Page 14 of A Touch So Wicked

Holding her knapsack against her chest, Elissa crept down the stairs, grateful for her dark cloak that blended with the shadows. She had tread these same stairs so many times in the past she had no need of a light to guide her. When she reached the bottom, instead of picking her way around sleeping men to reach the front door, she slipped into the dark void beneath the solar stairs. It took but a moment to locate the tunnel exit. Opening the door noiselessly, she slipped through. Fumbling in the dark, Elissa found the lamp hanging from a hook embedded in the solid rock wall and stuck a match to the wick. Guided by the lamp’s mellow glow, Elissa continued down the dank passage. Mice scurried out of her way but she tried to ignore them and any other creepy creatures that inhabited the little used tunnel.

It seemed to Elissa that she had walked forever before she arrived at the exit. A few wooden steps led to a trapdoor that opened inside a shabby hut in the forest beyond Misterly. Lord Alpin had ordered it built many years ago to conceal the tunnel exit. He had also kept the passageway clear of debris should a hasty escape be needed.

The trapdoor opened with little difficulty. Elissa doused the lamp and left it on the step before leaving the tunnel and closing the trapdoor behind her. She exited the hut a few moments later and soon disappeared into the dark forest.

Damian paced his room, his mind and body too restless to sleep. He was a fighting man, one who had survived by relying on his instincts, and instinct told him all was not as it should be, even though he hadn’t sought the chamber he had taken for himself in the north tower until the keep had settled down for the night. Could something be amiss with Lady Fraser and her small daughter? Sleep was impossible until he learned what had set his nerves on edge. Holding a candlestick to light his way, he left his chamber.

When he arrived in the great hall, he encountered the overflow of men who hadn’t found beds in the barracks, sleeping on mats near the glowing hearth, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Damian glanced toward the solar, deciding to check on the ailing Lady Marianne and Lora before returning to his bed. He mounted the stairs and found naught amiss. His instincts had failed him, he decided, as he turned to retrace his steps to his own chamber. Suddenly someone stepped out of Lora’s room, startling him. He recognized Elissa’s kinswoman but didn’t recall her name. When she saw Damien, she nearly dropped the candlestick she carried.

“My lord! You frightened me.”

“Who are you? What are you doing up so late?”

“I’m Maggie Fraser. I often stay with Lora when she has a bad night.”

“What seems to be the trouble?”

“She’s coughing something fierce. I was on my way to ask Nan for a potion to ease her.”

“Then you’d best hurry, mistress. Unless my ears deceive me, the child is still coughing.”

Maggie scurried off. Since Damian was already awake, he decided to sit with the child until Maggie returned. He stepped into the chamber and approached the bed. Lora was stirring restlessly after a fit of coughing, her small face flushed. She saw Damian standing over her and her eyes widened with fear.

“Nay, child, you have naught to fear from me. Rest easy. Mistress Maggie has gone for Nan.”

“I donna like you,” Lora said. “I want Lissa.”

“I’ll get her for you.”

Lora shook her head. “’Tis too late. She’s already gone.”

“Nay, she’s just…” Damian went still as a prickling sensation crawled up the back of his neck. “What are you saying? Why wouldn’t Elissa be in her chamber?”

Apparently Lora realized she had spoken out of turn, for she clapped her palm to her mouth. Damian gently removed her small hand.

“Tell me, Lora, ’tis all right. If your sister is not in the keep, she could be in trouble.”

Lora said naught; she merely stared at Damian through luminous eyes.

“Donna frighten the lass, me lord.”

Damian spun on his heel, surprised to see Nan standing behind him. “I didn’t hear you enter.” Nan leaned over the bed and touched Lora’s forehead. “I wasn’t trying to frighten the child, Nan. I’m concerned about her health. Will she be all right?”

“Aye. She’s getting better, but sometimes her cough becomes worse during the night. I’ll handle it.”

“Administer to her, then. I’ll wait in the passage. I would have a word with you.”

Turning on his heel, he left the chamber. But instead of pacing outside the door, he rapped on Elissa’s door and burst inside when no answer was forthcoming. He was angry but not surprised to find the bed empty and Elissa missing. Muttering a curse, he turned abruptly, almost knocking Nan down.

“What do you know of this?” Damian roared.

“Naught.”

“You’re lying. You’re not helping your mistress by withholding the truth. Did she leave the keep? How did she get past the guards? A young maiden wandering the countryside on her own is an invitation to disaster.”

“She willna come to harm, me lord,” Nan said with utter confidence.

Damian gave her a strange look. “What makes you so certain?”