The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [15]
“She’d better wake very soon, or the wound I put in your temple will pierce that ox of a brain.” Kadar sat down on the bunk. “Bring me cold water and a soft clean cloth.”
“I need Murad to help me put to sea,” Balkir said. “He’ll return as soon as he’s no longer required for more-important duties.”
“Water and cloth,” Kadar repeated. “Now.”
Balkir hesitated and then shrugged. “As you wish. A few more minutes will do no harm.”
“Very wise.” Kadar glanced at him. “I suppose that means you have no intention of releasing her?”
“I believe you knew that was a possibility. It seems the woman has more value than I thought for you. I’m sure Nas—Sinan would approve me giving him a weapon to guide you in the path he chooses.”
Yes, Kadar had known there was every chance the whoreson would make full use of Selene. That realization didn’t cool the rage searing through him. “This is between Sinan and me. She has nothing to do with it.”
“As I said, a weapon.” He turned to leave. “We put to sea at midnight. I must have Murad by that time. He may fetch and carry for you until then.”
Murad cast Kadar a quick glance before he scurried after his captain.
Kadar’s attention had returned to Selene, and he was barely aware they had gone. He gently stroked back the hair from Selene’s forehead. God in heaven, she was pale. Why didn’t she wake?
Selene slowly opened her eyes to see Kadar’s face inches from her own.
Joy flooded through her.
Kadar.
“Thank God. You took your time about it.” Kadar’s voice was unsteady. “How do you feel?”
Pain. Joy. Bewilderment. Too many feelings to give an answer.
“Do you feel sick in your stomach?” He dipped a cloth into a bowl of water and carefully dabbed at her temple. “Do you see me clearly?”
“No. Yes.” She frowned in confusion. Why was he asking these questions? She must be ill. She didn’t remember—
Then she did remember. Kadar. The wrenching sorrow and the anger. The flight up the hill. Pain. Darkness.
“You . . . struck me?”
“Lord, no.” His lips twisted. “I haven’t reached those depths of depravity yet. Though I can see why you might think so.”
“Who. . .” She glanced around her. A ship’s cabin, but not the Last Hope. She became aware of a familiar rocking movement. Her gaze flew back to Kadar. “Are we at sea?”
“Not yet.”
“What ship is this?”
“The Dark Star.”
Her eyes widened. She whispered, “The Old Man of the Mountain. Sinan . . .”
He nodded. “He sent Balkir for me. I have no choice.” He paused. “And neither do you now.”
“There’s always choice.” She tried to sit up, and dizziness hit her like a hammer.
He pushed her back down. “You shouldn’t move.”
She wasn’t sure she could. “You can’t go to Sinan.”
“I gave my word.”
“To an assassin. You know how wicked he is.”
“The vow remains. Sinan and I understand each other.”
She knew they did, and the realization had always terrified her more than Sinan himself. She had seen how that dark life drew Kadar. “I won’t have it. We’re going back to the castle.”
He shook his head. “It’s too late. I’m going to Maysef and so are you. Balkir’s decided you’ll make a fine hostage.” His hand closed on hers. “Don’t be afraid. I promise, no harm will come to you.”
Hostage. She was going back to Sinan’s chill-ridden fortress in the mountains.
“Don’t look like that. I didn’t want this.” Kadar’s voice vibrated with intensity. “To have you involved is the last thing I intended.”
“No,” she said dully. “You just wanted to go away and close me out.” She shut her eyes. Her head was pounding, her mind whirling. “I have to think.”
“Just rest.”
Her eyes flew open and she glared at him. “And let you make decisions for me? I will not. Your stupidity has gotten us into this quandary. No one asked you to give Sinan that promise. We would have found a means to free ourselves. Now we have to find a way to keep Thea and Ware safe at Montdhu.”
“I told Ware that the Dark Star was here for me.”
“But you didn’t tell me.” She tried to smother the bitterness of the thought. There were other things to consider right now. “How