Glazier

by Bri Clark

  “Mrs. Stryker, how was your time at the stables today with Mrs. Rathbone?” he asked. Everyone waited for her reply. I could see Collin’s body stiffen. He looked exactly like Henry. Shae swallowed her water in one gulp wiped her mouth and smiled, the picture of calm.

  “Marvelous! We had a wonderful time. You have the pride of Arabian Horses down there.” She beamed.

  “Did you two get a chance to ride?”

  “No, we just admired.” She was cool and sweet. I admired her even more.

  “Before you leave, please make sure you two get some riding in. I am too busy to exercise them all myself. I will tell the hands to expect you two,” he practically ordered us.

  She responded, unscathed, “Thank you so much Ambassador.” Henry and Collin shared a look of dismay.

  “Mrs. Rathbone, did you see any particular horse you were interested in?” Abbass asked a half smirk adorning his lips while a dark brow arched in question. Sensing he was up to something, I proceeded with caution.

  “They were all lovely. However I rather admired the dark black one.”

  “Which one was that?” The smirk was full on his face. I knew he wasn’t going to let this drop. Shae cast me a warning glance before I looked back at Abbass. Unsure of what else I could do, I chose the simple truth. He obviously already knew it anyway.

  “Iceberg,” I answered. Silverware dropped on plates with surprised gasps to accompany the orchestra. It was so funny how the name of a horse could cause so much of a reaction. Abbass ignored them.

  “Yes, I heard as much. My stable hand said that my horse took a peculiar liking to you.” He didn’t sound angry or hateful. Actually, he sounded intrigued. The silence made the air heavy. With all eyes on me, I felt overwhelmed. Glazier stirred. Henry, my perpetual savior did just what he always does.

  “My wife has always had a gift of patience with animals,” he answered for me, holding my hand under the table.

  Abbass continued, unperturbed. “I will have to see that for myself. I have had that horse for a year now and have not once been able to touch him. I would consider it a personal favor if Mrs. Rathbone could help me with this little challenge.” He directed his words to Henry but his eyes still never left me. I found it interesting how he gave the illusion that he was giving us a choice, when in reality, he was issuing a command.

  “We shall see,” Henry offered. Before anything else could be said the clock in the dining room began its chiming, signaling the end of dinner. We all arose as Abbass and his wife took their leave. Collin had his arm around Shae’s waist and she looked up at him. As Henry settled in to walk next to me, he slid his arm around my waist, mimicking Collin. I looked up at him, thinking we might share the same nonverbal communication of our companions, but his eyes looked straight ahead.

  I heard Collin and Henry say their good nights, and I waved at Shae. She replied with a shaky smile. I could sense she was upset but I didn’t know why. That bothered me more than the confrontation with Abbass.

  Henry and I did not talk again until we were in our suite. I went into the closet to change. Remembering how the evening had started, I was sad that in a matter of hours, it went from bright and cheery to dismal and gray. I found a silk nightgown in the suitcase and put it on, grateful for the cool material on my skin. The stress of dinner made my muscles tight and sore. I was looking forward to lying in Henry’s embrace.

  When I emerged from the closet, I found Henry dressed all in black. My heart dropped. He was going to scout. I didn’t want him to leave. He hadn’t said one word to me since dinner. Nevertheless, I didn’t try to stop him. We were here for a reason and we had not accomplished anything yet. On prior missions, we would have been finished and back to the base by now. I had to admit being undercover, playing up the charade was time consuming, and beginning to wear on my nerves, I yawned. Apparently it was tiring as well. Crawling into bed, I yawned again. Henry came over and sat on the side, the bed dipping under his weight. He pulled the covers up over my shoulders and kissed my forehead.

  “Sleep, Love, I’m just going to do some scouting. You need to stay put. You’re exhausted. I’ll be back before dawn.” He whispered goodnight and disappeared off the balcony. My eyelids flew open.

  “Dawn!” I said to the dark. How was I supposed to sleep while he was out doing our job? How could I sleep knowing he could be in danger? How could he even expect me to sleep? I toyed with the idea of doing my own scouting.

  If I knew Henry, he would go to all the areas they had forbid the men to enter first. Abbass was arrogant; he would hide something out in the open, right under someone’s nose. If I went out and did my own scouting, then we would get twice as much done and maybe he would stay in with me tomorrow. Besides, with the way he was acting, it seemed he wasn’t going to let me do anything the entire mission.

  Standard running gear would be the best attire. If I was caught, I could always say I was just out jogging again. One of the things that Henry had taught me from the beginning was that the spy world was predominantly male and therefore arrogant and unsuspecting when it came to female spies. Heading out for my run, I almost tripped over Hagar sitting on the floor outside our room. She leaned heavily against an armoire. Pulling a blanket from the linen closet in our bathroom I headed back out covering her up before I left.

  When I was a good distance from the house, I did a sweep to sense if I was alone. Confident I was, I shook out my arms and stretched my legs then took off at top speed. It felt like shaking off the weight of the stress work had caused. I hadn’t trained or sparred in days, yet I wasn’t out of shape.

  As I approached the stables, I sensed a presence. Unwilling to give up my freedom I jumped on a low branch and climbed up a large tree perching on a limb. My heart was a delicious race, and I could imagine Glazier purring within me like a cat enjoying a head-to-tail stretch.

  Waiting for the company I sensed to emerge, I stilled my breath. One of Abbass’s guards was walking around the stables, muttering something in Arabic, complaining. Who would want stupid horses? He checked the locks on the doors before leaving. Assuming I was safe for the time being, I jumped across a couple of limbs and landed with light steps on the roof. One of the stallions neighed.

  Using the stealth Glazier imparted me I crept across the roof, entered the barn via the hayloft, and slid down the ladder close to Iceberg’s stall. He was standing at the door, as if waiting on me. I noticed the other horses all slept. He must have been the one who whinnied. I approached him slowly with my hand out. He shook his head impatiently, putting his head down so I could scratch his ears.

  Cooing to him in the Egyptian he appeared to love, I rubbed his nose and neck. His muscles relaxed the instant I touched him. I could feel the gentle hum of his pulse under my hand. It was so relaxing. Unhappy with the name Iceberg, I shortened it to Berg. He seemed to like it. Revealing all my fears in the language that he and I shared was a relief I needed. Lost in the serenity of animal companionship, I only knew something was amiss when Berg tensed beneath my touch. Two men spoke rapid-fire Arabic as they approached, one was Abbass. I assessed my escape options. Only there were none; I didn’t have time to escape. I looked at the loft and then my eyes met Berg’s. He moved back from the stall door. I jumped over the side and crouched in the corner as far from the door as possible.

  Suddenly Berg came over stopping right in front of me and as if reading my mind, bent all four of his knees under and sat down pinning me between his massive body and the wall. I was too stupefied to be scared. I just couldn’t comprehend this sweet horse being anything close to what everyone else described.

  Hearing the footsteps approach, I made myself as small as possible. Abbass was barking out orders to the other man in Arabic. I made a mental note to mention to Henry that his guards spoke Arabic and his servants spoke Egyptian. Unable to hear everything being said, I heard something about Abbass’s office, and then a lot of cursing. Then footsteps took off fast.

  I was going to get u
p, but Berg’s ear flicked. Then I heard Abbass just outside the stall talking to Berg. He spoke in Egyptian now.

  “Hello, my prize.”

  Berg snorted. He beckoned Berg to come over, offering him an apple. Berg stayed in place. He kept waving the apple. Berg never moved, and finally Abbass threw the apple and Berg caught it in his mouth and ate it. Abbass chuckled darkly.

  “You truly are my prize. I know why my ancestors chose to take you into war. You may have even pulled the Pharaoh’s chariot at one time. You are proud, intelligent, and beautiful. I have been patient. I will continue, for now. I hear you have met my next treasure,” he offered, and Berg snorted.

  “That’s, right. I knew you would know of whom I speak. You are very clever. She’s bewitched you as well, hasn’t she? I will capture her as I did you. I will just have to do away with her guardian first,” Abbass’s voice became menacing and dark. “He thinks he is powerful, but I will show him power. I am Abbass.” Berg whined defiantly. Abbass gave a maniacal laugh as a response, then he left.

  I don’t know how long I sat there shaking. Berg never left my side. He rubbed his nose against my cheek when I let out an occasional whimper. Berg whickered softly. I couldn’t process it. I understood now what Shae’s warning meant. He would give you no choice. He would hurt Henry, or worse kill him. Berg brought me some comfort, and I finally stood up, more for Berg than for myself. I was making him upset.

  As strange as it was for a horse to care that I was upset.

  Berg got up to make room for me. I did a sweep to sense if anyone was near. Exhausted and desperate for rest, I patted Berg’s neck. He let out another whicker, and I pressed my forehead to his muzzle before I left. Creeping up the ladder and out onto the roof, I still had the cover of darkness. Too tired to run, I jumped silently from tree to tree then slid down a trunk near the front door. It was dark in the house. I was almost to the room when my legs gave out. Something soft fell across my shoulder, a warm blanket possibly then something or someone moved under my arm. I looked down and saw Hagar. She bore the burden of my weight without complaint, patiently walking me to our door where she tapped gently. The door flew open before she knocked a second time. It was Henry. He picked me up bridal style then began talking to Hagar, thanking her for looking out for me. She nodded and went back to her station, watching me carefully. He hugged me to his body. I could sense his relief.

  “Are you all right, Love?”

  Raising my head to answer, I yawned instead. As he exhaled, I felt the tense muscles of his body relax only to become strained again. I sensed how miffed he was. It just made me even more tired. He took me in the bathroom, still holding me in one arm. Bath water flowed, and I began to protest, but he shushed me.

  “Sorry Love, you need a bath, you smell like a ruddy barn. So I can feel confident in assuming you were down at the stables.”

  I mumbled something incoherent, and he sighed.

  “Not now, Love, it can wait. You should sleep.”

  One minute I was, warm and relaxed the next I was in the depths of darkness.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Marie

  In their suite at the compound

  The first time I awoke, I could hear a man and a woman’s hushed tones. The cloak of darkness pressed down on me. I tried to open my eyes but to no avail. Then the deep bass of my savior penetrated the blanket. His voice brought me comfort until I heard how upset he was. I wanted to comfort him.

  However, I couldn’t make my lips move. The more I tried to speak the more tired I became until finally the darkness won. The second time I woke, I heard a soft voice speaking in Egyptian. I felt someone brushing my hair. I smiled inside. I listened desperately for Henry, but he wasn’t there. The rhythmic strokes of the brush through my hair were relaxing, and I drifted back into my dark slumber.

  I finally was able to open my lids the third time I woke up. I blinked several times seeing rays of sunlight peeking through the window. I could hear some sort of humming. I turned my head and saw Shae. She was propped up against the headboard, playing with my hair.

  “Shae,” I whispered. My mouth felt like the desert Abbass tried so hard to hide. She looked up from my hair and squealed in delight, grabbing me into a fierce hug.

  “Oh my dear, you had us worried sick, Doll,” she exclaimed.

  “What happened?” I asked through painfully chapped lips.

  “I don’t know for sure, Henry won’t tell us. He just said you were tired. He said that you went for a run and hadn’t slept well since you got here, the time change and all. But frankly I don’t buy it.” Her face became serious.

  “How long have I been asleep?” I managed to ask.

  “A solid twenty-four hours. Collin practically had to drag Henry to dinner. Shortly after he left, your mother hen, Hagar, left to help serve. She has been as bad as Henry. This is the first time both of them have left your side.” She sounded much like a mother hen herself. Shae shook her head as she talked, expressing her disapproval over their behavior. Pulling out a cell phone she began dialing. I heard someone answer.

  “She’s up,” said Shae into the phone, and then she closed it.

  “Who was that?” I asked, confused.

  “Oh, just Collin,” she spoke easily, sounding almost bored. “He told Henry you were awake and Henry took off. He’s on his way now.”

  I sat up quickly, fear thrilling down my spine, the memory of what Abbass was planning flooded back into my mind like boiling hot lava.

  “What’s wrong, Doll?” Shae asked, as she laid my head against her chest and rubbed my hair. Her arms were soft and comforting. When I didn’t answer, right away she started to hum again. The vibration in her chest calmed me.

  I took a deep shaky breath before I recited the events that happened in the stable, leaving out my reason for being there or how I snuck in. Explaining how I just wanted to see Berg again and how he protected me she arched a brow and pursed her lips. Then when I told her what Abbass told the horse, I could feel her body stiffen. Sensing fear and hatred as strong as what Henry felt toward Abbass took my breath. Then the fear returned.

  “What am I going to do? What am I going to tell Henry?” I cried. “Should I even tell him?”

  Casting me a grave look, she answered quickly. “Yes, you better or I will.”

  I pulled away from her.

  Shae’s voice softened. “I don’t mean to be cruel, sweetie. But you have to communicate with Henry. He is your husband. You never know what small thing you should have told someone that could have prevented something awful. What you’re talking about isn’t exactly little.” Her words were wise beyond her years etched with a deep pain I felt her cover quickly. I took a deep breath attempting to calm my nerves; I needed to pull myself together for Henry.

  Sitting up in the bed, I wiped my face with the sheet. Shae smoothed my hair down and pushed it behind my shoulders, a smile turned up the sides of her full lips. “You know Doll, that man worships you. His sun rises and sets with you. He has been a mess. Collin and I came by to check on you two when you didn’t make it to breakfast or lunch. Hagar told Abbass the whole ‘time change’ excuse. He bought it thankfully.” She continued fussing with my hair.

  “We knocked several times with no answer. Collin wanted to leave, but I refused. I finally yelled that if he didn’t open the door, I could get louder. He opened it then.”

  Feeling a bit of normalcy returning, I laughed at her story.

  “Oh, girl,” she continued. “He was a wreck, your man. He had dark circles under his eyes. He looked like he had been up for weeks. His skin was paler than usual. When I saw him, that’s when I knew it was something more than exhaustion. He agreed to let us in when Collin told him he was a medic in the military. Henry practically dragged him in, more like it.” She threw her head back and laughed. “Collin looked you over and said your body just needed to rest from what he could tell. Henry told us we could leave after that, but I refused. Collin finally talked him int
o taking a shower and then after much persuasion to get something to eat.” She sighed, curling a piece of my hair around her finger. “Yeah, you two are made for each other. I saw the way you acted when he came to the stables the other day.”

  Made for each other. The words echoed through my head. I silently hoped she was right.

  “Now, your mother hen, she was freaking me out at first. She combed your hair and sat beside you on the floor. She watched over you just as much as Henry.”

  I tried to explain about Hagar, but Shae only shushed me, and I sighed. She always had a lot to say.

  “I didn’t say it was bad, I just said I didn’t understand, and maybe I don’t need to. Nevertheless, I will tell you one thing I know for sure. Hagar is the one who kept Abbass at bay. If it wasn’t for her, I am most definitely sure that he would have had his guards breaking down the door to see you for himself.” I sensed a deep admiration and appreciation as she explained, and it humbled me beyond words. I didn’t know what to say. I was afraid as well, afraid for Hagar, and my new friends Shae and Collin. However, most of all, I was afraid for Henry. How could I protect him from the wrath of Abbass?