anger. She suddenly remembered Willow telling them Simon had made a deal with that snake Verm.
“Think what you want, Simon,” Christian added, his lips snarling in anger. “Just don’t touch her.”
