Stormy Peril

by Victoria Pinder

  This was it. He was about to throw her. Decapitate her.

  Then Harry tossed her outward, not up. She landed on all fours on the stone floor. She squeezed her eyes shut, and absorbed the stones under the palms of her hands. Alive. Saved by Harry, again.

  Raphael's hands brushed against her back. “Are you okay?”

  She crawled away from him too. “Don’t touch me.”

  Kimberly turned around and realized Raphael still had his rifle aimed at the helicopter. To stop it? When would this be over? She blocked her ears.

  The pop of his rifle echoed, and something hard hit the ground next to her. The helicopter left the platform. Adrenaline coursed through her. Was she next? She peeked up and saw black smoke coming from the helicopter. Raphael must have hit it, but now the helicopter wobbled in the air. “Meet me in the library, Kimberly.”

  “I need to go to my room.”

  Raphael stepped back and yelled something else at her. She had no idea what he said, but he gestured for her to get up. Her body trembled, but she stood. Raphael pointed her to the stairs. She nodded, then ran back. She yelled, “See you there.”

  The castle was safe. She had the Taser in her princess room, and she’d use it to keep everyone away.

  Raphael stayed outside, and she heard the pop of his rifle again. Right now was her best chance to escape. She'd get her Taser and be ready in case anyone followed her to attack her again.

  She never should have explored without it. She raced back down the stairs and through the tunnel. She hoped this was some bad dream, and she'd wake up in her bed.

  No one was in the main castle. Her feet pounded into the hardwood floors as she ran down the stony halls. Her hands held her stomach.

  She'd get her things and camp if she had to. There was no way she was going into the dungeon, and she'd not face Raphael's girlfriend. She had no idea what to do except run.

  At her door, she flung it open and raced inside. She slammed the door behind her and found her bag.

  A winter alone here was too much. All she had was the cold plastic Taser for company, and she'd never let it go.

  CHAPTER 20

  In her bedroom, Kimberly clutched the Taser in her hand. No noises echoed in the gloomy hallway outside her door. Her suitcase was packed. What had happened? Nothing made sense. She sat down at the vanity to stare in the window. Then she placed the Taser on her lap, closed her eyes, listened to her heartbeat, formed the circles with her thumb and forefinger, and tried to mediate.

  Harry and Roger had taken off in the helicopter, which Raphael had shot down. She was stuck again. The only way out of the castle was if she hitched a ride with his girlfriend. Except that the helicopter was probably ruined. Where were Harry and Roger?

  She gritted her teeth and glanced at herself in the mirror. Nothing about her read peaceful. The thought that Raphael had a girlfriend burned in her brain. The fire inside grew despite her calming breaths. He had lied to her. He'd been her hero. She'd been a major sucker. He told her was unavailable. She should have listened. Now she'd never trust him or her own instincts ever again.

  She'd love to yell at him, though she should have known better. She paced the room. Where was he, anyhow? Had he blasted the helicopter out of the sky? Was he with the other woman? Kimberly pocketed her Taser, moved her suitcase next to the door, and then slipped out.

  She'd find him and tell Raphael what a jerk he was. She squared her shoulders and marched out into the empty halls. Perhaps the girlfriend didn’t care that he'd had her in his bed and would give her a ride. Her stomach clenched as she rounded the stairs to go find Raphael. After this, she'd spend the rest of the winter in her own wing and they could have a schedule for the kitchen until she found her way out of here. No more beliefs that happily-ever-after might be possible with some fantasy hero. She'd be focused on the real world and figuring out how to transform her blog into something that could help people spiritually. Perhaps she could open up a center for women who were done with love.

  She turned down the hall that led toward the library. The hall was chilly and she rubbed goose bumps from her arms and then slipped inside the open doors. She heard whispers. Near the fireplace and just out of sight, Raphael and the dark-haired woman sat together, speaking over one another and finishing each other's sentences. Kimberly's spine grew a layer of ice so thick it belonged in Antarctica. The woman said, "I can't believe they're dead."

  "Don't be sorry, not for them. They reaped what they sowed."

  Was Raphael talking about Ali and Eileen? Or was the discussion about Harry and Roger? Kimberly stopped by the L-shaped corner. Part of her didn't want to intrude any more into his life.

  Traces of anger remained in the woman’s voice and she spoke with an edge. "With this, though, no one investigates what happened to me."

  "You'll be fine. Even if your heart attack was caused by a poison, you survived."

  Poisoned? Was his girlfriend out of commission for a while and that was why he told her he was a bad guy? Tears threatened to burn Kimberly's eyes, but she refused to cry.

  "By luck." Her footsteps crossed the floor, like she paced. "If there hadn't been a doctor…"

  Raphael's heavier tread took a few steps, and then the woman's words trailed off as she sat her back down on the couch. Kimberly rubbed her arms and inched closer. They sat with their backs to her, and a table with huge candelabra blocked her view. Raphael leaned closer to the woman. Kimberly's belly churned. Were they kissing?

  Kimberly held her arms at her stomach, but stepped around the corner. She stared down at both of them. The fire crackled as she heard her own breaths. Raphael and the woman hugged.

  Kimberly tapped her foot. Raphael's green eyes met hers and he got to his feet. He held the woman's hand. "Kimberly, I want you to meet my sister, Michaela."

  Kimberly's mouth dropped. The churning stopped. Her face felt flushed. His sister? She took a step, but lost her balance and leaned against the wall. Her racing heart couldn’t quite take in what had happened.

  Raphael took her arm. "Mica, this is Kimberly Mira."

  "Mira?" his sister asked. "Are you related to Erica?"

  "My sister." Kimberly nodded. Lightheaded, she tried to make sense of what was happening. Everyone seemed to know her family except her. She couldn't look at Mica, and stared into Raphael's green eyes, not able to ignore his touch as he placed his hand on her back. "Raphael, what happened to Roger and Harry?"

  He nodded at her. "As you saw, they tried to steal Mica's helicopter, but I shot it down. I doubt they survived the crash."

  This was all she could focus on right now. He had lied to her that Roger was dead. She needed facts. She kept her arms crossed to keep her distance as he encouraged her silently to sit next to Mica. She plopped down with a foot between them as she directed her question to Raphael. "Then why aren't we outside to go find it?"

  "What if they’re alive?" Michaela answered. "It's smarter to form a defensive plan."

  Once this was over, she needed a long mediation session where no one bothered her. Kimberly gazed into the woman's brown eyes. They were shaped like Raphael's. Their noses were similar, though Mica's was much more ladylike, and with her own helicopter she was probably a lone wolf like her brother. "Did anybody know you came here? Will they be looking for you?"

  "I filed my flight plan." Michaela nodded. "I also had a recorder and an emergency button. The coast guard should be here soon."

  Kimberly's heart lifted. Rescue! "Before or after Roger and Harry find us?"

  “They should be dead. But if they aren’t?” Raphael's voice boomed, and both women grew silent. "I can’t allow either man to be rescued."

  Kimberly glanced at him, and her body stilled. "Why?"

  "Those are the men who poisoned me." Michaela reached across to Kimberly and offered her a small smile. "Rafe believed me at death's door last month. I came here to bring my brother home with me for the winter."

  Raphael seemed determined to stay here,
but it was good to see he had family that cared. "How were you poisoned?"

  "At my engagement party. Where it was announced my groom married Raphael's fiancée an hour earlier." Mica's nose curled like she was a princess. "Someone thought I influenced Prince Ali, and poisoned me instead."

  "Ali?" Kimberly glanced at Raphael, her heart aching. No wonder he had all those comments about her friend. He knew her. Was going to marry her. "As in Ali and Eileen?"

  Raphael paced in front of the fire. He clearly didn't wish to discuss this. "Ali intended to tell the doctors exactly what the assassins from his country used to poison my sister. He didn’t want to imply anything someone might read in an email."

  Kimberly didn’t understand. Roger and Harry wanted to kill them all to keep a certain type of poison secret? "You don't know what kind?"

  "Not exactly," Michaela answered. "There are government-laboratory-created poisons. If the drug was to simulate a heart attack only, then I'll be fine. But my doctors are concerned that since we don’t know the source, my life is at risk."

  Kimberly couldn't quite focus on what Michaela and Raphael had told her. Her mind felt numb. “Were Harry and Roger from Ali’s country?”

  Raphael sat straighter, and his green eyes held a blaze in them. “Yes, they were assassins. I don't understand why you were there."

  Kimberly crossed her arms. She stood to ensure he heard every word. On this topic, she had clarity. "Harry had saved my life on the plane. I was shocked to find him in the dungeon.” She had felt betrayed with who she thought was another woman too, but she’d not say that. She lifted her chin. “I believed every word he said to me, that you'd locked him in the dungeon. Why wouldn't I? You were both my heroes, or so I thought."

  Raphael's scrutiny was intense as his broad shoulders tightened. "Why were you there?"

  "Is there something going on between you two that I don't know?" Michaela's question interrupted their stare-down, piercing the heaviness in the room.

  Raphael snapped, "Yes."

  At the same time, Kimberly shook her head. "No."

  Michaela covered her lips, and Kimberly was sure she covered a smile. Mica asked, "Which is it?"

  Raphael had never said they were in any relationship. In fact, he’d clearly not wanted one. Had he changed his mind? Kimberly shuffled on her feet and then said, "It’s clearly complicated."

  Again at the same time, Raphael tightened his shoulders and said, "No."

  "Oh, this is clear now." Michaela pointed at both of them. "Do Gabriel or Erica know you two are spending the winter together, alone in the Haunted Keep?"

  Raphael turned to his sister. "We're not alone."

  "I just showed up." His sister tilted her head. "You do like Kimberly."

  Kimberly stepped away. She didn't understand either of them, and she hadn't thought about Erica's permission at all. Her own sister had every reason to hate her for leaving the house at age eighteen.

  Michaela then turned to her. "If my brother did something stupid and you're mad at him, forgive him. He's been hurt a lot in the past and sometimes he's over the top. He always means well." Michaela finished with a huge cough.

  Raphael jumped into his former seat and placed his hand on his sister's back. Kimberly watched her face go white and knelt beside her. "Are you okay?"

  "I think so." Michaela nodded, though she seemed weak. "I'll need my medicine."

  "Where is it?" Kimberly took her hand and tried to calm the woman's trembles. Raphael's sister and her helicopter meant they'd all go home soon. "Let me help."

  Michaela gazed past Kimberly to Raphael. "My bag was in the helicopter."

  The shot-down, full-of-men-who-wanted-to-kill-them helicopter. Her skin felt clammy. They’d have to go get it.

  He towered over both of them as his huge muscles blocked any view of the room. "I'll get it."

  "No." Michaela tried to stand up, but she almost collapsed. Kimberly helped her sit down as Mica said, "Raphael, don't search out trouble. We need a plan."

  "You need your medicine." His muscles flexed, though his shoulders stayed tense. "I didn't start this war, but I got this."

  War? “What are you talking about? The two men who killed Ali and Eileen also tried to kill me and your sister. I get it, but this isn't a war. You are one man. Raphael, don’t run off to confront anyone alone. My Taser can shoot close up."

  The words flew out of her mouth as if she was sure of everything. Her mind was still unclear on so many details, but he couldn’t risk himself, not again. "The defensive plan sounds reasonable. Make them come to us."

  “No.” He shook his head and took a step backward. "Besides, they are probably dead. I've wasted too much time already."

  There was no stopping him. Kimberly remembered her first few days here, realizing he had his own code of honor. She nodded. "We'll talk when you get back."

  "No." His sister stood up but her balance was off. Kimberly rose to ensure Mica didn't fall, taking her hand. Michaela wobbled. "Stop, Rafe."

  Raphael kept his pace and walked out of the library. “I’ll be back.” Then he slammed the door.

  Michaela shook her head. She sank down to the couch as she squeezed Kimberly's hand. "If you care about my brother, stop him. Despite all his testosterone nonsense, he's still mortal."

  "He’s tracked down and captured both of them before." Kimberly swallowed, but her stomach hardened. This time Roger and Harry would be together and know Raphael's strength. She hoped they were both dead from the crash, but then a chill raced down her spine. One of her hands let her fingers form a circle. Spiritually that had to be bad, so she amended her prayer for injured.

  His sister said, "His vengeance will get him killed."

  There was no way Michaela could go without her medications. "You can't follow him. You're weak."

  "No, but you can. Kimberly, don't let him go. I can't lose my brother over my own mistakes."

  Kimberly nodded. "Will you be okay if I go?"

  "I'll stay right here. Run."

  Kimberly rubbed Michaela's arm to soothe her, and then followed her advice. Now was not the time for Raphael to go alone. She ran down the darkened halls. The candelabrum’s flames followed her as she rushed past. At the end of the hallway, she had two choices for blackened corridors. Her chest heaved as she caught her breath. Which way had he gone? She turned and went to the corridor with the door she knew.

  Darkness didn't creep her out anymore. All that mattered was him. At the rack, she grabbed a jacket and froze. Raphael's coat was still here. He might have gone a different way. He'd likely have more than one jacket, so it might not matter. Her gut churned, as if she'd missed something. Then she narrowed her eyes. He had wired his entire house with sensors. He'd have cameras or something else on the door too. She smiled, picked up the pink jacket instead, and said into the camera, "Gotta get dressed and go outside to find Raphael. I hope I find him and not Harry and Roger."

  No footsteps in the hall. She reached out and found the pink hat and gloves. She announced to the closet, "Raphael needs me with him, even if he doesn't know it."

  She unlocked the door and made a huge dramatic movement out of it. As she finished and opened the door, Raphael's hand appeared to push the door closed. His green eyes were in pain as he said, "I need you to stay home."

  Bingo. She knew him. Her heart pattered, but she stayed silent. Then she schooled her smile and turned around. Raphael stood with his legs in a wide stance and his arms crossed. Like his sister earlier, she tilted her head and said calmly, "I can't let you leave. It's a bad idea. They know you now. It's better to let the authorities come and handle the situation."

  He shifted the weight of his feet. "She needs her medication. What if they don't come in time?"

  She lifted her chin. "They will."

  He shook his head. "I don't have your optimism."

  He needed to understand he didn't have to take care of everything. The authorities were on their way. She reached out to brush his arm, b
ut he tensed his muscles and didn't move. "It's why you like me."

  He angled his body away from her. "Stop. Kimberly, you of all people have to understand why I must go."

  If Erica was in trouble, she'd do whatever she could to save her. She took a step forward and refused to let him leave. She had so many unanswered questions. "Your sister is weak, but she flew here to bring you home. Did Eileen break your heart? Is that why you locked yourself away? Or was it Tiffany? I'm getting your past all confused."

  He crossed his arms, like it was a shield. "Neither. I don't want to talk about it now, or ever."

  Her arms became glued to her side. She jumped to stand in front of the door and refused to mimic his behavior. "You have all this high-tech stuff in your house, but no communication to the outside world. There is something going on, and it's bigger than my crash."

  He turned away from her and seemed like he'd go a different path in the house. "My sister needs her medication."

  She spun on her heels and stayed in front of him. He'd not leave, not now. "And you owe me the truth."

  He shook his head. "Now isn't a good time."

  Perhaps he was right. She'd have to get him to be reasonable. If he was calm and levelheaded, he might have a chance out there. "When is it a good time? Your sister wants you to stay. She's here. She's alive, so stop stalling and tell me."

  He closed his eyes and glanced past her toward the hall. She'd twist again to ensure he'd stay. There was so much she didn't know. "I have communication lines, but I'm on a blackout."

  Her mouth fell open. "What the hell does that mean?"

  He took a step closer to her, and this time she stepped back. "It means I'm on a mission. First you, and now my sister, have compromised me."

  That sounded more like a conspiracy theory from some of her blog followers. She waved her hands in the air. "What mission? What are you doing here?"

  He stood still. "Protecting my country."