Zeke flicked a last glance at Peters. Instinct told him the game master was a dead-end. He had no notion where Kitty had gone.
He turned to Caden. “Can you deal with this?”
Caden nodded once, crossed his arms over his chest, and eyed Peters. “Hastings isn’t dead. We found him in this condition not five minutes ago. You say he and his sister were here earlier?”
Zeke crouched beside Randall who had taken over tending Collin’s wounds. “Did you get anything out of him?”
Randall shook his head. “No, and we haven’t much time. Whoever did this didn’t stop at one thrust. He’s lost a lot of blood.”
Zeke smacked Hastings’ graying face to bring him ’round.
“Hastings, you worthless piece of dog excrement. Do something right for once in your life. Tell me where Kitty is. She needs your help.”
Hastings’ eyes opened and focused on Zeke’s face. “James took her.” He gasped a shallow breath. “Plans to marry her…today. Had papers. Stabbed me. I don’t understand.”
Zeke cursed. “You were never part of his plan, you idiot, except the part where he got rid of you permanently. Where is this so-called marriage to take place? Hurry, man,” Zeke demanded through bared teeth.
“Priory church. Hill top,” Hastings wheezed.
Randall put a hand on Zeke’s shoulder. “Go.”
He met his friend’s eyes briefly in thanks, then ran all out for the alley exit.
***
Her head ached and she wanted to sleep, but something kept dragging her awake.
“I said wake up.” A sharp crack of a hand against her cheek punctuated the harshly spoken words.
Kitty’s eyes squinted open. Her head swam at the intrusion of light, or maybe it was the pain reverberating in her jaw. She moaned.
“There you are. You were about to miss your wedding.” Two Garricks smiled down at her.
She took a slow, cleansing breath and replayed his words. About to miss your wedding. Marry Garrick? She wouldn’t.Zeke. If only he were here. He would swoop in, carry her out of here, love her…
Her eyes drifted closed.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Garrick gave her a rough shake. “The priest is waiting. A pretty penny he cost me, to boot.”
“Priest?” Kitty peeled open her gritty eyes and glanced around. She was half laid out on a window bench in a small, wood paneled room. It seemed an office or waiting room of some sort. How had she gotten here?
She pushed herself onto her elbows. Images rushed her mind. “Collin,” she said in a panic. “Where is he?”
“Finally you’re asking the right question. Your brother’s in a safe place. But he won’t remain so if you don’t accompany me down the aisle this instant,” Garrick hissed.
Collin had badly mistreated her. He’d been more than willing to sacrifice her future for his own selfish gain. He was weak and undisciplined. But none of that altered the fact he was her brother, whom she loved fiercely.
How had they left him? She vaguely recalled Collin helping Garrick drag her to the alley, and then…nothing. “What have you done with him?”
“Nothing permanent. Yet. But defy me, and I promise you, he’ll pay with his life.”
She drew a shaky breath and sat up. Her mind was clearing, even as her head throbbed with a nauseating ache. “How do I know you have Collin? How do I know he’s not simply visiting another gaming hell?”
Garrick barked out a harsh laugh. “You have learned a thing or two, haven’t you? You’ll have to take my word for it. Oh, and there is this.” He held up his right hand. Flashed the gold ring he wore. Her grandfather’s pinkie ring—the one Collin earlier swore never to relinquish.
She chirped in alarm, covering her mouth with her hand.
Garrick smiled in satisfaction. “I see you comprehend the seriousness of the matter. Now on your feet.”
