Page 105 of Dark Seduction

Malcolm stepped in front of her. “Ah, lady, I have been hopin’ our paths would cross.”

Sibylla paused, alarm flickering in her black eyes. “You can’t be thinking of battle now, here at court. My lord is a favorite of the king. We do not war in the presence of the royals. Here, we have a truce.”

Claire slid her dagger into her hand. Her heart pumped so hard, she felt faint. There was no rational thought now. She had one question: What would happen if she stabbed Sibylla in the heart? Would she die? Her body was human. It would have to let go if all the blood was drained.

Sibylla looked at her, her smile wary. “So much courage, ma doucette? The king will take your head if you take mine.”

Claire heard her, but she didn’t care. If she didn’t destroy Sibylla, she was coming back.

Claire, dinna do it. Not here, with the royal guards in the hall. We’ll find a way, later, when there be no chance o’ public display.

Claire heard Malcolm. She wet her lips. She didn’t care that two guards stood by the entrance to the hall and that nobles were coming and going. “You said you weren’t allowed to kill me.” Her palms were sweating. “I get it now. I know who wants me alive.”

Claire, nay. Malcolm clasped her shoulder.

Leave me be, Malcolm! “But no one has forbidden me from killing you,” Claire cried. And she lunged.

“Claire!” Malcolm shouted, seizing her wrist.

But Claire felt her blade sink into warm, living flesh.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

HOT BLOOD SPURTED over Claire’s hand. Malcolm wrestled her away from the woman. Claire saw that she had missed Sibylla’s heart, but she had stabbed her deeply in her chest. Sibylla reeled, turning pale, and then fury turned her eyes red. Malcolm pushed Claire against the window seat and seized the dagger, wrenching it from Sibylla’s chest.

“Finish her!” Claire screamed.

But chaos erupted in the gallery before Malcolm could do as she wanted. Sibylla pushed past him, apparently intending to run, but the passing noblemen blocked her way and she collapsed against one man. Claire heard footsteps pounding as heated exclamations and accusations began. Suddenly Royce shoved into their midst, seizing Malcolm’s arm. Just as she began to realize what she had done—and what it might mean—she was seized from behind.

She struggled to get free of her captor and Aidan hissed, “Fool!” Instantly she went still, realizing he had grabbed her.

Panting, Claire saw Malcolm and Royce exchange looks as Malcolm dropped the bloody blade. The two royal guards appeared, ordering everyone aside, marching up to Malcolm and Royce. And in that moment Claire finally understood she had made a terrible mistake. “Let me go,” she told Aidan, wondering what was going to happen to her now. She was pretty certain one could not stab a royal guest in the heat of the moment, even if that guest was a demon.

Her gaze met Malcolm’s. He was furious and she heard him as clear as day, even though he did not speak aloud. Ye gave me your word.

“I am sorry,” Claire whispered.

Aidan jerked on her.

Dinna speak another word!

“What happened here?” a guard demanded as the royal steward who had first ushered them into the hall appeared.

“Lady Sibylla has been attacked,” someone said.

Claire began to shake. Before she could confess to her crimes, Blackwood strode through the assembled crowd, his expression ruthless. He took one look at Sibylla and paled. For Claire, his look spoke volumes. He did not hate his possessed sister at all.

Sibylla cried out as Blackwood went to her, taking her into his arms. She was pale and bleeding heavily. Spittle ran from her mouth. Most of the bodice of her red dress was soaked with her blood. She looked at Claire with vicious hatred.

Sibylla wanted to kill her, Claire thought, her heart lurching at the murderous look in the other woman’s eyes.

“I’ll take care o’ her,” Blackwood said, lifting her into his arms.

Claire wanted to scream at him to finish the job. She was pretty certain he was going to get Sibylla medical attention, instead. He strode away, his sister finally fainting.

Malcolm picked up the dagger and looked at the steward. “Here’s the weapon that may have murdered Lady Sibylla,” he said grimly. “I admit to the crime.”

“Arrest him,” the steward snapped.