Page 83 of Forbidden

Subtle tension overtook her, drawing her mouth into a taut line.

“What is it?” Erik asked.

“Duncan resents me,” Amber said.

“Quite understandable,” Erik said in a dry voice. “I don’t hold it against him.”

“But he holds it against me. It is like grasping nettles,” Amber whispered. “May I release him?”

“Soon. Until then,” Erik said, switching his glance to Duncan, “you might consider that Amber is your best hope of piercing the darkness of your past.”

“How so?” Duncan asked coldly.

“I should think it would be obvious,” Erik retorted. “Apparently she can sense things in your thoughts that you miss.”

“Is that true?” Duncan asked Amber.

“With you, yes. With others, never.”

Duncan looked down at Amber. The unhappiness in her expression told him that she disliked the process of questioning him through touch as much as he did.

“Why am I different?” he asked. “Because I have no memory?”

“I don’t know. I know only that we’re joined in ways I don’t understand.”

For a long moment Duncan simply looked at Amber. Then his breath sighed out. He picked up her fingers and gave them a kiss. Holding her hand between his own, he began speaking softly.

“When I first saw Simon, I sensed danger, voices chanting, candles,” Duncan said. “Then I remembered the feel of a cold knife blade between my thighs.”

Amber made a shocked sound.

“Not a comfortable memory,” Erik said, smiling thinly.

“Aye.”

Duncan’s voice was as sardonic as Erik’s smile.

“Go on,” said Erik.

“There’s little more to it,” Duncan said, shrugging. “I remember a man watching me with eyes as dark as midnight in hell.”

“Simon,” Erik said.

“At first I thought so. But now…” Duncan sighed.

“Amber?” Erik asked.

“Why did you decide it wasn’t Simon?” she asked Duncan.

“Because he didn’t recognize me. If I had held a blade between a man’s thighs, I would certainly recognize him and know the reason for our enmity.”

Amber stiffened.

“What is it?” Erik asked softly.

“The church,” Amber said. “It was a wedding.”

“You’re certain?” Duncan and Erik asked as one.