The Baron's Gargoyle by Cassandra Pierce

Author:Cassandra Pierce [Pierce, Cassandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Cassandra Pierce
Published: 2016-12-22T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

“You have a most uncommon way of showing your affection, my lord.” Delphas turned his head just enough for his eyes to meet Jothan’s. The sharp edge of Jothan’s broadsword pressed against the tender flesh of his neck.

It occurred to Jothan that drawing blood might provide an additional clue to Delphas’s identity, since he doubted that a malevolent spirit or demon would bleed the rich red blood of a lord’s nephew. Yet actually harming Delphas, even by so little, filled him with such guilt that he abandoned the idea. He was still painfully aware of his naked flesh nestled against Delphas’s, his desire throbbing in spite of everything he now knew and suspected.

“I should think you, above all men, would appreciate my methods,” he finally said, keeping his tone gruff. He knew better than to show weakness, whatever or whoever Delphas turned out to be. Yet the deception made his heart squeeze in a way it never had when he had vanquished countless other enemies. “After all, you are a noble warrior, the nephew of a great lord, and a brave squire. Courting a lover by the sword should not seem so unusual to you.”

Delphas sighed, averting his eyes. His body seemed to sag into the mattress. Jothan tensed, aware that this display might be a trick to get him to relax his guard. He had no intention of becoming the one under the sword.

“How did you find out?” Delphas asked.

“I uncovered a ledger. Written by your uncle’s steward.”

“Ah, yes. I remember Cuthbert. A rather meticulous sort. My uncle preferred that in a steward, but I found him a bit overbearing.” He sighed again. “I had no idea his book had survived the carnage. How like him to make sure it was preserved. He took great pride in his writing. He would have thrived in a monastery, copying manuscripts.”

“What became of him? The book mentioned only that he planned to flee with the others. Did he survive his escape?”

“I admit I know not. I hope so, for much as I did not like the man at times, I would not wish the sort of death on him that my lady aunt doubtless planned. Perhaps he did find his way to a monastery.”

“What were they fleeing from?” Jothan’s hand tensed on his sword hilt. Now that he was finally in a position—so to speak—to receive answers, he was determined not to let go until he had asked every question that had tormented his mind for the last three days. “Assassins? Invaders? Demons?” he choked a bit on the last word, feeling a fresh pang of regret to think that Delphas might be any of these.

Again Delphas paused. His body tensed as his mood darkened. “Demons would be the closest cousins to the foul creatures she set upon this castle. I had no idea she hated my uncle so much. Still less had I any thought that her sorcery could be so powerful.”

“What sort of creatures?” Could he be referring to

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