So Shines the Night by Tracy Higley

Author:Tracy Higley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2013-01-10T00:00:00+00:00

23

DARIA’S FINAL WALK TO LUCAS’S ESTATE TOOK longer than it should have. Feet dragging and head heavy, she pushed her way through the crowded Harbor Street, without the strength to jostle those who impeded her progress.

The hillside houses seem to overhang the far end of the city like storm clouds, the mountain continuing up behind them like a wall.

She trudged up the stairs, to the street that cut a swath across the hillside below the estate, each step taking her closer to her last moments there.

She could not face Lucas this morning, not wait with patience while he apologized or explained how it would be better for her to leave, how his time was too much taken with business. No, she must slip into the house like a thief, collect her few possessions, and escape before anyone knew she had gone.

Paul’s kindness, the generosity of his friends, soothed some of the rough places in her heart. She was not friendless in the world, it would seem. Perhaps Lucas was right and this was for the best.

At the entrance, she hesitated, a listening ear to the door. Hearing nothing, she opened it slightly and slid into the entry-way. A few steps in she heard raised voices and cursed her timing.

Then there was the shattering of something and a cry.

Daria lunged forward. Had someone been hurt?

Across the courtyard, Lucas was growling something at another man, whose back was to her. And then Lucas spun and stalked away, deeper into the house, and the other man turned sharply toward the door and toward Daria.

He saw her at once. Demetrius’s slow grin chilled her limbs.

She hustled, head down, toward her chamber. It should take only a few minutes to pack her things. Hopefully Demetrius would be well gone by the time she left.

Inside her chamber, she hurried to collect her belongings. She had brought nothing but one scroll with her from Rhodes. Was it fitting to take with her the other things Lucas had purchased? And with no pouch to pack, how would she carry anything—?

“Leaving so soon?”

Daria froze at the cool voice in the open door behind her. She swallowed against the dryness of her mouth, then forced her hands to continue folding the clothing.

But he did not leave. He was behind her, standing too close.

She straightened and faced him. He wore elegant robes in a pale green today, and his satisfied smile gave him the look of a lizard.

“Excuse me, Demetrius.”

He nodded toward the heap on the bed. “You look as though you are running from Hades himself.”

She gave an exasperated little snort—more confidence than she felt. “I should think you would be glad. You have clearly felt my presence here an obstacle to whatever use you have for Lucas.”

“Actually, Lucas is not so useful at all. I had thought his wife’s death would drive him. I did not know it would consume him.” He folded wiry arms across his chest and shrugged. “But then I was one of the few who thought he might be innocent.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.