Page 62 of Dancing On Air

“Hah!” He got up and started pacing the room. “Not if I don’t want them coming after my siblings to try to get me to do the job.”

“None of this is right,” she cried, getting up and walking over to him. “Connor, I don’t want you to be the hangman.” She took his hands in hers.

Just then, the door opened and Raven stuck her head inside the cottage.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but there is someone here for Connor.”

“Not now,”said Connor, angry that anyone was bothering him at a time like this. It was all he could do just to talk with Eleanor. He didn’t want to see anyone else. “Tell them I’m not up for seeing visitors.”

“Uh, I don’t think I can do that,” said Raven, seeming very uncomfortable.

“Why not?” asked Eleanor.

“Because we’re not here for a friendly visit.” A man pushed Raven aside and threw the door open wide.

Connor’s jaw dropped when he saw two of Lord Sampson’s guards standing there. A third one was behind them, struggling with someone, but he couldn’t see who it was.

“What the hell do you want?” asked Connor.

“We’re here to see the hangman,” said the second guard. “Where is your father?”

Connor’s gaze flashed over to Eleanor who looked as terrified as he felt at the moment. He didn’t want her to say anything, so he spoke.

“He’s not here,” said Connor.

“When will he be back?” asked the guard.

“Why do you want to know?” Connor felt a knot forming in the pit of his stomach.

“We caught a thief and Lord Sampson wants all thieves executed at once,” said the man.

“Well, he’s not here. He can’t do it,” snapped Connor.

“It is his job. He has to comply. Now where is he?”

“Dammit, my father won’t be executing anyone, because he’s dead!”

“Oh,” said the first guard with a shrug. “Well, then I guess you’ll just have to do it. Be at the castle first thing in the morning for the hanging.”

“Wait,” said Eleanor as they started to leave. “Tell me, who is this thief that you are so fast to execute?”

“He’s no one important. Just a damned filthy peasant boy.”

“Boy?” asked Eleanor.

“Aye,” said the guards, moving aside so she could see the third guard with the prisoner. “He’s right there.”

When they stepped apart, Connor looked past them and his heart sank. The third guard held a teenaged boy by the tunic. The boy’s arms were tied behind him. It was hard enough having to assume the position of hangman, but now, the first person he would be required to execute was someone he already knew.

Eleanor gasped and held her hand to her mouth.

“Please, don’t kill me,” cried the boy.

Connor stepped out the door and bit his bottom lip, shaking his head. “Dammit, Finnian, why the hell couldn’t you stop stealing? Now, I’m going to have to kill you.”