“He’s goin’ to pry it out o’ ye, one way or another.”
“Who?”
“Rivenloch.All he has to do is pick up that bloody axe o’ his, and ye’ll be screamin’ my name all the way to the garderobe.”There was a sudden heavy impact, like the prior punching the wall, followed by a squeak from the physician.“But then ye know what happens?I tell them about your crime.They’ll be interested to learn ye’re a godforsaken murderer.”
The physician choked on outrage.“God’s eyes!Ye said it yourself.They were goin’ to die anyway.I only put them out o’ their misery.”
“I don’t think the law will see it that way.Which means ye’re goin’ to die.Probably by hangin’.’Tis an ugly death, as I’m sure ye know.Ye’ll piss your trews, and ye might strangle for an hour.So here’s what I’m offerin’.I’m goin’ to… How did ye say it?Put ye out o’ your misery.”
The physician gasped.
“But I’m a forgivin’ man.It seems ye haven’t given Rivenloch my name…yet.So I’m goin’ to give ye a choice.Ye can either brew yourself a toxic concoction and die by your own hand, or I can slit your throat and leave ye bleedin’.”
“Wait!”the physician barked in panic.“Wait,” he repeated, clearly trying to calm himself.“Listen to me.I’ve said nothin’ to Rivenloch.I swear.Absolutely nothin’.I stashed the guildsman’s jewels away where I always do.And the treasure was right where ’tis always been.”
“Are ye sure about that?”
“O’ course I’m sure.Come.I’ll prove it to ye.I’ll take ye there now.”
Troye lifted his head, suddenly alert.
Carenza coiled her hand in the hound’s collar.She braced her other hand on the rim of the wooden tub behind which she was crouched and listened.
That had to be Peris.Once word got back to him that the artifacts were missing, he’d surely come to see for himself.Whether he would come with his accomplice, she didn’t know.But one or both of them would likely flee once they discovered their crime was uncovered and their treasure confiscated.
With Troye by her side, she had the might and courage to face the outlaws before they were able to escape.The loyal hound was ferocious of growl, sharp of fang, and fiercely protective.The two of them could keep the thieves cornered until help could be summoned.
At the first rattle of the lock, Troye started growling.
The door swung open.
The hound immediately snapped and lunged at the two men—Peris and the prior.
The prior cursed.
Peris yelped in panic.
Carenza hauled back with all her might to keep the hound from charging.
The thieves would have exited back the way they came, but suddenly an immense figure filled the doorway.Hew stood glowering at the entrance, brandishing his axe before him.
Unfortunately, Carenza was caught in the backlash.
Peris, more threatened by Troye than a Viking, started kicking at the hound.
The hound caught the physician’s calf between his teeth and began thrashing.
Screaming in pain, the physician wrenched a sconce from the wall and bashed it against the hound’s jaw.
Troye went down with a whimper and was silent.
Carenza cried out.But before she could rush to the poor hound’s side, the prior grabbed her arm and flung her against the wall.The impact sent stars exploding across her vision.Then she felt the cold, hard steel of a blade against her throat.
“Let me go,” the prior said, “or I’ll slit her throat.”
“She’s done nothing,” Hew said tightly.“Your battle is with me.”
“My battle is with anythin’ and anyone who stands in my way,” he corrected, prodding her hard enough with the point of his dagger to draw blood.
