*****
“Excellent! Excellent!”
Kaevin lifted his eyes to regard Vindrake, clapping his hands with a gleeful expression. Though he’d never met the man, there could be no mistake. From his jet-black hair and beard to his overwhelming aura of evil, he was unmistakable.
“No doubt, this is Graely’s own son! The resemblance is unmistakable. And the ransom will be forthcoming, I’m certain.”
Kaevin wrestled against the man restraining him, tasting the blood flowing from his swollen mouth. He felt the rope biting into his wrists, so tightly were they bound. And unfortunately someone had secured a belt of iron around his waist, so there would be no rescue from Alora. This can only end badly.
“My father would never give you anything,” Kaevin said, spitting blood at Vindrake’s feet.
“Oh, but it’s not your father from whom I want the ransom. It is my daughter who will pay your ransom. A simple trade. She comes to me—I let you go.”
“She won’t do it!” But Kaevin’s mind filled with doubt. Would she make such a foolish decision? It would be better for both of them to die than for Vindrake to get his hands on her. And if they were apart for long, they would both die anyway. He couldn’t let Vindrake know about the soulmate bond, or he would use the information to manipulate her.
“Tell me what you know about her,” said Vindrake.
“I don’t really know her,” said Kaevin.
Vindrake raised an eyebrow. “Lying to me is useless. Among my many gifts is judging.” He smiled at Kaevin. “So, you can save yourself a great deal of pain if you answer my questions truthfully the first time.”
He raised his open hand in the air and stretched it toward Kaevin. When he closed it quickly into a fist, a fierce pain shot through Kaevin’s left hand as the bone snapped in his little finger. He screamed, and Vindrake gave a vicious smile.
“On the other hand, if you resist me, I will enjoy showing you who is Master here.”
*****
Alora cried out, “He’s in pain! Oh God, please! What’s wrong with him? Where is he?” Tears poured down her face in a steady stream.
“Can you see his face, Alora? Can you speak to him?” asked Raelene. She opened her arms, and Alora fell into her embrace, weeping.
“No! But I feel him hurting. Why can’t I bring him to me? What am I doing wrong?” asked Alora.
Nordamen put a hand on her shoulder. “They must have him in iron. Vindrake’s men took him.”
“But shouldn’t she be able to communicate, even if he’s in iron?” asked Raelene.
“I believe their shaman must have placed a ward over the iron to prevent communication.” Nordamen hesitated. “And I must tell you something else... Jireo is badly injured.”
“Oh!” Alora exclaimed, rushing to look over the rock, down where Jireo lay bleeding on the ledge with Beth kneeling beside him. “Do I need to take him to Laethan?”
Raelene’s face was lined with worry. “It would be b
est for Jireo, but I’m afraid for you to make too many trips to Laegenshire. Each one will draw from your soulmate bond. And since you cannot reach Kaevin, we need to protect you.”
Alora set her lips with grim determination. “Kaevin would want me to save Jireo, no matter the cost.” She quickly moved to the ledge and touched Beth on the shoulder.
“Alora,” said Beth as she looked up, her tears streaking through the dirt on her face. “I think it’s bad.” She pressed cloths in vain on a chest wound. “I think it got his lung. He’s barely breathing!”
“Stand back,” she said. “I’m taking him to Laethan.”
This time Laethan wasn’t surprised when she appeared. The healing house was in a flurry, with people running back and forth, following his orders. He immediately started ripping off Jireo’s shirt, only his grave expression giving away his concern at the severe wound. He stopped for a moment to nod at Alora.
“You’ve done well,” he said.
Alora knew the words were meant to encourage her, but she heard the bleakness in his response.
She moved back to the cliff face where Raelene was now consulting with Nordamen and Morvaen. Raelene gazed at Alora with concern. “You’re holding your head. Is it hurting now?”