Welcome Home (Alternate Worlds Book 3) by Leigh Taylor

Author:Leigh, Taylor [Leigh, Taylor]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-02-25T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Andrew hadn’t been gone half a day when Assad unceremoniously ducked his head in. His eyes were shining in such a nervously excited way it sent her stomach tight.

‘What’s going on?’

Assad licked his lips. ‘Think you had better have a look.’ Without permission, he trotted across her room and dipped his head the direction of the balcony.

Now that he’d brought her attention to it, Victoria became aware of a growing commotion. She pushed herself up from her reading and darted to the window; not liking what she saw.

‘Marus found Noel.’ Assad gave her a look.

Marus had indeed found Noel; now they were below with quite an audience of palace regulars, and, beyond, flocked by as many curious citizens that could see through the bars of the gates. Ramses was there as well, with his acolytes and Lucinda; their flags and symbols strewn over every available space possible, as if advertising their presence.

Someone somewhere whistled.

The two men were facing off like dogs in a pit and Victoria felt a dreadful knot form tighter in her belly. Marus was a fighter by trade but something about the situation still made her uncomfortable.

Yet while Noel and Marus were the centre of attention, it was Ramses who was doing the speaking. The words floated up.

‘The time of change is upon us. A time of inexplicable things ushering us into a new age. An age of power. An age of gods.’

Some muttering.

Marus shifted warily.

‘We have been given a great opportunity. Now, see what we have before us: Noel, fallen from the stars and here as a witness what new power is right at our door.’

Dramatically, he stepped to one side yet Noel remained unmoving. Victoria couldn’t see his expression from her distance but his stance didn’t give her any impression of pleasure.

Ramses struck his staff hit against the stone. Noel glowered; then turned, very slowly, to fix his attention on Marus. He did not move, far as Victoria could see, yet there was a shift about him, much like the coiling of a snake.

Marus looked ready to bolt, but seemed unable to. Discouragingly, he dropped to his knees. The man hadn’t touched him, but inexplicably Marus was down.

Victoria stared. ‘What’s he done?’

Assad groaned. ‘Something’s wrong.’

‘We have to go.’ Victoria couldn’t imagine the repercussions towards Andrew if Noel had worked out he’d put Marus on to tail him. But it was a long way down to the courtyard, with so many staircases and halls, by the time they got there they could completely miss whatever was about to happen.

Assad must have thought the same. He grabbed her arm. ‘Too dangerous. Stay here.’ He winced at the impropriety. ‘Please?’

Victoria had long ago dismissed properness. She stood, torn, before relenting. He was right. What could she do? She slumped back to the railing.

Noel was circling Marus now, like a big cat; his muscles rolling beneath his light tunic, discernible even at the distance. Marus was submissive, on his knees, head bent. If he was watching Noel, it was only in the meekest way possible.

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