Midnight Shadow (6 page)

He’ll kill me, she thought again and again. He’ll kill me this time if he catches me. Just like he killed Widow Anderson.

Instinct brought her to her horse, which remained tethered to the branch of the tree. She pulled herself up onto the horse’s back and immediately turned the animal toward the safety of her father’s lands. All she needed to do was get to Delaney lands and she would be safe. Kenric was chasing her on foot. And now she was on horseback. She’d make it.

But the horse whinnied angrily as its head jerked forward.

The reins were still wrapped around the branch! Bria grabbed hold of the leather straps and pulled frantically, trying to free them, but they became more entangled around the branch. With a howl of fear and frustration, she tore the straps free, yanking the small branch from the tree. She spurred the horse away as a threatening shadow crashed through the wall of bushes beside her.

The steed reared and Bria almost fell, but she clung tightly to the horse’s mane, keeping herself in the saddle. The horse raced away over the land, knowing the way back to Castle Delaney by heart -- a lucky thing, because Bria’s hands were trembling so badly she couldn’t have steered the animal if she wanted to. She urged her horse on, spurring it hard until she broke free of the forest. They raced over a small hill, galloping at a breakneck pace toward the castle.

Soon Castle Delaney loomed before her, but Bria didn’t feel relieved. Fear held her in a tight embrace, erasing all other thoughts. She spurred her horse below the portcullis, ignoring the guard’s call. As soon as they reached the inner ward she dismounted, practically throwing herself from the saddle. Her feet hit the ground first. Then she fell forward, landing on her hands and knees. For a long moment, she stayed that way, trembling fiercely, struggling to catch a breath, willing her pounding heart to slow down.

Kenric will kill me if he finds me.

He killed Widow Anderson. He murdered her in cold blood!

Mary! Bria quickly stood and took a step toward her horse, lifting her foot into the stirrups. But then she froze. Kenric would be waiting for her at the edge of the east woods. He’d know she would come back.

How can I not go back for Mary? He might hurt her. He might kill her!

Guilt and terror at what she had done, at what she was doing, weighed heavily on her shoulders.

She’d left Mary alone in the woods.

Suddenly, Bria bolted into the keep. She raced up a set of spiral stairs and down the hall. Garret would help her, she was sure of it. He’d return to the woods and search for Mary with her. She ran as fast as she could, finally skidding to a halt before his door.

Bria lifted her hand to knock, but suddenly froze, her hand raised in the air. He’d tried to protect her against Kenric a long time ago, but he hadn’t been strong enough.

And now Kenric was even more evil.

What if Garret were hurt, or even killed, because of her?

Bria lowered her hand. She couldn’t risk his life. She turned and raced down the stairs. She would get Jason of Victors, the captain of the guard, and bring a dozen men with her.

She could only pray Mary would remain safe until then.

Chapter Four

G
arret emerged from the stables, adjusting his stockings. He glanced back over his shoulder at the wench sitting on a pile of hay, pulling her dress up over her ample bosom. He paused at the door to admire those luscious curves. She glanced up and caught him staring at her. She grinned and purposely dropped her top, leaning back so her breasts jutted out at him in invitation.

Garret chuckled low in his throat. “Wanton wench,” he murmured. But he resisted the stirrings in his loins. He needed a few hours sleep if he was to meet Bria come dawn. He shook his head, laughing pleasantly. The women at Castle Delaney had always been very accommodating.

He headed toward the keep, passing through the empty courtyard, whistling softly. As he approached the keep, the simple song died on his lips. A horse stood unattended in the middle of the inner ward. A scowl crossed his brow.

He approached the horse, patting its neck lightly. The horse whinnied and tossed its head. The reins jerked up with the movement before settling back to dangle over the animal’ s neck. Something on the end of the reins caught Garret’s attention, something heavy enough to weigh down the leather straps.

Garret grabbed the bridle and patted the horse’s neck again before picking up the reins. A branch was tangled in the leather straps. He worked the straps free and inspected the branch for a moment before tossing it aside.

The courtyard was empty. How strange, he thought. Whose horse was this?

Garret stepped up the first stair to the keep when suddenly the door flew open. Bria emerged from the double doors and their gazes locked immediately. A smile began to form on Garret’s lips at seeing her, but ceased when he read the distress in her eyes. Her usually bright blue eyes were wide with fear. Her complexion was pale. Something was terribly wrong.

Garret bounded up the two steps to her side and took her hands in his. “Bria, what is it? What’s happened?”

“Mary.” Bria glanced over his shoulder toward the gatehouse. “We were in the east woods and Kenric...” She turned those wide, blue eyes to him. “Kenric killed an old woman. And... I’m afraid for Mary.”

“Where?” Garret demanded, straightening. “Where in the east woods? Where is Mary?”

Bria struggled to pull free of his grip. “I need to find Jason. I need to call out the guards and go look for Mary.”

“Tell me where she is,” Garret demanded.

“I won’t risk your life, too!” She shook her head frantically. “It’s Kenric!”

“And it’s Mary!” Garret fumed. “Why won’t you tell me –” Suddenly, understanding filled his eyes, followed instantly by indignation. His jaw clenched in anger. “You think I can’t defeat Kenric.”

“That’s not it,” Bria proclaimed.

But Garret knew the truth. He turned away. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll find her myself.”

“No! Garret!” Bria raced after him and attempted to grab his arm, but Garret tore loose, whirling on her.

“I’m insulted you think so little of me,” Garret said. Hurt twisted his heart. She was one of his best friends, yet had such little faith in his abilities.

“He killed an old woman.”

“I’ve killed many men. Young men,” Garret retorted hotly.

“She was weaponless! Kenric has no honor, Garret!” Bria argued vehemently. “This isn’t a contest. He’d strike at you from behind, kill you by trickery, and I don’t want a friend of mine killed.”

“I can defend myself,” Garret insisted. His pride had been wounded, and it was not so easily mended. “Are you going to tell me where she is or not?”

Bria hesitated for only a moment, carefully, thoughtfully, angrily perusing his face. Finally, she turned away.

Garret fumed. He couldn’t believe she wasn’t going to tell him, couldn’t believe she’d leave Mary out in the woods in such great peril.

But then, much to his surprise, Bria swung herself up onto the lone horse in the middle of the courtyard and held out a hand to him.

“No,” Garret insisted, something akin to panic building inside him. “I’ll go alone. There’s no need for you to risk your life. I’m a trained knight.”

Bria glanced at him and Garret saw the resolution in her eyes. “She’s my friend, too.”

Garret cursed silently and grabbed her hand, pulling himself up behind her. He snatched the reins from her hands and demanded, “Where is she?”

***

They searched the woods for hours beneath the light of the moon, but there was no sign of Mary or Kenric or the old woman. It was as if Bria had imagined the entire thing. She knew that was exactly what Garret was beginning to believe. At dawn they went to Mary’s home. Bria hoped beyond hope she had imagined the whole thing, that Kenric hadn’t killed some old woman and Mary was safe at home in her bed.

Bria glanced back at Garret, who was still sitting on the horse, before turning back to Mary’s door. She lifted her hand to knock, but the door opened before her knuckles could hit the wood. Mary’s mother, a thin woman with large blue eyes, stood in the doorway.

“Bria,” she gasped. “Is Mary with you?”

Dread surged in Bria’s breast. It hadn’t been her imagination. “No,” Bria said. “She didn’t return home last night?”

“No,” Mary’s mother whimpered. She burst into tears. “Oh, Bria, I don’t know what to do. You know Mary. You know she wouldn’t stay out all night.”

Bria looked in the direction of the pond. Dread filled her entire being. They had to go back and search again. They had to find Mary.

“George is out looking for her now,” Mary’s mother said.

“I’ll look for her,” Bria promised and returned to Garret. She couldn’t lift her eyes to him; she couldn’t look at him. This was her fault. She never should have left Mary.

Garret reached down and encircled her hand, pulling her up before him. “It’s not your fault,” he whispered.

Mary’s mother stood in the doorway. “I’ll stay here in case she comes home.”

But Bria wasn’t listening to either of them. She directed Garret to return to the pond. I should have stayed with her. I shouldn’t have left her alone. She pictured her friend lying dead in the road, run through by Kenric.

They reached the pond and scanned the shore, but Mary wasn’t there.

“Mary!” Bria called desperately.

Pictures of Mary buried in the bushes, raped, beaten, stabbed, played out in ugly images in Bria’s mind. “Mary!” Bria repeated, her voice cracking with despair. Tears rose in her eyes. I shouldn’t have left her.

Garret’s arm tightened around her waist.

But Bria leaned away from him, resisting his attempt at comfort.

Garret nudged the horse forward slowly.

Bria searched the sides of the road as they rode by, hoping something would appear, something they’d missed before, some clue that Mary was still alive, a sign her friend was all right.

But there was nothing, no blood, no bodies, not even a sign of a scuffle. Of course, Kenric wouldn’t have left any evidence of what he had done.

She’d never know what he did with Mary.

Deep down, Bria knew if Mary hadn’t returned by now, she wasn’t going to. Even acknowledging this to herself was admitting defeat. If she just kept looking, if she didn’t give up, everything would be all right.

And then something caught her eye. “Wait!”

Garret pulled the horse to a halt and Bria dismounted, swinging her leg over the horse’s back, never taking her gaze from what looked like a piece of red cloth stuck to the bark of a tree. She hurried over to it.

Bria stopped before the tree, looking at the cloth for a long moment. Finally, she touched it then quickly pulled her hand back. Her fingertips were stained red. Sickened, Bria lifted her eyes to the piece of cloth again. It wasn’t red. It was saturated with blood. The edges were still brown, the same brown as the dress Mary had been wearing. Bria crushed the material in her trembling hand. “Mary,” she whispered, staring down at the red-stained fabric in her palm.

Garret moved up behind her. “It might not be hers,” he said softly.

Bria turned to look at him, her vision blurred with tears. Garret reached out to her, pulling her close.

They both knew it was Mary’s.

***

Terran stared out the window of his bedroom in Castle Knowles. Garret, he thought again. Garret Dysen. Even though Odella’s father believed Terran to be a better match for his daughter, Odella’s heart had already been taken.

The door squeaked open behind him. He didn’t turn from the rising sun. What could he do for her? Would he release her to make her happy? Could he let her go to another man to give her life?

The footsteps of an invader entered the deathly quiet chambers.

“M’lord,” Kenric whispered. His voice sounded like a scream in the soundless room.

Terran didn’t answer him, didn’t move.

Kenric lowered his voice even further. “The herbalist is missing.”

Terran whirled. “What do you mean, missing?”

“She’s gone, Terran. We’ve searched everywhere.”

“Then get another!” Terran demanded. “It’s Odella’s only hope. Bring me some concoction that will make her well!”

“I brought a physician instead,” Kenric said softly.

“I told you I don’t want a physician,” Terran growled.

“Terran, be reasonable!” Kenric urged. “He’s better than nothing.”

Terran turned his gaze to Odella as soft footsteps echoed through the room. Her angelic face was so at peace, so soft and delicate.