Chapter Thirteen
“Good God!” Malcolmexclaimed at seeing a dozen men, some seated, some lying down, all in chains.
They were greeted by those who were able, but some merely groaned.
“Are you all royalists?” Malcolm asked, stooping down to start the task of freeing them.
A few answered warily in the affirmative, but it didn’t really matter. Malcolm couldn’t leave them there to die. He had unchained three men when the footsteps of their pursuers arrived in the tunnel. Instead of rescuing everyone, it was more likely Malcolm and Versanne would end up joining these hapless souls. He could only hope the Imperial Guard would have the decency to take Serena back to the surface.
Just outside the cave, Versanne was in conversation with them, and a moment later, two men entered the dark cavern. Malcolm had already drawn his pistol.
“The Fox sent us,” the first one said.
Behind Malcolm, a cheer came up from the men with enough strength to do so. And suddenly, the notion of shooting his way out or being imprisoned in the catacombs gave way to relief.
Working with the others, he helped unchain the rest. Serena had already gone to wait with Versanne, and by the time Malcolm left the cavern, helping one man to walk, she was seated beside his gruff associate, making him laugh.
“Now that I see the state of these poor souls,” Versanne said, “I am thankful they kept me with in the other chamber with the old bones.” He chuckled. “Can you believe they thoughtIwas the Fox?”
Some went silent, some chuckled with him. Malcolm wasn’t sure any of them knew the answer to that mystery. He certainly didn’t.
“Do you think there are more prisoners?” Serena asked, drawing all eyes to her.
Malcolm felt a surge of pride and protectiveness, as if she were his.
One of the men answered her. “The Fox said about a dozen have gone missing.”
“Then this is all,” Malcolm said. “Let’s get to the surface.”
“I think you and your lady friend have done enough,” Versanne said. “We will be a slow lot. You should take her up and away in case we are discovered.”
He looked at Serena who had hope in her verdant eyes that she was about to be set free from this subterranean nightmare.
Malcolm offered her his hand, which she took. Drawing her to her feet, he nodded to Versanne. “I’ll speak with you tomorrow at the usual place if you’re well enough.”
And then he led her away with the sounds of cheering and even a few bawdy words called after them. Malcolm rolled his eyes.The French!
***
SERENA STOOD IN THEchilly night air and breathed in great gasps, still clutching Malcolm’s strong arm. She never wanted to let go.
“I know there was plenty of air down there,” she said, noticing him staring at her. “But from the moment I descended those endless circular stairs, I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. The less so, the deeper I went.”
“Then you were doubly courageous. You never seemed panicked.”
“Knowing you were down there, I couldn’t walk away and let that guard lock you in.”
He drew her into his arms. “Have you breathed enough fresh air?” he asked softly.
“Why?”
“Because I want to kiss you, and I would hate to make you faint. I’ve already lugged Versanne around for the past half hour. I don’t want to carry you all the way back to the Rue Coquillière.”
She smiled. “I’m lighter than Monsieur Versanne. Is that his name?”
“Dammit!” Malcolm exclaimed. “Alone with you for one minute, and I’ve already broken the sacred trust of my organization.”
