“So that’s what this is about? Some kind of twisted vengeance because of the way yer life has turned out?”
“It’s about putting things right!” Eberwyn snapped. “And ye will help me do that.”
“And if I refuse?” he challenged, his jaw tightening.
“If ye refuse,” Alice drawled slowly. “Then our three guests below will have their throats slit and their bodies thrown into the river. How would ye feel about yer lady friend feeding the fishes?”
White hot rage exploded in Oskar’s chest and it was all he could do not to throw himself at Alice, howling in fury. But he knew that’s what she wanted. She already had her knife out and was waiting for his attack. No. He could not afford to play their game. If he was going to find a way to help Lily, Oskar and Magnus, he had to stay calm.
He lifted his chin and glared at Eberwyn. “What do ye want me to do?”
Eberwyn grinned and leaned forward. “Like I said, naught too taxing. A couple of jobs and this will all be over. Firstly, ye are going to make contact with some old friends of yers.”
Chapter 16
Lily had shouted herself hoarse. Her throat burned, but still she wouldn’t give up.
“Hey!” she yelled. “Where is Oskar? What have you done with him? Hey!”
She got the same response that she’d gotten all day. Silence. The cellar door remained stubbornly closed.
“Save yer strength, lass,” Magnus rumbled. “They will bring him back only when they are good and ready.”
She sagged against her chains. “But he’s been gone for hours. What do they want with him?”
“Information, most likely,” Magnus replied. “Information about the Order of the Osprey, just like they tried to get out of Emeric and me. Dinna worry, lass. He willnae tell them anything.”
And when he doesn’t?Lily thought in horror.Will he be dragged back in here like you? Beaten and barely conscious?The thought sent terror skittering through her.
But the hours passed and they didn’t bring him back. Food was brought and the platters taken away again, but the sour-faced guards wouldn’t answer any of the desperate questions Lily fired at them. She heard footsteps moving on the boards above, along with the opening and closing of doors and the low hum of voices, but they were too distant to make out words.
Finally, she heard the click of the lock and the door swung open, admitting one of the guards. She scrambled to her feet.
“Where is he?” she demanded, her voice hoarse from shouting. “What have you done with Oskar?”
The guard just looked at her, expressionless. He was a tall man, with dark hair that fell in greasy strands over his forehead. His eyes were cold and hard, as if he had seen too much in his life to be affected by the plight of one desperate woman.
“Ye are to come with me,” he said dispassionately.
Lily swallowed. “Go with you where?”
The guard shrugged. “Someone wants to see ye.”
Magnus stirred. His chains weren’t long enough for him to stand, but he strained as far forward as he could get.
