Page 50 of The Last Knight

He grimaced. “I am keeping the darkness away…”

“Why didn’t you force it away when it was killing the Torants? Admit it, you have lost control over it. That was the most heartless, cruel thing I have ever witnessed.” Aubrey couldn’t stop the tears. “I want to go home.”

Lowering his arms, Gunther hung his head. “I cannot take you Aubrey, not without bringing the darkness with me. It is over for me. It is only a matter of time before I will be consumed by it and lost.”

“And you’re going to accept it? Not fight it?”

“The others refused to help me. I don’t blame them; I probably don’t deserve their help. What else can I do?”

His Dutch-accented words were full of sorrow tinged with fear. Aubrey could not imagine how he felt.

“I want to help you, but I have no idea how. What can I do Gunther? I have no magic training, no abilities and yes, my friends won’t help.”

His blue eyes met hers. “There is no one to blame but me. I agreed to Meliot’s terms thinking I was doing good. Thinking I was being heroic.” He barked out a dejected laugh. “What a fool I was.”

“You were being a hero,” Aubrey said. “You thought you were helping your warriors to survive. It is Meliot who is to blame.”

She thought about the other two items in the cloak, neither seemed to be appropriate for such a formidable opponent. What could she do with a stupid little bowl and a six-inch dagger? She reached up and removed the pendant from around her neck and held it out. “Would this help in any way?”

He took it, studied it and then held it in his hand, concentrating in silence. “The only magic it gives is to transform whoever wears it. You should keep it for protection,” he said handing it back. Aubrey stuffed it into one of the cloak’s pockets.

“Is there a magic here? Someone who knows spells?” Aubrey asked.

Gunther started to shake his head and then stopped. “The only one I know of is in Esland. I cannot go near there; they have wards against anyone approaching.”

“Can I?” Aubrey asked. “What about Sterling? Will he help?”

“He will not interfere in things having to do with the darkness. It violates Esland laws, and it puts his people at risk.”

That was understandable. Sterling ruled a huge realm that had survived centuries by being virtually impenetrable.

“Come, you can speak to Sterling at what used to be my home. I will summon him there. We will ask him to help you return.”

“What about helping you?”

Gunther shook his head. “I’m afraid it is too late for me.”

Meeting her gaze, he held out his hand. “Trust me. Not always, but right now.”

Aubrey hesitated, for a beat. She had no other recourse but to trust him. Despite everything, she believed Gunther was there and fighting to keep control over the darkness.

Their hands touched and she wanted to throw herself against him, to seek the shelter and safety of his embrace, but pictures of what he’d just done, even if it wasn’t him, were too fresh.

Gunther seemed to understand. He kept his distance. “Close your eyes. Do not open them until I say.”

The ground shifted under her feet. Aubrey almost screamed, but she held her breath for some reason and squeezed her eyes tighter.