“Samantha?”
She glanced up from where she crouched, still wiping her blade on Roy’s jacket. “I slashed his Achilles. Shouldn’t bother us further.”
Adrian stared at her for a second, then blinked. He supposed it wasn’t much worse than him dislocating Blade Slasher’s knee. “Good job. We still ought to restrain them. Especially him.” He pointed at the man he’d punched. “So he doesn’t give us more trouble when he comes to.”
“We can probably find something to use in the wardrobe.” Samantha crossed to the piece of furniture, her foot stepping down hard on Roy when he made a grab for her ankle. He groaned and fell back with a curse.
Adrian glanced around. No sign of the whore who’d initially been here. She must have snuck out during the fight. He grabbed the shirt and scarf Samantha offered and began tying Roy’s wrists together behind his back.
It didn’t take long before the three men were rendered immobile.
“Let’s take a closer look at that wardrobe.” Adrian knew it was hiding something. The thump he’d heard had come from within. He pushed the clothing aside and patted his palms across the back until it wobbled beneath his touch. “There’s something here. False backing, I think.”
“Are you able to move it?”
He felt for the edges, found a small lip he could catch hold of with his fingertips, and pulled. It was heavy, but it came away without too much effort. He swung it sideways and propped it against the interior wall, then bent for a closer look at what he’d uncovered.
An opening large enough for a grown man to fit through if he crouched greeted him. Beyond was nothing but darkness.
“Hallo?” Nobody answered. He glanced at Samantha. “We’ll need to find a candle or something.”
“I think I saw an oil lamp in one of the rooms. I’ll fetch it.”
Adrian retrieved the flint he kept in his pocket and was ready to light the lamp when Samantha returned moments later. He turned it up all the way and carried it into the wardrobe. The light spilled through the darkness beyond. Something moved, scraping along the rough flooring, as if seeking safety amid the shadows.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said. Rapid breathing hissed through the air. “Isak?”
Still nothing. He withdrew a little, met Samantha’s determined gaze. “I’m not sure he’s in there, butsomebody is, and I’m thinking they might be less frightened of you.”
They switched positions. Samantha took the oil lamp and crawled through the opening. “Don’t worry. You’re safe now.”
Her voice was gentle, soothing, even though she choked the next time she tried to speak. Adrian followed her into the space and instantly realized why. There, in the far corner of the narrow room, was Isak. He lay on his side, curled up into a tiny ball, eyes closed. The light falling upon his face displayed a series of cuts and bruises.
Six other children, girls and boys of varying ages, were huddled beside him, all clinging together. The lack of sound they made was far worse than if they’d been crying. Terror was painted upon their young faces, the abhorrent cruelty they’d been subjected to flooding Adrian with a violent need to avenge them.
Hell, it felt like his skull might explode he was so bloody angry.
But that wouldn’t do. Not here. Not now.
So he took control of the demons inside him and told the children calmly, “We’re getting you out of this place and making sure you’re properly cared for from now on. All right?”
It took a second before one of the older looking children – a girl – nodded. “Tha…thank you.”
Christ. His eyes stung and his heart ached so much he could scarcely bear it.
He cleared his throat and reached for Isak. Hisintention was to pull him into his arms, but he snatched his hands back when the boy’s eyes flew open on a broken sob.
“It’s just us,” Samantha told him, her voice soothing. “Mr. and Mrs. Croft.”
“Ca…can’t move,” Isak rasped. “Hurts.”
“Where?” Adrian asked.
“My…shoulder. Wycliff….” The faint sound of crying followed.
Adrian clenched his jaw, his thoughts already straying to what he would do when he left this place.
He tried to ignore his bloodthirsty inclinations for the moment and told Isak gently, “We’ll have to get out of here if we’re to fix it. This isn’t a very nice place, Isak. Is it? I’m sure you don’t want to stay.”
