The Vale_Behind The Vale by Brian D. Anderson

Author:Brian D. Anderson [Anderson, Brian D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Longfire Press
Published: 2018-01-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

They drove in silence for a half an hour, Drake constantly checking behind them for any sign of pursuit. Linx leaned in several times, scrutinizing the prince.

“How did you find me?” Salazar asked Drake.

“Bane,” he replied. “He told me he’d been hired to rescue you.”

“You were working with that maniac?” cried Linx. “You’re even crazier than I thought.”

“You’ve heard of him?”

“Bane? Who hasn’t? He’s Fisk’s top killer. The guy’s killed more people than I can count.”

Drake did not respond. Linx leaned back in her seat, and the prince spent the next minute or so staring silently out of the window.

“Are you all right, Your Highness?” Drake eventually asked.

Salazar smiled over at him. “Yes. I’m fine. Just a bit shaken.”

“Your Highness?” Linx repeated, leaning forward once again. “I thought I recognized you. So that’s why you broke in?” She gave a loud sigh. “I knew I should have stayed behind.”

Drake frowned. “You can get out now if you want.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I’m far away from this mess. And you had better not try to dump me off somewhere.”

The prince turned to face her. “You are quite…spirited, aren’t you? But please, do not be alarmed. You have my word that no harm will come to you. If you travel with Drake, I will consider you a friend and under my protection. Is that acceptable?”

She regarded him closely for a long moment. “Just remember you said that if the magistrate finds us.”

The prince smiled. “I see. A fugitive from justice no doubt. And what is your name?”

“Linx.”

“Well, Linx, as you already know, I am Prince Salazar. And seeing as how I am also a fugitive, I think you can count on my discretion.”

“I should have already mentioned that,” Drake cut in quickly. “Your father has rescinded the warrant.”

Salazar looked at him incredulously. “Are you certain of this?”

“Absolutely.”

A smile of relief slowly formed. “Excellent. So you see, Linx, staying with Drake was the right thing to do after all.”

“And why is that?” she asked.

“Because once we’re back in Troi, I can have you pardoned.”

“About going back,” said Drake. “That might not be quite as easy as you think.”

He went on to tell Salazar of the events leading up to his rescue. The prince listened with keen interest as the entire web of lies and deceit was laid bare, especially the bit about a bomb being hidden in the car.

“I see,” he mused once Drake had finished. “So you think whoever is behind this might try to prevent me from returning?”

“I don’t think I want to find out,” Drake replied. “If it’s Xavier, he’ll be able to watch every way into the city. Of course, I have no idea what other enemies you might have made over the years. Can you think of anyone who would want you dead?”

Salazar laughed. “Only about half of all the noble families. You know how they are. But perhaps I can narrow it down to just a few.” He glanced over to Drake, and his laughter ceased.

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