Page 23 of The Piper's Pursuit

“I am sure it was Katerina who landed the killing blow, Herr Bürgermeister.”

“You are sure of this? Because I—”

“Quite sure.”

“Well then.” Uncharacteristically, Hennek fell silent.

Steffan glanced at Katerina. Her eyes met his for a moment. They both knew that killing the beast had not accomplished much of anything. The children were still missing, and there was a second beast. But something kept him from mentioning that fact to Hennek.

Seven

Katerina’s heart still pounded. Steffan had proclaimed her to be the slayer of the Beast of Hamlin. He could have downplayed her role in the killing and claimed Hennek’s reward. Instead, he’d made sure Katerina was safe from Hennek’s badgering—or trying to force her—to wed Steffan. And this, after all the rude and accusatory things she’d said to him.

She glanced askance at him. What manner of man was he? Or did he have some less noble reason for denying his own role in the slaying of the beast? But in this moment she wanted to believe his motive was pure.

Hennek was clearing his throat. For once in his life, he didn’t know what to say. No doubt he was confused that someone would give up a reward.

Steffan was saying, “If you wished to give me half the reward—five hundred silver guilders instead of a thousand—I would not object to that.”

So he was still a mercenary.

Hennek laughed. “How about I strike a new deal with you. If you are able to rid the town of all the rats, the reward is yours. Is that not a most generous offer?”

“I will accept the reward for getting rid of your rat problem.”

Was he willing to allow Hennek to force her to marry him after all?

Steffan glanced in her direction. She did her best to warn him with her eyes.If you think you can force me to marry you, you will meet the sharp edge of my knife blade.

He half frowned, half smiled at her harsh look, then winked again.

The man thought he was charming. Kat allowed an uncharming snort to escape her.

“You may yet get to marry a duke’s son, Katerina!” Hennek roared with laughter, an exaggerated reaction to his own jest. But his laugh sounded fake and even angry.

Until now, she’d been thinking Steffan was safe from Hennek, that Hennek would want to impress him and send him back to Hagenheim with a glowing report of what a good man the Mayor of Hamlin was. But Steffan wasn’t leaving. And if he truly wanted to help her find out what was happening to the children of Hamlin, as he said he did, then there was no knowing what Hennek might do to him. Hennek wasn’t just angry that Steffan hadn’t accepted the reward for killing the Beast of Hamlin. He was angry that Steffan was still there.

Suddenly she remembered Steffan’s arm.

“Lord Steffan was injured,” Katerina said, interrupting Hennek. “I shall show him to the healer’s house.”

“What?” Hennek looked confused.

Steffan raised his sleeve. “The beast took a bit of flesh before succumbing.”

A few spots of blood had seeped through the bandage.

“Ho ho! A few more scars to add to your collection, eh?”

Steffan shrugged. “They make for good stories to tell at the alehouse.”

“Ah, yes! Of course, of course.”

Katerina took two steps toward the door, and as she’d intended, Steffan followed.

Hennek called out nonsensical warnings, laughing at his own inept jests, as they left and went in the direction of the healer’s house. She walked in silence, trying to figure out how to warn Steffan that his life was in danger.

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