Noah’s breath came in uneven bursts as he took in everything Keir was telling them. He pictured Skye the last time he’d seen her, sitting in a chair in the library reading the publication date of that medical book aloud.
2021
He could still see her face—the color draining away, her hands trembling as she’d held the book, her voice breaking as she’d whispered,“It’s from a time far beyond this. Just like you’ve been trying to tell me all along.”
And then he’d let her send him away while she confronted her father alone. Keir was right. Itwashis fault she was missing. She’d be here now if he’d insisted on going with her.
“Someone must hae seen somethin’,” Taran said grimly. “Keir, were ye able tae find and question the guards who were outside The Keeper’s study when Skye arrived? They must hae some knowledge of what happened tae her.”
Keir shook his head. “I tried, but both Austin and The Keeper have given strict orders throughout the stronghold that no one is to speak of internal matters. Their lives and livelihoods literally depend on compliance with The Keeper’s orders. We won’t get anything more out of anyone.”
“I can’t believe this,” Noah protested. “You are the only person here who is loyal to Skye?”
“No,” Keir sighed. “Many here love her and are loyal in their hearts. But I am the only one who doesn’t have a family they’d be putting in danger by acting on their feelings.”
Family. How could Noah blame them for putting their families first when he was doing the same thing? “So where do we go from here?” He glanced around the group. “I say we confront The Keeper.”
He held his ground through the exchange of startled looks.
“As I mentioned earlier,” Keir finally said, his expression grim, “challenging The Keeper is not a good idea. I can guarantee you, you’d only make matters worse.”
“Worse?” Noah’s cry echoed in the still room. “How could they possibly be worse? He’s planning to throw us out at dawn despite my sister’s condition. And Skye has vanished after confronting him about his lies. If he’s hurt her?—”
“Then what? What will you do?” Keir’s voice was quiet but cutting. “I see you’ve acquired three swords, but that gives your no power here. The Keeper controls everything within these walls.Everything. And everyone.”
“We’ll see about that,” Noah growled, pacing to the window as he fought to temper the fury surging through his veins. Finally, he turned back, determined to dosomethingbefore the few hours they had left ran out.
“I want to see The Keeper.” At the shake of Keir’s head, he pressed harder. “I cannot stand by and do nothing while Skye is in danger. While…” he glanced at Emily, “the hours we have left are slipping away.”
“That’s not the answer,” Keir warned. “You’ll only make things worse.”
“Not if I go alone and make it clear my family knows nothing about my being there. If I fail?—”
“Nae,” Taran stated. “We stand together. If ’tis tae be done, we go as one.”
Keir shifted his gaze from Noah to Taran and on to Finn. “I warn you, challenging him is not the answer.”
“Agreed,” Taran replied. “’Tis an insane idea. But ’tis the only one we seem tae have.”
Keir sighed and shook his head in defeat. “Then you’ll leave your weapons here. If he knows you have them, he won’t wait to hear what you have to say.”
The Keeper’sprivate chambers were in the western wing, behind a door of carved oak that spoke of wealth and status. Two guards flanked the entrance, but finally stepped aside when Keir challenged them. Whether from respect or fear, Noah couldn’t tell and didn’t care.
Keir knocked once. “Sir, our…visitors…request an audience.”
There was a pause, then a sharp voice from within. “I’m busy.”
“It’s about your daughter, my lord.”
Another pause, longer this time. “Enter.”
The study was exactly what Noah had expected—opulent, intimidating, filled with artifacts that shouldn’t exist in this time. Strange devices sat alongside ancient texts. Shelves lined the walls displaying treasures from unknown eras.
And behind the massive desk sat The Keeper himself, broad and imposing. He looked up as they entered, his startlingly pale eyes moving over each of them with cold calculation before settling on Keir. “I gave you an order about these people.”
“Yes, sir. To be carried out at dawn,” Keir acknowledged.
Noah heard the slight tremor in his voice and was sure The Keeper had as well.
