Page 13 of Midnight Shadow

He’ll kill me, she thought again and again. He’ll kill me this time if he catches me. Just like he killed Widow Anderson.

Instinct brought her to her horse, which remained tethered to the branch of the tree. She pulled herself up onto the horse’s back and immediately turned the animal toward the safety of her father’s lands. All she needed to do was get to Delaney lands and she would be safe. Kenric was chasing her on foot. And now she was on horseback. She’d make it.

But the horse whinnied angrily as its head jerked forward.

The reins were still wrapped around the branch! Bria grabbed hold of the leather straps and pulled frantically, trying to free them, but they became more entangled around the branch. With a howl of fear and frustration, she tore the straps free, yanking the small branch from the tree. She spurred the horse away as a threatening shadow crashed through the wall of bushes beside her.

The steed reared and Bria almost fell, but she clung tightly to the horse’s mane, keeping herself in the saddle. The horse raced away over the land, knowing the way back to Castle Delaney by heart -- a lucky thing, because Bria’s hands were trembling so badly she couldn’t have steered the animal if she wanted to. She urged her horse on, spurring it hard until she broke free of the forest. They raced over a small hill, galloping at a breakneck pace toward the castle.

Soon Castle Delaney loomed before her, but Bria didn’t feel relieved. Fear held her in a tight embrace, erasing all other thoughts. She spurred her horse below the portcullis, ignoring the guard’s call. As soon as they reached the inner ward she dismounted, practically throwing herself from the saddle. Her feet hit the ground first. Then she fell forward, landing on her hands and knees. For a long moment, she stayed that way, trembling fiercely, struggling to catch a breath, willing her pounding heart to slow down.

Kenric will kill me if he finds me.

He killed Widow Anderson. He murdered her in cold blood!

Mary! Bria quickly stood and took a step toward her horse, lifting her foot into the stirrups. But then she froze. Kenric would be waiting for her at the edge of the east woods. He’d know she would come back.

How can I not go back for Mary? He might hurt her. He might kill her!

Guilt and terror at what she had done, at what she was doing, weighed heavily on her shoulders.

She’d left Mary alone in the woods.

Suddenly, Bria bolted into the keep. She raced up a set of spiral stairs and down the hall. Garret would help her, she was sure of it. He’d return to the woods and search for Mary with her. She ran as fast as she could, finally skidding to a halt before his door.

Bria lifted her hand to knock, but suddenly froze, her hand raised in the air. He’d tried to protect her against Kenric a long time ago, but he hadn’t been strong enough.

And now Kenric was even more evil.

What if Garret were hurt, or even killed, because of her?

Bria lowered her hand. She couldn’t risk his life. She turned and raced down the stairs. She would get Jason of Victors, the captain of the guard, and bring a dozen men with her.

She could only pray Mary would remain safe until then.

Chapter five

Garret emerged from the stables, adjusting his stockings. He glanced back over his shoulder at the wench sitting on a pile of hay, pulling her dress up over her ample bosom. He paused at the door to admire those luscious curves. She glanced up and caught him staring at her. She grinned and purposely dropped her top, leaning back so her breasts jutted out at him in invitation.

Garret chuckled low in his throat. “Wanton wench,” he murmured. But he resisted the stirrings in his loins. He needed a few hours sleep if he was to meet Bria come dawn. He shook his head, laughing pleasantly. The women at Castle Delaney had always been very accommodating.

He headed toward the keep, passing through the empty courtyard, whistling softly. As he approached the keep, the simple song died on his lips. A horse stood unattended in the middle of the inner ward. A scowl crossed his brow.

He approached the horse, patting its neck lightly. The horse whinnied and tossed its head. The reins jerked up with the movement before settling back to dangle over the animal’ s neck. Something on the end of the reins caught Garret’s attention, something heavy enough to weigh down the leather straps.

Garret grabbed the bridle and patted the horse’s neck again before picking up the reins. A branch was tangled in the leather straps. He worked the straps free and inspected the branch for a moment before tossing it aside.

The courtyard was empty. How strange, he thought. Whose horse was this?

Garret stepped up the first stair to the keep when suddenly the door flew open. Bria emerged from the double doors and their gazes locked immediately. A smile began to form on Garret’s lips at seeing her, but ceased when he read the distress in her eyes. Her usually bright blue eyes were wide with fear. Her complexion was pale. Something was terribly wrong.

Garret bounded up the two steps to her side and took her hands in his. “Bria, what is it? What’s happened?”

“Mary.” Bria glanced over his shoulder toward the gatehouse. “We were in the east woods and Kenric...” She turned those wide, blue eyes to him. “Kenric killed an old woman. And... I’m afraid for Mary.”

“Where?” Garret demanded, straightening. “Where in the east woods? Where is Mary?”

Bria struggled to pull free of his grip. “I need to find Jason. I need to call out the guards and go look for Mary.”