The Temple of Forgotten Secrets (After The Rift Book 4) by C.J. Archer

Author:C.J. Archer [Archer, C.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: www.cjarcher.com
Published: 2019-12-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Vierney presented me on one of the castle balconies like a new bride. Down below, no one noticed.

It was chaos. The splintered wooden gate hung from its hinges and villagers streamed through, brandishing clubs and knives, shouting incoherently. Mounted palace guards struck down the Deerhorn guards without hesitation. In the village, they had used the hilts of their weapons. Here, they used the blades.

Blood soaked the ground. No amount of straw strewn over the earth could soak it up. Almost all of it came from the bodies of Deerhorn men.

"Merdu," Lord Deerhorn muttered in wonder. "So many."

"Get their attention," Lady Deerhorn barked at Vierney. "Show them the midwife with your blade at her throat."

Vierney's knife pressed into the flesh beneath my ear. I struggled, but my attempts were pathetic, useless. His strong arm across my chest locked me in place.

"Stop or I'll cut her!" His shout drifted on the wind, drowned out by the battle cries of the villagers.

I searched the palace guards, but none of the figures was Dane's tall, commanding one. He wasn't among them.

I started to chuckle but it quickly swelled and became a throaty, hearty laugh. "He outsmarted you," I said to my captors. "He knew you would use me to force him to tell you where the gem is, so he stayed away. You can't manipulate him if he's not here. There's no point threatening to kill me."

"Perhaps," Lady Deerhorn sneered. "But we can actually kill you."

My laughter died. "Then you won't get the gem."

"We'll get it another way. Vierney, slit her throat."

"No!" I screamed.

The point of the knife bit into my flesh.

Thud.

Vierney jolted and shoved me forward, into the balustrade. His blade scratched my throat, but not enough to draw blood. His push, however, propelled me onto the balustrade and over it.

I screamed again. Far below, people looked up. I could just make out their horrified faces as I teetered on the edge.

I tried to maneuver my body and grasp the stone balustrade but with my hands tied and my position awkward, I couldn't get purchase.

I felt myself falling.

A hand wrapped around my bound wrists and pulled me back then an arm caught me around the waist.

"Merdu, that was close," Quentin said.

It wasn't Quentin who held me, however, it was Dane. He looked utterly relieved.

"Too close," he said, voice trembling.

I gripped the doublet at his chest and let my tears flow unchecked for a moment. I was giddy with relief and my body shook uncontrollably. With a steady breath, I swiped my damp cheeks on my shoulder and offered Dane a smile.

"Thank you," I said, lamely.

He returned my smile with a fleeting one of his own. Then he turned to my captors.

Three palace guards pointed their swords at the three Deerhorns. Vierney lay dead on the balcony floor, a knife buried in the middle of his back. Rhys planted one booted foot on each side of Vierney's body and withdrew the knife. He wiped it on Vierney's sleeve and sheathed it.

"You have to teach me how to do that," Max said to him.

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