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He shrugged, his expression noncommittal. “It doesn't matter. It has narrowed the search down to a specific number of streets. I have ordered a team of guards to prepare for a house-to-house search upon your word."
"Good,” she responded. “We will dispatch them immediately."
The prospect of capturing another exotic bird in her cage pleased her immensely. Her gaze returned to the slave boy. Pride made him smug. He looked like a loose-mouthed creature. She needed silence on this matter if her plans were to succeed unhindered.
She walked slowly down the cobbled passageway, pausing after a while. “You have done well, young man."
The slave boy grinned.
Sibias's eyebrows lifted.
She smiled at him, exchanging silent understanding, sharing the secret thrill of what she was about to do. She took another three steps until she came level with the lever built into the wall. Seeing her hand reach for it, Sibias immediately stepped aside, leaving the slave boy alone on the spot.
"But you see, no matter how good you are, we cannot afford to have you speak to anyone on this matter."
Sensing something was amiss Patrino shuffled and put his hand on his chest. “I will tell no one."
"No, you won't, because I will be sure of that.” She pulled the lever in the wall and the stone beneath his feet shifted, opening the trap door that was set near each entrance in case an unwelcome visitor found the secret passageways, or for convenient, secret disposal of a traitor. She watched his expression of horror as the stone moved beneath his feet and he fell.
His scream echoed up around them.
Then, an eerie silence.
Sibias grabbed the torch from the sconce and they both moved quickly toward the open trap. He held the light over the pit, where it cast strange shadows around the walls and deep into its heart, where a massive set of upright spears set in stone were decked with the bones of those who had gone before him, and now bore the body of the slave boy Patrino atop the stack. Soon the rats would pick clean his bones and it would be as if he had never existed.
"He was a helpful slave,” Sibias commented as he looked down on the body, without regret.
"He'd served his purpose. Now we know where my son's forbidden concubine hides, we had what we needed from him."
"And you dealt with him very efficiently, Empress.” Sibias licked his lips, as thrilled as she was by their power over those who served them. The light and shadow from the torch showed his expression, his demonic thirst for more death and carnage, and the chance to unleash his black sorcery in her name.
"Thank you,” Mehmet said, anticipation rising fast inside her, for she wanted all of that too. “And now let's deal with the rest of them just as fast and efficiently, and then we can claim Aleem for our own."
Chapter Ten
Kerr had hoped not to awake Elra when he returned to the small, bare room she had been assigned in the servants’ quarters at the palace. He'd promised he would stay by her at night, lest she was beset with nightmares about what had happened to Amra. But she was awake, sitting by the dim light of a low burning candle.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to join you. Have you slept at all?"
"No, but I have managed to make us more comfortable here.” She was sitting against the wall, where he saw that she had stacked cushions and blankets. “I begged Xerxes to retrieve them from the traveling goods,” she explained, her forehead puckered by a frown. “So little is provided for the lower order of servants in this palace."
"You have made it perfect,” he said, as he sat down. He eased her in front of him so that he could gently massage her shoulders as they talked. How different it was to where Kazeen was currently living, Kerr couldn't help remarking to himself. Kazeen was hidden in the city, living a luxurious life in a place like a prison. How strange life was. It was good, however, to have seen his old friend well and happy. For the longest time he had thought him dead or banished.
He tucked a soft blanket around Elra's legs, nestling closer, her body warm and tender in his arms as he held her. “You should have rested."
"I couldn't."
He soothed her, kneading the tightness in her shoulders, kissing the top of her head. He wished she had returned to the safety of Suzin, but at the same time was so glad to have her near. He had grown very attached to the twins, but it was not until the death of Amra that he realized there was love in his heart, as well as desire. If something were to happen to this woman here he would never forgive himself.
"What is it?” She glanced back at him in the dim light of the candle. The flame shone on the rich brown of her sleek hair, highlighting the curve of her cheek, her skin so dusky and inviting. “What are you thinking about?"
Kerr's desire for her rose inside him and he sighed softly. “How much I care for you, but also that I wish you were safe, far away from here."
She smiled, and he was glad of it, for he had not seen her look that way for several days.
She turned in his arms, her hand against his shoulder as she looked into his eyes. “I care deeply for you as well, my love.” She drew him down over her, her hands running over his back, possessively. “I want you to make love to me, Kerr."
To hear those words upon her lips, it was like a dream. His blood was pumping; he was fast growing hard. And yet he resisted because of what they had lost. His body was already molded against the curve of her hip, and his hand roamed up from her waist to where he could feel the weight of her breast against his thumb. “I want that too,
