Obviously, she had set a trap, found a way to weaken his position. Devious minds use devious methods, he thought, as he chastised himself for being so fickle. The woman had no heart. Avenging his friends was the only thing that mattered. With a renewed sense of purpose, Leo drew his sword, pressed his back against the wall and waited to confront the golden-haired devil.
Chapter 2
“Is everything alright, Frau Lockwood?” Herr Bruhn sat down in the chair opposite, shuffled forward to warm his hands by the fire. “You seem preoccupied this evening.”
“Forgive me.” Ivana forced a smile. Having listened to threads of the old man’s thoughts, she knew they were filled with fear — for the children, for money, for his sick wife currently in bed with a fever. “I was just thinking that the children need new shoes, that I must increase your funds this month. The nights are too damp, and we must keep them warm. What of Frau Bruhn? Do you need more help here?”
They were all genuine concerns though they were not what plagued her thoughts tonight.
Someone hovered outside in the shadows.
“You are far too generous, Frau Lockwood. As for Frau Bruhn, she’s a strong woman and is determined to fight the fever. Matilda nurses her during the day.”
Ivana stared into the flames, lost in the vibrant orange glow. She had heard Herr Bruhn’s words, yet another man’s thoughts invaded her mind. But like the breathless whispers of the dying, she could not piece together the incoherent sounds.
Herr Bruhn cleared his throat. “Are you well?”
Ivana shook her head, blinked rapidly as she tore her gaze away. “Yes, yes. It is this awful weather. It is not good for the constitution, and I fear the roads will become impassable.”
Herr Bruhn raised his chin in acknowledgement. “I often wonder if this is how the Lord delivers his punishment. Perhaps it is his way of culling sinners, those too weak to survive the harsh conditions.”
A sudden chill passed through her.
“A man with a heart as huge as yours should have nothing to fear.” Ivana would always be indebted to the couple for giving the children a secure, loving home. “I am certain Frau Bruhn will make a speedy recovery.”
A strange sense of foreboding settled around her. Perhaps Herr Bruhn was right, and these odd voices in her head coupled with the heavy tension hanging in the air were signalling the demise of a sinner. Her demise.
“Then neither of us have anything to fear,” Herr Bruhn said confidently.
Ivana smiled again, despite the fact that wasn’t entirely true.
They were silent for a moment until Ivana said, “I shall arrange for someone to relieve Matilda for a few hours each day. The child needs exercise, to breathe clean air, to focus on her studies.”
Herr Bruhn clasped his hands together and held them to his chest. “That would be wonderful, as would the offer of new shoes and heating expenses. I cannot thank you enough for your kindness.”
“It is I who should thank you. Without your tireless efforts, heaven knows what would have happened to the children.” She inclined her head out of respect. “I am eternally grateful.” She glanced at the window, drawn to the closed shutters. “And know, if anything should happen to me, provisions have been set aside for their care.”
Herr Bruhn shook his head vigorously as tears formed in the corner of his eyes. “You are an angel, Frau Lockwood, sent to ease our woes.”
The man would think differently if he witnessed the sharp fangs overhanging her bottom lip, if he stared into eyes blacker than the night, saw her drink blood.
Ivana stood, feeling an urge to distract her overactive mind. “I shall go and read to the children, tuck them into their beds while you sit in peace and eat your supper. And thank you for allowing me to come when the hour is so late.”
In the winter months, she came earlier and spent the whole evening with them. In the summer months, Herr Bruhn knew her duties at the castle monopolised her time — unless the weather brought clouds thick
enough to obscure the sun.
“They would not wish to miss your nightly visits,” he said to reassure her. “It is only nine. Lately, they rarely rise before eight.”
During the time spent regaling tales of errant knights and distressed damsels, she struggled to forget about the mysterious stranger lurking outside in the shadows. At some point, she would have to leave the Bruhn household. Only then would his identity be revealed to her. Only then would she know why the man wished to do her harm.
Odd threads of his thoughts had interrupted her medieval tale, ruined the joy she gleaned from playing mother to the innocent. Hatred and loathing were the overriding emotions she felt from him. Bitterness and resentment buried somewhere within, too.
Descending the stairs, she took a deep breath to regain her composure before entering the small parlour.
“They are all sleeping soundly,” she said feigning a serene smile. “Well, so they would have me believe.”
Herr Bruhn nodded from his fireside chair. “I shall go and look in on them in a short while. Will you stay for supper?”