Of all the answers Baird had expected, this one was not it. The scout met his gaze for a heartbeat, just long enough for something like grim conviction to surface beneath the fear.
“I’ll face yer fist, yer blade, yer rage,” the man whispered. “But I will nae face theirs.”
Baird straightened slowly. He said nothing for several breaths, studying the man who would say no more even as blood dripped from his jaw and bruises bloomed under his skin. Of all things, the stubborn loyalty struck a chord he had not expected.
A man who would not betray his own clan. Even Baird, whose world had begun to fracture under the weight of treachery, could respect that. Even if it damned them both.
“Very well. Ye’ll keep yer tongue… fer now.”
The scout exhaled.
“But hear me,” Baird added, stepping close enough that the scout felt his breath. “I will find him, yer inside man. The one who took me braither from me. The one ye’re protecting. And when I dae…” His eyes hardened to steel. “Hell itself will envy him.”
A tremor ran through the prisoner’s frame. Yet his silence remained. It was the silence of a man prepared to die.
—
My dear reader,
I apologize for the interruption…
But you just stumbled upon a SECRET GIFT!
And if you download this book for free, you’ll get a ONCE ONLY opportunity to join my ARC group.
This means MORE GIFTS! Because you’ll be getting books of mine and other authors of the genre one week ahead of release and for FREE.
The only thing you need to do is use the link below and download the book!
I’ll reply in your inbox to let you know the details.
So, what do you think? Will you join me on this reading adventure? The clock is ticking…
Just click on the link!
CHAPTER 22
The corridor outside the dungeon felt colder than the cell itself. Baird climbed the stone steps with each footfall heavier than the last, as the scout’s words echoed behind his ribs like a curse carved into bone.
He emerged into the keep’s hall, where torchlight flickered warm against the walls, but warmth did nothing to reach him. Kenny stood at the top of the stairs, waiting.
“What did he say?” Kenny asked quietly.
Baird brushed past him. “Naething useful.”
Kenny frowned. “Baird?—”
“I said naething useful,” Baird repeated.
Kenny watched him for a long heartbeat, then nodded, stepping aside. Baird walked on. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat now. Every sound, every movement and every quiet corner felt like a place where betrayal could breathe.
His father’s voice rose in memory, cold and merciless.
Ye never watch close enough, lad. Ye soften. And weakness kills.
He hated that the old ghost still had teeth.
In the great hall, a pair of guards straightened. “Me laird, shall we change the rota fer the south patrol?”
