With a curse on his lips and eyes wide in alarm, Keir hurried to stand in the opening, failing in his attempt to block their view as he urged Skye to take the door to their right.
“Skye?” A tall man with a deep voice and a tone far too intimate to suit Noah separated himself from a group of men and walked toward them. “Surprising to find you here.”
They both halted as Skye looked past Keir, quickly masking the flash of regret on her face while Keir, with his back to the man and his followers, visibly cringed.
“Austin,” she smiled tightly. “How nice to see you again. I heard you were here, but I thought you were in meetings with my father.”
The man was leaner than Noah had imagined, with close-cropped hair and an expression of calculated privilege on a face that bore the stamp of Paige’s features but held none of her softness or warmth. He carried himself with a wary confidence, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. His clothes were of far better quality than those worn by the men raucouslyindulging in their meal. There was something almost refined about him, but at the same time, profoundly dangerous. The impression was punctuated by a wicked-looking knife that hung at his belt, its wooden hilt worn smooth by frequent handling.
“On my way there now,” he said, brushing past Keir and Noah to take Skye’s hand. Rather possessively, Noah noted. “But you know my visits here are never just to meet with your father.”
The implication hung in the air as Skye extracted her hand and nodded toward Noah. “Austin, this is Noah Wheeler. He’s?—”
“Just passing through,” Noah interjected, not ready to divulge his relationship to Paige just yet. “And fortunate enough to garner a brief respite here.”
Keir moved closer, frowning at Austin. “Under my charge, of course. As you’re aware, no one roams the Citadel alone.” He looked around. “And it appears you’ve somehow lost your escort. As soon as we have our other guest settled, I can return and show you to the meeting room.”
“No need,” Austin’s smile was almost predatory. “I’m familiar with where they are, and Skye can escort me there.” He took her hand once more and tucked it beneath his arm. “Shall we, my dear? I’m eager to discuss my plans for a rather lengthy visit where we can spend a good deal more time together.” He leaned closer. “I believe your father wishes it as much as we do.”
“Perhaps another time,” Skye smiled weakly. “I’ve a previous commitment at the moment.”
Austin gave Noah a loose appraisal before turning back to Skye. “Nothing that Keir can’t handle, I’m sure. When I was here last, your father assured me you and I would dine together on my return. I’m looking forward to that…and more.” He placed his free hand possessively over hers on his arm as he looked down at her. “As you can imagine, I’ve been looking forward to collecting on that promise. Both your father and I would be gravely disappointed if it were somehow disrupted.”
Noah could see Skye visibly submit. Her earlier confidence and control seemed to wilt under Austin’s dominance. With a sigh, Skye sent Noah a look he couldn’t quite decipher, perhaps somewhere between helplessness and an apology.
He tensed, ready to intercede when Keir’s hand shot out to grasp his arm. “Be still,” he whispered low. “Do not bring her father’s wrath down on her head with more disobedience.”
Noah watched them walk away, Skye’s shoulders tense as Austin chatted on. It was all he could do to stand still and watch her leave. Especially with Paige’s traitorous and clearly controlling brother.
“Let it be,” Keir advised as he led Noah down a different corridor to his chamber. “Whatever you’re thinking will only hurt Skye. If you want to help her, then you must trust her to do what she feels is necessary.”
Noah felt the flex of muscle in his jaw and realized his fists were still curled at his sides. Protective instincts, he told himself. But he knew it was a jagged shard ofjealousythat had stabbed him in the gut. It was like nothing he’d experienced before.
He didn’t like it. He didn’t like it one bit.
For the first time since he and Emily had landed in this other-world, Noah was at a loss. What was he supposed to do with such a weak and useless emotion? How would that help Emily? How did it get him closer to finding the portal?
It wasn’t as if he had options. He was, in fact, a prisoner here. Subject to the whims of The Keeper and now forced to endure those of a man who’d proven over and over that he lacked any hint of a moral compass. One who clearly had his greedy sights set on Skye. How long before he would destroy her, too?
With extreme difficulty, Noah forced himself to set his feelings for Skye aside for the moment and review and catalogue everything he’d seen and learned. If Austin and his ragtag band truly worked for The Keeper, that explained many things. WithThe Keeper’s resources, spies to be more accurate, it wouldn’t be that hard to keep track of when the crops were ready for harvesting in Havenwood and where the guards were posted. Or when they were low on supplies or had other weaknesses to exploit. And how The Others always seemed to be one step ahead of the village’s defenses.
A disturbing thought struck him regarding that strange, inhuman howl that had stopped The Others’ attack in the forest. Could Austin have had something to do with that? Had he possibly recognized Taran and Finn? Had the Keeper known they were coming here all along? If so, Austin knew exactly who Noah was and why he was here.
And what of Austin’s relationship with Skye? Were they as close as Austin would have him believe? Had she been informed of their imminent arrival as well and been directed to send them away? If so, why had the Keeper agreed to let them bring Emily back here? Or…had he? Was having Emily treated here one of Skye’s acts of rebellion they would all pay for? Especially Emily?
Too many unanswered questions.
And despite the leanings of his misguided heart, he knew it was foolish to trust her.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As night settled around the Citadel, shadows flickered across Noah’s chamber floor from a single candle. Sleep eluded him. Every creak of ancient timber, every distant voice in the corridors kept his senses alert as he paced, counting stones in the walls, measuring the dimensions of his confinement with restless strides. Anything to take his mind off trying to make sense of Austin’s presence and what it meant for their plans.
Paige’s brother being here changed everything, and Noah was desperate to evaluate the level of danger to his family before they arrived. Why was he here? What exactly was his business with The Keeper? Had he been instrumental in the attack in the forest? Did he know their purpose for coming here? Did he intend to finish the job when they arrived? Or were his sights set solely on Skye?
Each of the options churned uncomfortably in his stomach.
A soft knock at his door pulled him from his thoughts. He instinctively reached for a weapon that wasn’t there. Cursing his helplessness, he crossed the room quietly, cautiously, every muscle on alert.
