Shades of Truth (The Summerlynn Secrets)

by C. L. Stockton

“Wonderful. I do love a stubborn woman.” Leaning against the wall, he watched me pace.

  “I hope you’re being sarcastic.”

  “Of course I’m being sarcastic.”

  “Sarcasm isn’t helping us escape.”

  “Think if it did. We’d be free by morning.”

  “Does this mean you’ve reconsidered?” I couldn’t very well escape by myself. For one thing, I didn’t have any ideas.

  “We won‘t need to escape.”

  Ah, so he did know something about our current situation. Before I could question him more closely, or, failing that, smack him, a knock came at the door.

  I looked at Colton who looked at me. Was I supposed to summon them? “Yes?” My voice was thin and raspy. That chloroform made my throat dry.

  The door opened, and a stranger poked his head in. “There is a meeting in ten minutes.” And that was it.

  Straightening, Colton rotated his shoulders. That done, he walked to the window, attempting to pry an edge up. No luck. The nails held.

  “If I come near, do you promise not to kill me? “ A light smile on his lips, Colton balanced on the balls of his feet as he awaited my answer.

  “No.”

  He laughed. The sound nearly affected my own frown, but I resisted.

  Ignoring my earlier warning, he came to stand before me. With a light touch, Colton brushed my hair behind my ear. “Do not look so worried, sweetheart. All is well.” On the verge of adding more, he released me to once again walk to the far wall. An off tune whistle allowed me to track him in the dimness.

  Whistling? He was whistling? My eyes narrowed. His behavior struck me as odd. Instead of being fearful, Colton actually seemed to want to attend the meeting.

  The door suddenly opened. The man from a few minutes ago stepped inside. “If you please, this way.”

  What? No push or threat to help us on our way? I followed Colton out the door into a dreary if clean hallway. The green runner had seen better days, but the side tables and other accoutrements were dust free. Someone cared what the place looked like.

  It wasn’t very large, either. Barely two doors down, we stopped. The man escorting us, wiry and mild, knocked.

  “Enter!” The summons, a deep baritone, was authoritative. That man sounded as though he made decisions regarding world peace before breakfast each day. Our escort opened the door and walked inside. Suppressing a shiver of apprehension, I followed close on Colton’s heels as we entered the room.

  Around a large, square table sat at least fifteen men. Attired in some form of loose shirts and trousers, they didn’t appear friendly. Instead they looked supremely capable of conquering a small country. They probably knew a hundred ways to murder me without breaking a sweat. Among them, tucked against the far wall, was the man from Lisbon. I wasn't surprised, but his presence added at least three more questions to my already overflowing mind.

  I barely had the chance to take in my surroundings (not much in the way of decoration though the landscape above the fireplace was quite pretty) before the man seated at one head of the table spoke. I recognized him as the leader who ordered our abduction. “Please forgive our earlier poor treatment of you.” He paused. “You understand one cannot be too careful in our position.”

  Colton nodded. “Be aware my charity does not extend much further.” I looked askance at Colton, hearing the implied threat beneath his words. The leader was anything but tiny. His arms were huge, his legs the size of tree trunks. If I were Colton, I would at least attempt to be nice.

  A bark of laughter. Treeman was actually amused? Surely I’d passed into some parallel world where insults became compliments. “Please, have a seat.”

  For the first time, I noticed two empty chairs along the far wall. To get there, we’d have to pass in front of everyone. Feeling like a disobedient child sent to serve my penalty in the corner, I wordlessly followed Colton to the chairs. He pulled mine out for me, only sitting after I sat.

  “I imagine you have come to bargain with us. I do not negotiate.” Treeman steadied his hands on the table. All the heads at the table turned for Colton’s response.

  “In that, we are well matched. I do not negotiate either.” Colton met the other man’s intense grey gaze without a flinch. “Nevertheless, I have come for the express purpose of reaching an agreement.”

  Aha! I knew the man was up to something. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how my father fit in, or why I was even at this meeting. If I didn’t think everyone would know, I would attempt to slip out unnoticed.

  “Yet you dare bring her?” Treeman’s comment drew all eyes to me. I wanted to sink into the floor in embarrassment.

  “Surely she cannot be held responsible for her father’s actions.” Colton nudged my foot under the table with his. “Besides, if I recall, her father was very instrumental in preparing the house for you.” His blue eyes hardened.

  A laugh. “Summerlynn succeeded beyond our wildest dreams. Even so, I will not discuss these matters while she is here.” That was a change from earlier, when he said my father had involved me.

  “I fail to see what bearing her presence has on the matter. She is entirely uninvolved.”

  “Is that what you believe?” A laugh from Treeman. “And if I were to tell you she has in her possession the very thing we all want?"

  I sat straighter in my chair. He had to be talking about the pendant. If I'd followed my father's instructions and given it to the man from Lisbon, Treeman would have it now. Why? What linked my father to this man?

  “Do you really believe Miss. Summerlynn has kept anything from me?” Colton smiled. “We are closer than you know.”

  I didn’t know why Colton was defending me. Unless he was working with or for my father.

  No. Colton couldn’t be working for my father. Could he? Was he using me, then? Did that mean I was unwittingly helping further my father’s ends? Which were?

  I resisted the urge to thunk my head on the edge of the table. I was so confused.

  “Are you an excellent poker player, Colton?”

  Colton inclined his head. “When I hold the winning cards.”

  Treeman appeared to consider this. “I cannot speak of things the girl may not know.”

  Shoving back his chair, Colton stood. “Then our discussions are complete. Please have our horse readied. We will leave you gentlemen to your planning.”

  “Sit.” The order came fast and loud. It was meant to startle Colton into submission.

  It failed.

  “I think not. You are unwilling to talk. I dislike wasting my time.” He looked down to where I was still sitting. I caught a glimmer of laughter before he again met Treeman’s eyes.

  I failed to see what was so funny. We were in a room full of men—heavily armed men—and he chose to brangle with the leader instead of begging for our lives. I knew we could be killed should we refuse to cooperate.

  If only I understood what cards Colton held. There must be a reason he was so confident. Of course, that was part of his personality. The man did not believe there was anything in this world that could harm him.

  “May I remind you your father’s future hangs in the balance?” Treeman played his trump card with a flourish.

  I turned expectantly to Colton for his reply. At last I might learn who Colton was.

  “And might I remind you there is no documentation to support your claim meaning it is now reduced to rumors.” Colton smiled. “Next year, no one will even remember this.”

  “Rumors have built and destroyed more monarchies than can be numbered.”

  “Ah, but we are discussing much more than a monarchy.” Colton pointed at Treeman. “The people of Goran are my primary concern.”

  “Goran shall be fine.” Treeman dismissed that matter with a wave.

  “They won’t. What you propose will shake the country to its core.” He sighed. “We are on the brink of war! We do not have time for this.”

  “Then retract your own claim and there will be
no problem.”

  Colton’s jaw firmed. “I will fight to defend what is mine.”

  “Is it really yours?”

  Without hesitation he answered, “It is.”

  In an expansive movement, Treeman indicated the entire table. “Then come. Bring your best offer and we shall decide once and for all what is yours and what is mine.”

  “If you are lucky, the only thing you lose will be your claim.” Colton sat.

  “You are in no position to make threats, though I appreciate the sentiment.” Treeman nodded at the man next to him, who got to his feet and left the room. Both Colton and I tracked the movement. “Do you require anything before we begin?”

  A firm shake of the head. “I have come to discuss business. Anything else is not a priority.”

  “I am positive Miss Summerlynn does not feel the same.” From the doorway, a feminine voice claimed our attention. Though not beautiful, a certain attraction lay in the wide forehead, clear blues eyes, and long dark hair. The woman was not overly tall, but had a commanding presence. I sensed everyone sat a little straighter as her gaze swept the room before settling on me. “You must be quite famished, my dear.”

  My stomach did feel empty, though fear had driven thoughts of food far away. Unsure how to address her, I said nothing.

  “Please, come with me. A late lunch has been laid out below stairs.” She beckoned me.

  Before agreeing, I looked to Colton. He nodded. “Very well.” Suddenly self conscious, I got to my feet and followed the woman into the hallway.

  She shut the door behind us firmly. Turning to me, she said, “We have not been formally introduced. I am Sabean Esring.”

  “Cadrian Summerlynn.” For an absurd moment, I felt the need to curtsey. Something about this woman commanded respect.

  “I know. Come.” Apparently Sabean had no time to waste. I followed her down the rest of the short hallway to the stairs into an entryway and straight ahead into a dining room of sorts. Though clean, the fabric on the chairs was worn as was the flattened grey carpeting.

  My attention snagged on the food on the table. Roasted meat, bread, chopped vegetables and a heaping bowl of potatoes awaited us. The scent alone took my breath away. I was starving, but cautious. I waited until Sabean sat before sitting across from her and only filling my plate after she did.

  Though I gave every appearance of being absorbed in eating, the opposite was true. I studied Sabean as closely as she did me. I was again struck by the elegance of her bone structure. It looked very familiar, but I wasn’t sure why. I was positive we hadn’t met before, yet the straight nose, high cheekbones, and wide forehead struck a note of recognition.

  Only my brain hadn’t yet returned to normal and refused to connect the dots that were so clearly waiting to be connected. It still swam with questions about my father, and Colton, and why I was here and what this woman could possibly want with me. It was no coincidence I’d been removed from the room. What was it about me that was so dangerous?

  “How long have you known Lucas?” I noted, as I was supposed to, the familiarity of address. Please do not tell me Sabean was one of the man’s lovers!

  How long had it been? “Three or four days.” Having been knocked out, I could not be at all sure what day it was.

  “Where did you meet?” Sabean swallowed her mouthful of potatoes.

  Regretfully, I set my fork down. “Shall we make this easy? What is it you want to know? I dislike being questioned while eating dinner.” Or is it lunch? Daylight still slanted through the windows, so perhaps it was lunch.

  Her blues eyes widened innocently. “Do forgive me. I am told I have an insatiable curiosity.”

  She wasn’t getting away that easily. “Five days ago, I would have believed that.”

  “You have learned too much already.” A smile lifted her lips, relieving her features of their aloofness. “The less you know, the better.”

  I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. She could join the long line of people spending their time pumping me for information while saying I didn’t need to know more than I already did. The problem lay in the fact I didn’t know what I knew. Or what I was supposed to know.

  Good grief.

  So I picked up my fork and resumed eating. Things always looked better on a full stomach. I thought of Treeman and his decision to send for this woman. I’d noticed the way the man’s eyes lingered on her. There was something between them. “Is that your husband?”

  A tinkling and very attractive laugh escaped her. “Surely you cannot expect me to reveal anything when you guard your own secrets so closely.”

  Frustrated, I snapped back, “I have no secrets. I know nothing. My father never confided in me.”

  “I am inclined to believe you, but there is one little fact that rings false.” At my wordless question, Sabean pointed at my neck. “Your necklace.”

  Unfastening the chain around my neck, I offered it to Sabean. “Explain.”

  Her fingers traced the emblem on the front. “Do you really not know?”

  It was my turn to widen my eyes. “No.” Weariness descended upon my shoulders. Why was everyone so determined I was lying?

  “I assume your father gave this to you?” At my nod, she explained, “This mark represents Bolien,” her nail traced the upper arch, “This is Goran,” she indicated the lower half moon. “And this,” her finger moved to the circle between them, “is the island between.”

  “That is simple geography. What does that have to do with me?”

  “This pendant, Cadrian, means your father and now, apparently you, are keeper of the Tallon secrets.” My face remained blank. “I can see your father did not explain fully when he gave it you.”

  It appeared there was a lot my father hadn’t explained. “It was a sixteenth birthday present.” Sabean nodded encouragingly. “Father only told me it was a family heirloom.” I shrugged. “I wanted a new saddle.”

  Sabean turned the pendant over to reveal a smooth, unmarked back. She handed it back to me. “I have only seen one of these and it was years ago.”

  “What does it mean? Who are the Tallons?” If I had to hold her down, I was going to get answers.

  “The Tallons are an ancient order devoted to the protection of the Norths.” North was the surname for Goran’s royal family. “Anyone with the pendant has been sworn into the order.”

  “I haven’t.” My brow furrowed.

  Right. So things were now incredibly strange. My father was a member of the Tallons, sworn to protect the royal family of Goran, yet was wanted by the same country for questioning about possible espionage for Bolien. Hmmm. Talk about a puzzle.

  Sabean handed it back to me. “I would advise you to keep that hidden until you have decided what to do about it.”

  “Decide? What’s there to decide?” I was not a Tallon and had no wish to be.

  “By giving it to you, your father made the decision for you.”

  I got to my feet. “My father has only decided my refusal.” I left the pendant on the table as I turned to leave.

  “I am sorry, Cadrian, but the Tallons already know about you.” She laughed. “Everyone in this country knows about you.”

  “I imagine they have nothing flattering to say.”

  “Opinions fluctuate depending on what they believe you are doing.” At my confused look, she added, “Traveling with Lucas Colton has further muddied the waters.”

  “I had no choice in the matter. My father practically threw me at him.” I traced the inlay on the silver spoon beside my plate.

  “Your father handed you over to Colton? Interesting.” Sabean sat back in her chair, her expression tight as she puzzled over what that might mean.

  “They must be working together,” I offered.

  “Not necessarily but your father may be using Colton, a fact the man in question probably knows.”

  “Then why allow it?”

  “Because it allows him to stay close to you.” Her eyes sharpened on me.
“How close is he?”

  I knew exactly what she wanted to know. “There is nothing between us. I do not even like the man.”

  “As far as men go, you can do far worse than your Colton. You can trust him. Well, for most things.” She gave a little chuckle. “I’d watch his hands if I were you.”

  Ignoring her, I sagged back into my chair. “When did my life turn into such a nightmare?”

  “It is not so bad. You are still alive.”

  “No thanks to my father.”

  “Entirely because of your father. He elicited protection from the one man who can guarantee your safety. I would say you are very lucky to be where you are.”

  “Which is?”

  Her laugh was a cascade of bells. “Here.” Sabean got to her feet. “Come. I shall take you to wash up.”

  I was slow getting to my feet. “How can I be lucky when my father is a traitor?”

  “Your father is not a traitor.”

  “Of course he is. Colton told me my father is a traitor and Goran wishes to question him.”

  “And you believe everything he says?”

  I lifted my chin. “I have no choice.” If I began questioning him word by word, I’d go completely crazy.

  “To be fair, Colton has not yet realized there are no traitors.” Having reached the door, she reminded me, “Do not forget your necklace. Regardless of what you decide, it is a family heirloom. Those can be few and far between.”

  I refastened the pendant around my neck. Instead of feeling familiar, the weight against my chest felt strange. Emptied of words, I followed Sabean down the hallway and into a retiring room.

  “I regret I cannot offer you a bath, but please make use of the basin to wash up. Knock when you are finished. I will be across the hall in the sitting room.” When the door shut, I clearly heard the lock turn. Though Sabean had been helpful and even a little friendly, there was no doubt she was in charge.

  Eagerly, I used the honeysuckle scented soap and water on each inch of skin I could reach. I didn’t feel comfortable enough to disrobe, not knowing when I’d be interrupted, so I left my shirt and trousers on. I carefully tucked the pendant beneath my shirt.

  Using my knuckles, I rapped loudly on the door. A minute passed before I heard the lock turn and the door opened. Sabean’s blue eyes swept over me. “Feel better?”