The Libertine (Taskill Witches 2)

Gavin strode past her and slammed the door shut. Apparently he did not want the servants to hear that. “This ‘he’ that you speak of, you have given yourself into his hands?”

“I have, and it is the only happiness I have ever known since my parents perished.” There was freedom in stating her truths, and Chloris felt almost light-headed with relief, as if a burden she had unwittingly been carrying had finally been taken from her.

The hatred she saw in Gavin’s eyes grew fiercer. “I would rather see you dead than hear you speak to me that way again.”

It was a warning, but she did not care anymore. “Of course you would, for that is what you have craved for some time, isn’t it?”

Tamhas appeared shocked at that. He reached out for her and attempted to put his hand on her shoulder. “Think about what you’re saying.”

Chloris drew back. “It is too late for that. You ini

tiated this, Tamhas. You came here to cause a disturbance. There is no way back for us now, but you will not get what you want, for I will not reveal his whereabouts.”

Gavin stared her down. “Fool. When the witch finder arrives you will show him where they are hiding, and even if you don’t, you know that I will have them hunted down.”

He had the bloodlust now, and she feared he would be as hungry for the win as Tamhas. Her fear for Lennox grew.

“It’ll be a fine show for Edinburgh,” Gavin added, “a witch trial and a hanging.”

Never. Chloris saw the image he craved and she darted to the table, snatched up the pistol and pointed it at them both.

Tamhas looked concerned but Gavin simply laughed. The sound held a cruel, dismissive note.

She turned the pistol fully on him.

“You are a weak woman. You don’t have it in you to injure either of us.”

When she pulled the trigger, she was not prepared for the violent start the weapon gave and she stumbled back, hitting up against the bureau.

Had she wounded him? She only knew for certain because his expression distorted, and his body jerked. Then a dot of red appeared on his shoulder and quickly grew larger, blood seeping across his waistcoat. He reached for the wound with his opposite hand and grunted heavily when he pressed upon it to stem the flow of blood.

Chloris threw the weapon to the floor.

“Seize her!” Gavin grunted.

Tamhas needed no further encouragement, for he already looked at her as if she had lost her mind. Arresting her, he pulled her hands together behind her back, holding her by the wrists.

She glared back at him. “I will die before I tell you anything.”

Tamhas sneered at her. “You heard what your husband said. The witch finder general will find him, anyway. We will hunt him down and run him out of his lair.”

Fear and anger tangled within her.

Gavin had staggered to the door, opened it and called for assistance.

Outside, she heard voices raised. When she glanced at the window she saw that the street outside was lit with torches. A mob had gathered.

“The finder is here,” Tamhas told her. “You cannot protect him now.”

Chloris didn’t respond, for her mind worked frantically. She barely cared about the pain she felt or her own fate, and when Tamhas held her tightly by one arm and pulled her to face the angry crowd outside, she thought only of how much she loved Lennox.

Gavin had staggered down the hall, where the front door was open. “Call the surgeon,” he shouted.

Men ran to his side.

Tamhas paused halfway down the hall, leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Reconsider, please. Save yourself.”

She shook her head.