Yesterday? Damien swung his legs from the bed.
“They looked all over the castle. She is nowhere to be found,” Helen said and shook her head. “I feel horrible about this.”
Damien frowned at her, instantly suspicious.
Helen looked down at her clenched hands. “The way I have been treating her was… less than respectful. I didn’t think… You were with her. I didn’t think anyone would…” She lifted her eyes to meet his. “I’m worried about her.”
Damien rose, swiping his tunic from a nearby table. He donned it as he bent to retrieve his boots. He yanked them on and thought about what Helen had said. Found him yesterday in the northern tower. That’s where he and Aurora had last been. He took his new sword from a nearby table and sheathed it. His head still ached. He paused to run a hand across his brow. Where could Aurora be? Whoever hit him must have taken her. Was she back at Castle Roke?
“Lord Gabriel wants to speak to you. He’s in the Great Hall,” Helen added softly as he stepped out into the corridor.
Who hit me? And what have they done with Aurora? Damien wondered, his heart pounding in dread. He turned a corner and came to an abrupt stop.
Gawyn moved toward him, his clothing wet, his black hair plastered to his scalp. A smile spread over his lips. “I knew a blow to your head would never kill you.”
Damien rushed him, throwing a punch at his chin. “Where is she, you son of a bitch?!”
Gawyn rocked back with the blow, falling to his hands and knees.
Damien grabbed him, pulling him up by the front of his tunic, and shoved him hard against the wall. “Where is she?”
Gawyn clenched his jaw. “Nice way to greet your own beloved brother.”
Damien threw a punch into his stomach. “Did you hurt her?”
Gawyn doubled over with a grunt.
Damien pushed him back against the wall. “Where is she?”
“I’ve been searching for her!”
“Liar!” Damien growled and threw him across the hall into the opposite wall.
Gawyn hit the wall hard and fell to the ground.
Damien placed a booted foot across his brother’s throat. “I told you I would kill you—”
“I’ve been searching all night,” Gawyn croaked, pushing at Damien’s foot.
“Why don’t we visit Lord Gabriel and you can explain to him who you are and why his daughter is suddenly missing,” Damien growled. “I’m certain he’ll find your story rather amusing. Just give him your friendly, knowing smile and everything will be fine.”
“Then you can explain to him exactly what you were doing to his daughter before she suddenly vanished.” Gawyn’s smile grew. “Don’t threaten me, brother.”
Damien’s foot lowered on Gawyn’s neck, choking him. “And how did you know what I was doing? If you do, then you know where she is.”
Gawyn gasped and attempted to push Damien’s foot from his neck. “Lady Helen told me,” he wheezed. “I convinced her to keep it a secret from Lord Gabriel. But maybe I was wrong in the matter.”
“Helen is no lady,” Damien said. “Her words are pure poison. I would not believe one thing she uttered, especially where Aurora is involved.” Damien lifted his foot a fraction, allowing Gawyn to breathe. “She was the one who told you I was with Aurora? If she saw me with Aurora, she must have seen who struck me from behind.”
“She said she had come to the north tower and discovered you. She was in tears when I happened upon her.” Gawyn’s impertinent smile grew. “Looks like you still have a way with the ladies.”
Damien ignored his brother’s statement and looked down at him. “You really don’t have her,” he stated.
“How can I slit her throat if someone else has her?” Gawyn asked. “It’s in my best interest to get her back.” Damien reluctantly removed his foot from Gawyn’s throat. Gawyn rolled to his feet, rubbing his neck, and studied Damien. “Tell me this. And tell me truthfully because it could mean the difference between another assassin and a jealous woman. Does your concern stem from your job or do you actually have feelings for Lady Aurora?”
Damien turned away from Gawyn. There was a time when Gawyn knew him better than anyone. But that had been long ago. Now, Damien wanted Gawyn to know nothing about him. “I don’t want to see her hurt,” he replied.
Gawyn narrowed his eyes slightly, studying him. “Ah, ah, ah,” he said, wagging a finger at him. “You didn’t answer the question. How involved are your feelings for her?”
Damien glowered at him. “I’m involved more than any sane man should be,” he said. “How’s that for your damn answer?”
Gawyn was quiet for a long moment as he stared at his brother. Finally, he shook his head sadly. “You should have kept your distance.”
Damien looked earnestly at his brother. “Damn you, but I need you to help me find her.”
He shrugged. “I’ve looked. I’ve been looking since they found you yesterday. Whoever took her is good. There’s no trail. Nothing. It’s like she vanished. Just like that. Gone. No one saw anyone leave the castle. No one saw anything inside the castle.” Gawyn shook his head. “It would be pretty embarrassing if another assassin got to her, huh?”
Damien would not let himself even imagine that possibility. He wanted to smash the smug look right off his brother’s face, but his head throbbed mercilessly.
“The problem is that it happened late at night,” Gawyn continued. “And the north tower is very secluded. Only the guards do a patrol there, as you well know. It’s raining, too. So any blood or footprints have long been washed away.”
“It can’t be coincidence it happened as my time was running out,” Damien said. “Have you checked Castle Roke?”
“Roke does not have her. Of that, I’m certain.”
“I’ll find her,” Damien proclaimed and moved toward the Great Hall.
***
Lord Gabriel paced the middle of the Great Hall, his hands knotted in fists behind his back. He ignored the servants huddled near the wall whispering amongst themselves.
Rupert rushed in and dropped to his knee before him.
Gabriel ignored the exhaustion lining Rupert’s eyes. He ignored the streams of water running from his tunic and hair. “Tell me you found her,” Gabriel ordered.
Rupert looked away from his Lord’s order.
Gabriel closed his eyes in anguish and turned away from Rupert. He wanted to cry out until Aurora was found. Frustration tightened in the pit of his stomach.
“She is not in the village. The peasants would have stopped anyone who tried to take her. I have men searching the forest now,” Rupert said. “We will find her.”
“It is getting dark,” he whispered, fear and terror entwining their way into his heart. He shook his head. “She has been gone for almost one complete day. This will be the second night. Two nights.” He closed his eyes tightly.
Rupert rose. “I swear to you we will find her.”
Gabriel turned to him, desperation swirling around him like a fog. “No one rests until she is returned to me. No one.”
Rupert sighed, obviously weary. “Aye, m’lord.” He left the room.
Gabriel ran a hand over his beard. Where is she? If anyone harmed her… He spied Damien coming toward him across the Great Hall. His eyes widened in rage. “What the devil happened?” he asked, storming across the room to meet him halfway. “You were supposed to protect her!”
Damien stood tall, his face grim. “I believe she still might be somewhere on the castle grounds, Lord Gabriel. No one has seen her leave.”
Lord Gabriel clenched his fists tightly. “Damn it, man! You were supposed to guard her.”
Damien remained calm. “What about scorned suitors?”
Gabriel’s jaw clenched. “There are a handful of suitors that thought they were more worthy than Ormand.” Gabriel waved his hand in the air. “But none have passed close to Acquitaine’s borders. And my daughter is still missing. For two nights now.” His shoulders sa
gged as he put a hand to his forehead. “Two nights.” He shook his head. “You were supposed to protect her.”
Damien did not move.
Gabriel shook his head as he stared at the stranger he entrusted with Aurora’s life. What did he know of him? Nothing. He had followed his instincts and now Aurora was gone. “I hold you personally responsible for Aurora’s disappearance.”
Damien did not move. He accepted the blame without blinking an eye.
In any other circumstance, Gabriel would have admired Damien’s accountability. But this was Aurora. This was about his only daughter. He could not tolerate Damien’s failure. He couldn’t stand that his instincts had been wrong. Gabriel straightened his shoulders. “You are dismissed.”
Damien stared at him for a long moment. Then, he nodded and whirled.
Gabriel watched Damien depart the Great Hall. Damien had failed him. He had failed Aurora. But if that were so true, Gabriel wondered why he felt his only hope was walking out of his castle.
Chapter Twenty Nine
The rain beat a steady crescendo upon Damien as he urged Imp out of the castle, and over the drawbridge. Darkness had fallen long ago. Damien turned Imp off the road and moved him along the side of the castle. He was fully rationed for a long search with flasks of water, some ale, bread, salted meat and other bits of food. Numerous weapons were also within quick reach, some on the horse and many secured on his body in various places for fast access.
Damien dismounted, his booted feet sloshing in a puddle as he touched the ground. He patted Imp softly on his flanks as he moved around the animal. He knew where to start. The postern. The back entrance was the only way out of the castle that would be hidden from easy sight of the guards. A perfect route for kidnapping. But one had to know where the postern was. He had discovered its whereabouts in the days he had been scouting Acquitaine before he became Aurora’s bodyguard… in case he needed to use it for an escape route. It was valuable knowledge for his mission. Had the guards already searched here?
He moved along the side of the wall, keeping close to the stones to shield himself from the rain, but also to keep his eyes clear of the falling rain so he could see any clue, no matter how small. He pulled the cloak up, moving the hood farther over his head. It was almost too dark to see. A torch would attract unwanted attention, but it would also be extinguished in this tedious rain.
Damien lifted his hand against the wall, sliding it carefully and slowly along the coarse stone surface. He knew the door was on the eastern side of the castle, facing the forest, an easy escape route not discernable to the naked eye. He moved slowly, closing his eyes to let his senses guide him. As soon as he did, he knew it was a mistake. Images of Aurora filled every corner of his mind. Her smile. Her blue eyes. Even the sound of her voice in the melodic way she said his name filled his head. Every sense craved her, hungry for her presence. Damien clenched his teeth, opening his eyes instantly. It would do no good to let the thoughts of her overwhelm him like that now.
He had to concentrate. He swept the wall with his hand, searching for the exit. It took three sweeps, but finally he found it. He ran his hand along the sides of the stone door. Nothing. Then he searched the bottom. His fingers passed over something wet and thick. He almost mistook it for a leaf or a piece of plant. His instincts told him to move back and examine it. He returned to it with his hands, moving his fingers over it. It was too thick to be a leaf. Too wet to be any plant.
Damien pried it loose from beneath the door. It was some kind of fabric. But what? It was too dark. He could not see the color. He stood and ran his thumb over the fabric. A chill shot down his back that had nothing to do with the rain. The fabric was soft. He felt the smoothness even though it was wet and ripped. Soft. Like Aurora’s skin.
He closed his eyes again, this time forcing himself to remember what she wore the night she went missing. The night he kissed her. The night he felt her flesh. At first, he could only remember her warmth in his hand. The memory of her kiss, sweet and hesitant, tingled his lips. He grit his teeth. What had she been wearing? And then he remembered.
Her eyes. Her dress was blue, like her eyes. He remembered touching it. Velvet.
Just like the material in his hand.
Damien whirled to stare at the forest. They came this way. Whoever took Aurora had brought her into the forest.
***
Damien brought Imp as far as he could into the forest before the brush became too thick to maneuver the horse. He tied Imp to a tree, left him some food, and headed deeper into the forest. It was difficult to find any trail. Lord Gabriel’s men had trampled much of the brush, ruining any chance of finding Aurora’s path. Damien lifted his stare to the sky. Rain still pelted him. The accursed rain would not let up. It was as if the very sky mourned her loss.
Damien grit his teeth and continued on, slowly searching the ground. He shook his head. It was so dark. No moon. No stars. He knew he would have to wait until morning to continue. The thought of leaving Aurora alone for another moment left him numb. Still, he could not see well. He might be passing important clues. Reluctantly, Damien turned and moved back to join Imp for the night.
***
He sat with Imp beneath a tree until the very beginning of morning turned the black sky into a gray, dreary one. The rain refused to cease. He rose and found the trail he left off at. He searched meticulously, scanning the ground and the bush for any sign, broken branches, more pieces of her dress, anything that might tell him where she was. And that she was safe.
He did not want to find blood. Or hair. That might mean she had been hurt. He quickly pushed the thought from his mind. But not quickly enough as an ache rose inside him so intense it left him paralyzed for a moment. This would not help Aurora. He clenched his jaw and examined the wet ground. Nothing. Nothing. With a sigh, he lifted his head. Was he heading in the right direction? He turned and saw the castle wall in the distance. He knew the postern was right there. Had they come directly across or had her captor taken her through a different route?
His instincts told him to go back. He always listened to his instincts. They never failed him. He returned to the outside edge of the forest, to the wooded boundary just before the castle, and began a slow sweep. He was moving away from the village, in the direction of the lake that bordered Castle Acquitaine, when he spotted something. It was small and buried beneath a wet, soggy leaf, just slightly the wrong shade of color to be from a tree. He bent and moved the leaf aside. Beneath it was a small piece of the same blue fabric he found at the doorway of the postern. He lifted his eyes to glare into the forest.
***
His cloak was soaked. Damien moved through the brush slowly, carefully lifting his feet and placing them back onto the wet leaves. He had grabbed some flasks to carry with him, then left Imp at the edge of the forest, knowing he could maneuver quicker by himself. The frantic feeling inside him grew. If he didn’t find her soon, she would die. He knew that with a chilling certainty.
He pushed the thought aside, his eyes searching the ground, moving over countless leaves, thousands of bushes and twigs. He looked up and glanced back at the castle. He could but glimpse a portion of it through the swaying branches of the trees. She had come this way. Her captor brought her out of the castle and through this forest, away from the village, toward the lake. Had he hurt her? Had he killed her?
There was no sign of blood. Only two ripped pieces of her dress.
Damien looked back through the forest. He wiped rain from his eyes and was about to move on when something fell heavily to the ground. He looked to his left and saw a dark piece of velvet. He bent to it and picked it up in his hand. It was so small it would have been easy to miss. Especially in this rain. It was no bigger than the size of a leaf. But three pieces? It was strange. Almost as if… it were a trail. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled and stood on end.
A trap? Did someone want him to follow her? Had they taken Aurora to get to him? Damien’s jaw set with resolve,
his dark eyes flashed fire. No matter. He would find Aurora. No matter what the cost.
***
Damien looked up at the sky. Drizzle splashed his eyes, making him blink against the annoying mist. The sun was low. He did not have a lot of time. Damien cursed silently. His fist closed over the seven pieces of Aurora’s dress he had found. He wanted to rush ahead. He had to find her. It took every ounce of his will power to move slowly, thoroughly. There was not much daylight left. He could not fail. It would mean Aurora’s death.
Damien’s stomach twisted tight. He closed his eyes, bowing his head, willing his emotions deep into his soul. He had no time for them. He had to be ruthless now. He had to become what he truly was. An assassin tracking his prey.
Damien moved forward, through the forest. He rounded a small rise slowly, moving carefully, his gaze on the ground, scanning, constantly scanning and searching. He could not afford to miss a thing.
He lifted his arm and his gaze to brush aside a stray branch, and froze.
Ahead of him, a wall of rock blocked his way. Trees and ivy and bushes covered the wall. He must have somehow gone off the path. He cursed, knowing this one mistake could cost Aurora her life.
Damien turned, but at that moment a ray of sunlight escaped through the clouds and shone brightly on the wall of rock. He paused. Something tingled up his spine. A warning. He whirled back to the wall. His gaze scanned it quickly, desperately.
Thick shadows lined the wall from the trees around it. A leaf fell from one of the trees and Damien watched as a small gust of wind twirled it around and around. It flew toward the rock wall and then disappeared.
The darkness at that point was deep. There were no shadows behind the bushes and trees before the wall.
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