The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [109]
Kadar’s gaze shifted back to Vaden. “We use the grail. I meet with Nasim first and tell him I’ve managed to steal the grail from Tarik. It’s the task he sent me to do, and it won’t seem unreasonable to him. Since he no longer has Selene as a hostage, I’ll tell him I’m in a position to demand a price for the grail. I’ll set up an exchange point to receive payment and give him the grail at a location where he won’t be entirely surrounded by his men. I’ll argue it would be too easy for him to take the grail and dispose of me as he sees fit. He’ll still demand a small protective force and twenty of his men are worth fifty of yours.”
Vaden shook his head.
“Believe me, it’s true. Nasim’s followers are fanatics who would die for him. Would your men die for you?”
“I hope not. I’d rather they live and wreak havoc among my enemies. You mean me to attack his force on the way to the meeting place?”
“That won’t be possible. You won’t see the assassins until they want to be seen and he’ll probably select the site and then send a message to me after they’ve arrived. He’ll expect me to reconnoiter the area and make certain everything is safe for me, but I’ll be watched. You can’t come too close.”
“It’s difficult to attack from a distance,” Vaden said dryly.
“You can’t attack until I accomplish what I have to do.”
“And what is that?”
“Kill Nasim.”
Selene had known it was coming, but she still tensed.
Vaden raised his brow. “And what of his guards you say are willing to die for him? What are they going to be doing?”
“I’ll have to find a way to get him alone. After I’ve killed him, I’ll signal you to attack.”
“I realize Nasim is a most unpleasant fellow, but why can’t we attack and you kill Nasim after we’ve secured the camp?”
“He could slip away. He’s not a warrior with a warrior’s code. I trained under him. I know him. He’d think nothing of leaving his men to die in an attack, if it meant his survival.”
“And what will be the signal?”
Kadar shrugged. “I won’t know until an opportunity presents itself.”
“It’s not as safe a plan as I’d like.”
“Nothing is safe with Nasim.” Kadar looked at Tarik. “You know Nasim. Can you think of a better plan?”
Tarik shook his head. “What of the grail?”
“It can’t be just a lure. I’ll have to take it with me and actually show it to him. Otherwise I’ll be dead two minutes after I reach the camp.”
“And what if Nasim slips away?” Layla asked. “You know he’ll take the grail.”
“You’ll have to trust me to make sure he doesn’t slip away.”
“And what of me?” Selene asked. “This plan is all you and Vaden. I’m the one who set all of this in motion. Am I to sit and wait and do nothing?”
“The whole reason for the meeting relies on the fact that you’re not a hostage and out of Nasim’s reach.”
“Then think of another plan.”
Kadar shook his head.
She turned to Layla and Tarik. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I agree,” Layla said. “Both for Kadar and the grail.”
“Then give me another plan that has a chance of working as well,” Kadar said.
Silence.
“Don’t do this,” Selene whispered.
He smiled. “It’s not as dangerous as it sounds. There are always opportunities occurring when one least expects them. That’s what life is all about.”
“I won’t let—” It was no use. He had made his decision, and there was nothing she could do to persuade him to abandon it.
She wanted to shout at him. She should have known he’d concoct a scheme that would shut her out. “This isn’t fair.” Sweet Mary, that protest sounded puny. It was just the sort of whining she had promised herself she would not do.
“Fairness doesn’t enter into it,” Kadar said. “It’s the only plan that will accomplish what we want.”
“It could work.” Vaden frowned thoughtfully. “But you’re depending considerably on luck.”
“Or on brilliance of mind and magnificent execution.” Kadar smiled slyly at Vaden. “I doubt if you consider any of your victories based on good fortune.”
“Certainly not.”
“Well, neither do I.”
“When do you go to Nasim?”