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“I will tell you all that I know.” His deep voice lost some of its harshness as he spoke. “I met with a man who told me that he was a friend of Mary’s family and that she is in immediate danger. She has been safely hidden for over ten years due to the generosity of her benefactor, but those who wish her harm are close to discovering her whereabouts.
“He does not know her location, only that there are three possible places the woman could be hiding, and it is imperative that she be found before it is too late.”
“When I sought a safe shelter for Mary, I purposely misdirected my path so that none would be able to find her,” Magnus said.
“I found Mary’s true location.”
Reena’s hand went out to Magnus, and he took firm hold of it as soon as he felt the brush of her skin against his.
“And what did you do with this information?”
“I kept it to myself until I could discover if this man spoke truthfully to me or if he himself meant the woman harm.”
“He confided the truth to you without any persuasion?”
“He needed no persuasion. He was visibly upset when I reported my findings to him and he confessed that two men were after Mary, one protected and the other was out to do her harm. Knowing both men’s reputations, he did not feel that either could be trusted, so he sought my help. He asked that I take Mary to a safe place until he could determine her true benefactor and seek his help.”
“And you returned here because I am one of the men whose name was mentioned.”
“Aye, you were one of the two.”
“And the other?” Magnus asked.
“Decimus.”
Reena felt Magnus tense, and she tightened her grip on his hand.
“I fear he will find her soon, which is the reason I returned here. You have much that concerns you now and it would not be wise for you to leave here. I can see to this matter for you and take Mary somewhere where she will be safe and where no one will find her.”
“Decimus will make her suffer if he finds her.”
“Then I will make certain he does not find her.”
“You should waste not a moment,” Reena said. “If you fear for her safety, then go now. See that she is kept well.”
“Tell her that her father sent you to her,” Magnus said. “When I first hid her away I explained that she must stay where she was until I came for her. And if I could not come myself then I would send someone and he would say, ‘Your father sent me to you.’ Say those words or she will go nowhere with you.”
“I will do as you say and you, my friend, take care. Kilkern will stop at nothing to take your land.”
His warning brought a smile to Magnus’s face. “He is a fool who will meet a foolish end.”
“Take care, mapmaker, and I will send word when Mary is safe.”
“Godspeed,” Magnus said and heard the door close, though he never heard the latch being lifted.
Magnus turned to Reena and took her into his arms, holding her to him while his hands stroked her back. She was safe here with him and he would make certain she remained safe. He would see to Kilkern on his own terms and settle a long-owed debt when he took Kilkern’s life. Then it would be done, and then he and Reena would wed and he would worry no more on the Kilkerns.
For now he would trust the Dark One to protect Mary and know that she was in safe hands. But he would not wait long to hear from the Dark One. Mary was his responsibility: he had given his word to his teacher to protect her, and his honor would allow him to do nothing less than to protect her with his life.
Reena rested her head on his chest. “Who is Decimus?”
“You do not want to know.”
“Is it safer that I do not know?”
Magnus took her by the shoulders and held her away from him. “It annoys you that I wish to protect you?”
“It annoys me that you do not let me help protect you.”
