“But he was here only an hour past!” Ware was vexed. He should have found Garrick by now, and every minute he was away from Abergwynn, his worries increased. He’d been certain that the wolf dog was on the scent. Earlier today, before the storm, the animal could hardly restrain himself, running through the trees, looking back over his shoulder as if urging the men and horses to a faster pace.
Cadell reined in his mount and whistled again.
Ware strained to listen over the steady drip of the rain. The horses stamped their hooves, and steam rose from their nostrils. It was cold — bitter cold — and the lightning that scorched the sky over the hills to the east seemed ominous. If only they could find Garrick.
“We’ll split up,” Cadell suggested, his eyes turning a darker shade of blue. His brow furrowed and he shook his head, as if trying to clear his mind. “I’ll go after the wolf this way, through the trees, and you take the road. We’ll both head east and meet before nightfall … Wait!” He lifted his head, and his eyes narrowed to slits. “Do you hear that — a voice?”
“No one speaks,” Ware said, and Cadell frowned.
“You hear nothing?”
“Are you daft? There is no one here.”
Cadell’s eyes grew round, and his face turned white, as if he’d learned of his own death. “Holy Mother Mary,” he whispered, yanking hard on the reins so that his mount reared and whinnied.
“What the devil’s got into you?”
“Shh! Listen!” Cadell’s color slowly returned, and whatever had scared him had apparently faded. His mouth stretched into a wide grin as he regained control of the horse. “I knew I wasn’t going mad. Can’t you hear it, man? ’Tis riders! Coming this way!”
Ware strained his ears, but he heard nothing. “I think not—”
“Yes! Wolf’s found Morgana. That’s why the beast left us. Now they approach!” With a slap of the reins against his steed’s rump, Cadell wheeled the courser around and headed back toward the south. Dirt flew from the horse’s swift hooves.
“Wait, Cadell!” Ware called, exasperated by the younger boy’s impatience. Ware genuinely liked Morgana’s brother, but the boy was so dammed impetuous — ready to do battle at the snap of a twig and now taking off over some silly sound that Ware didn’t hear. In some ways Cadell was as mysterious as his older sister. Now he, too, was hearing voices. Well, Ware had to save him from his own damned rebellious streak. “Ha!” He kicked his horse’s side and followed the lad, for he had no other choice. When he caught up with Cadell, he intended to make sure the younger man understood who was giving orders! As for the wolf… Ware’s skin crawled a little as the rain hit his face and slid down beneath his shirt despite the hood on his surcoat. Why would the beast take off? Unless he was near his mistress. Or unless he was frightened for his life.
Ware’s heart turned to stone. Oh, God, this could be an ambush! The thugs who had taken Logan could surely be about, or worse … Strahan was somewhere within these hills and valleys. Though he and Cadell had passed their camp two nights before, there was a chance … Oh, sweet Jesus, please don’t let —
As Ware rounded a curve in the road and yanked hard on the reins, he saw his worst fear crystallize before him. His mount slid in the mud, nearly throwing Ware, but he didn’t care, for his eyes locked with the cruel black gaze of his cousin.
Strahan stood in the middle of the road, one hand pulling Cadell’s hair taut, the other holding a wickedly curved blade to the boy’s throat.
“Don’t!” Ware cried.
“Run!” Cadell screamed. “Ware, turn and leave!”
Strahan smiled. “Yes, cousin. Show your true colors.”
Ware had no choice. As he watched Cadell try not to tremble, he slowly dismounted, drew his sword, and tossed it at Strahan’s muddied boots. He felt the arms of strong men surround and restrain him, and didn’t bother struggling when a rope was looped over his shoulders and legs.
“You stupid boy,” Strahan snarled as he threw Cadell into the heavy arms of one of his men. His eyes never left Ware’s. “Why couldn’t you stay put? I left you at Abergwynn for your own safety!”
“You can kill me, but you’ll never take Abergwynn again,” Ware said bravely. “The castle belongs to Garrick.”
“Does it?” Strahan seemed neither surprised nor worried. “But Garrick is not back at Abergwynn yet, and as for Clare…” Strahan looked Ware up and down and shook his head. “I’m sure we can persuade her to
open the gates.”
“Never.”
“Your sister is willing to watch you die?” Strahan asked evenly. From the corner of his eye, Ware saw Cadell struggle. The guard holding him slapped him so hard the smack echoed through the trees. Cadell’s head snapped back, but he managed to stay on his feet.
“Clare won’t believe that you would do me harm!”
“No? Mayhap not. I suppose we’ll have to start with Cadell, here. And we’ll do it slowly, Ware, a piece at a time. A finger, an ear, maybe even an eye — just to make sure that Clare understands how serious I am.”
Ware’s knees threatened to buckle, but he forced himself to stand and face the cruel man whom he had called his kin.
“You’ll not cut off my fingers!” Cadell said, struggling against the man who was binding him. “Not unless I cut off your balls first!”