“Sigil, are you all right?”
He realized he’d drifted to a stop halfway between the keep and the gate. He carefully schooled his features before turning to face Lady Merewen and her two companions.
“I’m fine, my lady.” He gestured toward the gate. “The guard on duty spotted one of Sir Averel’s dogs headed this way. I was just waiting to learn what news he has brought.”
Merewen looked relieved. “Whatever the tidings, Gideon will be glad to finally hear something from Averel and Kane. The waiting has been hard on the rest of us, but him most of all.”
They reached the gate just as the enormous black beast came trotting in. It immediately dropped to the ground at Gideon’s feet, panting hard with its tongue hanging out of its mouth.
Lady Lavinia stared at the animal in obvious shock. “What kind of dog is that? I’ve never seen another like it.”
“Few have,” Sigil answered with a smile. “It’s one of a pair of battle dogs owned by another of the Damned. They are Sir Averel’s avatars, much like Duncan’s owl and Murdoch’s mountain cat.”
He noticed Lavinia flinched at his use of the word Murdoch and his four friends used to describe themselves. It was a reminder that her lover had been marked by the gods themselves, his life in their hands. It had taken Sigil himself a while to get used to the idea of men who measured their lives in centuries rather than years.
The deep rumble of Murdoch’s voice caught his attention. “What does the note say? How do they fare?”
Gideon held up his hand as he read the paper that had been hidden in the dog’s collar. “Averel found a position as a troubadour in a tavern in the city. He says the people speak in whispers of a terror that stalks the land, but no one dares criticize the duke openly.”
He drew a sharp breath and looked up at Murdoch, obviously shocked at what came next. “It’s Kane. I’m not sure if he’s brilliant or if he’s taken leave of his senses.”
Merewen shifted closer to Gideon. “What’s he done? Is he in danger?”
“He was fine when Averel sent this note. It seems that Kane was successful in finding a position with the duke’s guard.”
Gideon’s cryptic remarks had them all leaning forward, trying to see for themselves what was written on the paper that had him so flustered. Murdoch snatched it from his hands and read it for himself.
When he was done, his face mirrored the same stunned look as Gideon’s. “Kane is the new captain of the duke’s personal guard. How did that happen?”
Gideon moved on to the second page of Averel’s missive. “It seems Keirthan evaluates all of the men who are hired as guards. When he spotted Kane’s mage mark, he took a personal interest in him.”
Lavinia paled. “Your friend is mage-marked?”
Duncan spoke for the first time. “Yes. Kane’s grandfather was a powerful mage, and his magic marked Kane while he was yet a babe in his mother’s womb.”
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if she were suddenly chilled. “Gideon, I understand why you want to spy on Ifre, but do you think it’s wise to put a man with such power within his grasp?”
Now they were all frowning at her. It was easy to forget how little the Damned understood about the art of magic. It was Gideon who answered her query. “It is but a mark, Lady Lavinia, nothing more. Kane has no more love for magic than I do. He rejected his heritage long before I ever met him.”
Sigil shook his head and found himself responding. “That wouldn’t matter, Gideon. Mage marks are exceedingly rare nowadays, but my personal tutor spoke of them at length. Although Kane has not used his gift, it is still there. Picture Kane’s magic as a pool of water that doesn’t move and serves no purpose.”
He felt the weight of everyone’s stares as he continued. “But then a miller comes along to build his waterwheel and sets the water free to turn it, unlocking its potential. A mage with no scruples would have little trouble in releasing Kane’s magic, with his cooperation or without it.”
“And you know this how?”
Sigil realized the three warriors now surrounded him, crowding close. While they hadn’t yet gone for their weapons, he suspected it wouldn’t take much to stir them into action. Foolish him. He’d forgotten that he was still a prisoner under a sentence of death. Because of his memory loss, his execution had been postponed, not canceled.
He ignored Gideon and Duncan, choosing instead to face Murdoch. “I’m not sure. The words just came, although I have no doubt that what I said was true.”
The big man now looked more worried than angry. “Your memories are returning.”
It wasn’t a question, but Sigil answered anyway. “No. At least no more than what I just said and that my rank might have been captain. Otherwise, my life still began the morning I awoke four days after the battle.”
He finally looked toward Gideon. “I swear this on my honor.”
To his relief, the captain nodded. “I believe you. If you remember anything else, especially about magic, tell me immediately. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Captain.”
Gideon stared at him for another few seconds before nodding, accepting his promise. That settled, Sigil was only too happy to steer the conversation back to the problem at hand.
“Lady Lavinia, do you agree with my analogy about Kane’s magic?”
“Yes, I do.” She was clearly unhappy to be the bearer of such dark news. “I understand the benefit of having a spy in the enemy camp, Captain Gideon, but I would not leave him there one second more than absolutely necessary. The longer your friend remains, the greater the chance that Ifre will attempt to subvert Kane’s magic to his own needs.”
“Thank you for your advice, my lady. I will send word of your concerns to Kane. The dog will need to rest at least until tomorrow before returning to his master.”
Sigil needed some space to breathe now that the focus was off him. “I’ll take the dog and get him some food and water.”
“Thank you, Sigil. Meanwhile, Averel also included approximate numbers of the duke’s forces. Now we can start making plans about how best to counter them with the troops we hope to have at our command.”
The three ladies excused themselves and headed toward the garden as Sigil led the dog toward the stable. Before disappearing inside, he risked a look back toward the gate. Just as he feared, the Damned were staring in his direction, their expressions grim. While his past could be measured in but a few weeks, it seemed likely his future would be counted in days.
If so, all he could do was proceed as he had, trying to atone for the wrongs he couldn’t even remember. He patted the dog on the head. “Come on, boy. Let’s get you taken care of.”
* * *
Even knowing it was likely too soon, Kane had stopped at Averel’s tavern to see if the dog had returned from Lady Merewen’s keep. Averel’s avatars were coursers, but even one of them would have trouble traveling such distance that quickly. The dog could do so if necessary, but the effort would leave the animal weakened for days to come.
Already in the middle of a performance, Averel had answered Kane’s unspoken question with a quick shake of his head. Kane had lingered long enough for a drink and to listen to a few songs to avoid drawing attention to himself by leaving too soon. On his way back to the keep, he saw few people out and about.
Even the taverns seemed quiet, as if most of the locals were staying home tonight. No doubt they thought they were safer that way. Perhaps they were. Kane knew in his bones that Keirthan continued to practice his dark arts, even though he didn’t appear to prey on the townspeople.
So where was he getting his victims, and who was helping him? There was no way Keirthan was working entirely on his own. If Kane found out who his accomplices were, he’d do what he could to thin their numbers before he and Averel left to rejoin Gideon and the others.
Logic said Keirthan was using servants for his predations, but the steady supply of new ones had to be coming from somewhere. If not from the c
ity, one or more of the nobles had to be furnishing them, the shortsighted bastards. What had the duke promised them for betraying their own people? Did they not realize that eventually Keirthan would turn on them, too? He was not the kind of man who was willing to share his power. Anyone strong enough to stand beside him would be seen as a potential rival, not an ally.
But troubling thoughts of the enemy were not the only reason that had Kane wandering the streets at such a late hour. Lady Theda’s image haunted his every step. Did she think he hadn’t felt the weight of her gaze following him each time their paths had crossed over the past few days?
She had questions about him, ones he had no desire to answer. He had other desires, though, ones that were inappropriate for a mere captain of the guard to be having for the widow of a duke.
And wouldn’t Gideon have a good laugh over that idea? Especially after the way Kane had questioned the wisdom of his friend and leader sharing the bed of the woman they were both sworn to protect. The goddess herself had condoned the pairing, but that didn’t mean she’d given all of the Damned free rein in such matters.
Regardless, his mission here was meant to be short-lived. Theda was not the sort of woman a man of honor would dally with, but the temptation was there. Rare was the person who didn’t react to Kane’s pale eyes and mage mark without flinching. Instead, Theda had treated him as a potential ally, even daring to touch him without fear.
The memory of the gentle brush of her fingertips against his skin remained sharp and clear even days later. It left him hungering for more of the same, which was insanity. So far he’d managed to control the urge to seek her out, but at night nothing kept his dreams of her at bay.
When he’d returned Lady Margaret to her mistress, Theda’s hair had been down, tumbling in dark waves nearly the full length of her elegant back. He could only imagine what it would be like to have that dark silk spilled across his pillow, its scent filling his senses. He’d tangle his fingers in it as she whispered sweet words to him.
But unfortunately, it was a masculine voice speaking to him now. “Captain Kane? Is everything all right?”
He looked up, just then realizing that he’d reached the door of the keep. How long had he been standing there lost in a dream world?
“I’m sorry, Corporal. Did you ask me something?”
“Sergeant Markus asked me to let you know that he’d been called into town on business. He’ll return before first light.”
Meaning the sergeant and his friends were spending the night carousing in one of their favorite taverns in town. That was fine with Kane, although it might make weapons practice tough for them. He might even make sure of it.
On the other hand, the sergeant’s absence made it that much safer for Kane to wander the halls of the keep without worrying about Markus spying on him.
“Thank you for relaying the message, Loman.”
When he realized the young man was standing guard by himself, he asked, “Where’s your partner?”
The youth swallowed hard. “He took sick, sir. Everything is quiet, so he thought it would be all right if he left an hour early.”
He did, did he?
“Who was it? I need to know if he has something catching.”
Loman clearly didn’t want to answer, but he also knew he had no choice. “It was Gart, sir. He did look poorly.”
Hungover again was more likely, but that was hardly Loman’s fault. “How much longer until your relief is due?”
The guard’s expression lightened as he looked past Kane. “They be here now, sir.”
“That’s good. Give them your report and then get some rest.”
He clapped the young man on the shoulder and entered the keep. Inside, all appeared to be quiet, although not everyone had retired for the night. Servants clustered near the edges of the room, no doubt waiting for the few remaining nobles to seek out their beds so they could turn in for the night themselves.
He nodded at them as he passed by, ignoring the few who flicked their fingers in a pattern meant to ward off evil. Ironic that they felt that way toward the one man in the keep who was there to try to save them. He’d lived with such prejudice his entire life; most of the time he shrugged off their ignorant behavior.
But some nights, like this one, it still stung.
He continued on his tour of the hall before turning down the passage that would lead him toward the side door, which was normally kept barred after dark. A servant slept on a pallet nearby to open it if necessary.
Unusual to find it unlocked and the pallet empty. Yet another weakness in the duke’s defenses. Or perhaps not. The servant, armed with a large cudgel, stepped out of the darkness behind him. As soon as he recognized Kane, he lowered his weapon back to his side.
Kane turned to face him, nodding toward the cudgel. “I was worried that the door was undefended, but I see I was wrong. What’s your name?”
The servant patted his free hand with the cudgel. “Tom, sir. I’m waiting up for someone to return. No one gets by me.”
Kane grinned in approval. “I believe that. I’ll leave you to it.”
He stepped out into the darkness, relieved to leave the heavy atmosphere of Keirthan’s keep behind him for the moment. Tom hadn’t mentioned whom he was waiting for; most probably one of the maids had slipped out to spend time with a beau.
Just in case, though, perhaps he would take a stroll through the garden and listen for the mystery person’s return. He looked around. The night was still. Maybe it was safe enough to let Hob out for a while. The poor beast had been confined far too much lately.
Before Kane could return to his quarters to release the gargoyle, he caught a faint sound on the night’s air and froze. Someone else prowled the paths that wound through the garden. He remained in the deep shadows under the trees as he studied the area. There, across the way, he caught a hint of movement.
Kane reached out with his senses, detecting a single heartbeat and the slow breath of someone strolling carefully in the darkness, most likely because he lacked Kane’s enhanced night vision. The intruder was on the far side of the small clearing and heading in Kane’s direction. Any movement on his part now would only draw unwanted attention.
A few seconds later, the unknown person left the shelter of the trees; the moon overhead bathed the clearing in its silvery light, revealing her identity at last. There was no mistaking Lady Theda despite the cloak she wore. Still oblivious to his presence, she stopped in the center of the clearing to push back her hood and smile up at the starlit sky.
Kane could have no more walked away at that moment than he could have quit breathing. The lady obviously had no fear of the night, not with that expression of simple pleasure on her striking face.
He must have made a noise because she gasped and looked right in his direction. “Who goes there?”
If he left without identifying himself, it would only frighten her more. He joined her in the light.
“Kane, my lady. I apologize for startling you. I only sought to enjoy the night air and didn’t realize you were out here, too.” He bowed his head slightly. “I will leave you to your walk.”
She moved closer. “Please don’t. Surely this garden is big enough for two. I wouldn’t mind some company.”
The poor woman must be desperate if she had to settle for him. He looked past her, not sensing the presence of anyone else nearby. “Where are your ladies?”
“I sent them to bed. They would be most distraught to find out sometimes I walk at night without them. I love them dearly, but at times their need to hover over me is a bit trying.” She gave him a conspiratorial smile. “Please don’t tell them I said that. It would hurt their feelings, and they mean well.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
Theda stared up at him in the moonlight. “Shall we walk together?”
Kane offered her his arm, not sure she would accept it. But her hand immediately settled in the crook of his elbow with an ease that pleased him.
He let her decide the direction of both their steps and their conversation. When she began pointing out some of her favorite flowers, he dredged up centuries-old stories from the times he assisted his mother in her herb garden. He shared one particularly vivid memory of when he’d mistaken one of her rare plants for a patch of weeds and pulled them all out by the roots. It had taken him hours to replant them all.
He liked that Theda found his story amusing, knowing how few reasons she had for smiling these days. He hoped that Tom didn’t mind staying up for a while yet because Kane was in no hurry to return Theda to the keep. As he finished one tale, he launched into another.
* * *
Strolling in the night with the captain of the guard was scandalous, but Theda didn’t care. Her reputation was no longer of any concern to her. The need for such worries had ended the day Armel died and his brother’s reign of terror had begun. Besides, she liked Kane.
More than liked him, in truth. It had been a long time since she’d felt the stirrings of attraction for a man, but they were definitely simmering now. Perhaps it was the intoxicating scent of the flowers perfuming the night air that made her so daring.
Soon, her official period of mourning would end, and Ifre would auction her off like a prize horse. Once that happened, she would be at the mercy of whoever offered him the highest price.
“It grows late, my lady. I should return you to the hall. I’m sure your friend Tom will worry if you stay gone much longer.” Kane sounded genuinely concerned about her.
She spied one of the clusters of benches that were scattered about the garden. “Would you mind if we sat for a few moments? Then I promise I will go inside.”
He led her over to the nearest one and spread his cloak on the seat, which was damp from the dew. His courtly behavior seemed second nature to him, which made her wonder again how he’d come to be a mercenary. Despite the tales he’d shared with her, his past remained shadowed in mystery.
The bench was long enough for the two of them, but only just. The warmth of Kane’s body seeped across the small space between them, making her want to curl in to his strength and let him hold the true darkness in her life at bay.
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