Dark Warrior (Warrior 2)

Everyone had to believe her dead and with blood pouring from her they would not want to look too closely. She gave the room one last glance and left knowing the next time she returned here, she would leave a dead woman.

The noon meal was a hurried affair, Decimus making it known he wished to be on his way as soon as possible. He lovingly squeezed Mary’s hand beneath the table, letting her know he cared.

She squeezed his in return, praying that Decimus’s demise would go well.

One of Decimus’s men rushed into the hall and Mary knew the plan had been set into motion. She looked to Reena and she nodded, letting her know that Brigid, Thomas, and Roarke were ready for them.

“The Dark One has been spotted entering the fortress.”

Decimus stood with a jolt, sending his chair toppling backward. “I will have his head this time. He will not escape or—someone else’s head will roll.”

Mary knew he was confident that it was someone’s foolish imagination that made him think he saw the Dark One, and he used it to his advantage. She was about to do the same.

She stood with a flourish, her eyes wide and anxious, and turned on her husband, screaming, “No, I love him.”

Decimus was stunned silent.

“I will not let you hurt him,” she wailed and pounded on his chest. “I carry his child. Not yours.” She moved away from him as if he were a vile creature, her hand extended out to keep him from approaching her. “Do you hear me, Decimus? It is the Dark One’s child I carry.”

The hall turned dead silent as they all waited for Decimus to make his move.

Decimus regained his senses and grabbed her arm. “Whore!” He shouted, and glared at her with confusion as he dragged her from the room and up the stairs.

“What are you doing?” he asked angrily as they climbed the stairs.

“Giving us a future,” she said as he opened the door to their bedchamber.

He looked bewildered and even more so when he entered the room to see Thomas, Brigid, and the Dark One waiting for them.

He pointed to the dark shrouded figure. “What goes on here?”

“Forgive me, Decimus, for I must take your life so that Michael may live,” Mary said and stepped away from him, knife in hand.

He stared at her shocked. “You cannot do this.” He caught a movement from the corner of his eye and easily deflected Thomas’s fist while landing a solid punch to the large man’s jaw, sending him stumbling backward.

“It is a chance for us,” Mary pleaded.

“I have a duty—”

“To me and your unborn child.”

“To people who suffer and die needlessly. But your elaborate plan will serve us well,” he said with anger. “It will be an unfaithful wife who dies this day.”

She grabbed his arms. “No, I will not lose you.”

“You never had me,” he said coldly.

She glared at him as though he had struck her. “Afraid, Decimus?” She all but spit the name. “Afraid to love instead of hate. Hate is so much easier. It demands nothing of you and gives nothing in return, whereas love gives endlessly and returns endless love. Your mother knew that when she urged you to leave and fight. She did not expect hate from you for she knew, as your sister did, in love there was power. They understood the power of love. Can you not see what you can do by loving instead of hating?”

He laughed with an anger that chilled. “Do you not hear how foolish you sound? You think love will prevent the torture and suffering of innocent people?”

“The absence of love is what causes the torture and suffering of innocent people.”

Her words struck him like a fist to his face.

“My father taught me that in knowledge there is power. Teach the people how to survive in the absence of love. You will save many more lives than you do now.”

Decimus remained speechless, words failing him.

“I intend to survive with love,” Mary said softly and with a tear of courage slipping down her cheek, she gave a brief nod.

Decimus turned ready to deflect Thomas’s blow, but Roarke quickly stepped in and grabbed Decimus’s arm. The hasty intervention gave Thomas just enough time to land a solid blow to Decimus’s jaw and he collapsed to the floor.

“Hurry,” Mary urged, fighting the need to make certain her husband was all right. “We have wasted precious time.

Everyone sped into action.

Roarke did a good imitation of Decimus’s voice, screaming vicious threats at Mary. She matched his screams, claiming over and over again her love for the Dark One.

Those in the hall did not know what to do and some of the men inched closer to the staircase ready to fight if their lord should need them.

Magnus and Reena pushed past them to keep them at bay a bit longer and to be the first to reach the room when the signal was given.