She lifted her head. “What? I’m not
in over my head. I asked for this assignment.”
He blinked as if surprised by her
outburst. “Why would you do that? This is probably the most dangerous place you
could be in this war.”
“Yes, and it’s my people who are
dying because of the tyrannical rule of Emperor Salzar.”
“What? When did he become Emperor?”
His grip on her arm tightened.
“About a year ago,” Rane barked and
jerked herself free of his hold, her hips hitting the hard edge of the altar.
“Because you live here you probably haven’t heard of the atrocities he’s
performed against my people.”
Nick turned and stared down the
path leading through the forest. “I have no doubt. The man is cruel.”
The small action of Nick’s jaw
jutting out like he was clenching his teeth exemplified his feelings for
Salzar. Lines circled his mouth, and he curled his hands into fists.
“And you hate him?” The idea
thrilled her. Perhaps, she could count on him to help her with her plan.
“That goes without saying, but it
doesn’t change the reason for us being here. The object is to find out the
location of the nustru purification plant so we can destroy the place and
cripple his armies.” Nick studied her with narrowing eyes. “You have to hide
your feelings for the man or you won’t be able to pull off your job as my
companion. We’re invited to his mansion tomorrow night.”
“You mean the king’s mansion?
Salzar invited us to visit him there?” Rane couldn’t believe she’d be allowed
back into her home. As the youngest daughter of the king, she’d only escaped
because Salzar had mistaken her as a servant’s child and had released her with
the rest of the domestic help.
“Yes, and I’m not sure what he has
in mind.” Nick placed his hand over hers. The concern in his eyes alerted her
to a potential problem. “His inner circle doesn’t discuss anything that happens
at the mansion, but rumors have spread about some of the games he likes to play
with his guests.”
“What type of games?” Rane asked
not willing to admit she had any other intel on Salzar other than he refused to
leave the royal property. That was one of the reasons she’d been forced to come
here to achieve her objective.
“I’m not exactly certain,” he
hedged.
Nick’s attitude confused her for a
moment, until she realized the issue. “Sexual games where women are used by
multiple men.”
“Could be.” He tightened his hand
over hers. “I don’t like the idea, but I might not be able to stop him. Salzar
takes what he wants and he isn’t kind about how he goes about getting it.”
Pain twisted its way through her
heart like a knife. She knew first-hand what Salzar would do. Her family’s
butchered bodies remained nailed to property gates for at least a week before
Salzar allowed anyone the right to remove them.
What would you be willing to do to save your country?
Anita
www.anitaphilmar.com
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