Kai shook his head. “I dinna understand any of this. What are ye saying?”
She gripped his shirt in her fists and her expression tightened with frustration. “They’re in league with Leif Snarlsson! They’ve been planning this from the start. They want to kill the king and the Order of the Osprey. Gunpowder. In there. Beneath the hall.”
Kai felt his blood run cold. Lorna and Tobias? They were his allies. It couldn’t be true. But the fear in Caitlin’s eyes was real. He glanced at the room behind. It was stacked with crates just like the ones in Alfred’s wagon. Black wires ran from them as if...as if...
His eyes strayed to Caitlin again. She was covered in dirt and soot. There were discarded ropes and a gag lying on the floor inside the room.
And the door had been bolted from the outside.
Fury flashed through him, so hot and consuming that for a moment, he couldn’t think. Without a word, he scooped her into his arms and carried her up the steps to safety.
He could feel Caitlin’s heart pounding against his chest as he carried her through the hallways, one thought and one thought only pounding through his head. He would kill them for what they’d done to her.
“Kai!” Conall’s voice suddenly sounded behind him. He was accompanied by the rest of Kai’s men. “Where are ye going? The council is about to reconvene—” He trailed off as he saw Caitlin in Kai’s arms.
Oskar drew his sword and looked around for enemies. “What happened?” the swordsman growled.
Kai didn’t have time for their questions. He needed to find who’d done this to her and make them pay. But Conall laid a hand on his arm.
“Kai,” he said, his voice urgent. “What is going on?”
“It’s all right,” Caitlin said to Kai. “Put me down.”
He was reluctant to let her go but he followed her instructions. He passed a hand over his face, trying to regain a measure of self-control, then crouched in front of her and took her hands in his own.
“Caitlin,” he said softly, his voice heavy with emotion. “Tell us everything.”
Kai listened incredulously as Caitlin told them what had happened: of Lorna and Tobias’ betrayal, their imprisonment of her, and how she’d managed to douse the fuses before the barrels could explode.
And this woman thought she wasn’t brave? Dear God, she was braver than anyone he’d ever met. When she’d finished speaking, Kai leaned forward and gently pulled her into an embrace, cradling her against his chest like a precious gift.
“Damn them both!” Oskar growled. “We’ll make them pay for this betrayal!”
“Aye,” Kai agreed, anger burning in his stomach like coals. “We will. Magnus, take Caitlin and get out of here. Go to the tavern on Lower Row. Ye should be safe there. Guard her as if yer life depended on it. Conall, go warn Brochan and the others. Secure the undercroft and seal the keep. Nobody is to go in or out. Emeric, Oskar, ye are with me.”
His men nodded in grim determination and Conall hurried off to warn the Order.
Kai brushed his thumb against Caitlin’s cheek. “Go with Magnus,” he said gently. “He’ll keep ye safe.”
Caitlin shook her head. “No way,” she said firmly. “I’m coming with you.”
He stared at her then nodded, respecting her decision. “We need to find Lorna and Tobias,” he said. “And quickly. Before they realize their plan has gone awry.”
“Lord Alasdair,” Caitlin replied. “That’s where they will have gone. Lorna told me herself she wanted him dead. This is their chance. They can finish him off and say he died in the explosion!”
“Then let’s go.”
Almost at a run, he led the way to Lord Alasdair’s chambers. As they moved, they heard commotion behind them as Conall and the Order of the Osprey moved to secure the keep, but in the upper levels it was eerily quiet. Too quiet. It set Kai’s hair on end.
As they reached Lord Alasdair’s rooms, Kai motioned for Caitlin and the others to stay back, then slowly pushed the door open, peering inside. It was empty, with no sign of Lord Alasdair, Lorna or Tobias. Kai cursed.
“The balcony!” Caitlin said suddenly.
Kai nodded and ran down the hallway, his feet pounding against the stone floor in an urgent rhythm. They reached the large wooden door that led to the lord’s balcony and Kai kicked it open without ceremony, sending him spilling into the narrow space.
Lorna and Tobias were indeed there, standing over Lord Alasdair with a servant beside them. Lord Alasdair was trying to sit up in his chair, but he seemed too weak or sick to do so. Tobias had a bowl of steaming soup in one hand and a spoon in the other, pushing it towards Lord Alasdair’s mouth.
Kai snarled in rage and rushed forward. “Stop!”
