The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [49]
“She wouldn’t go.”
“If you want me to stay, then you have to send her safely from here. You’ll discover a way.”
Tarik leaned back in his chair and gazed at him. “I’m not sure I wish to do that. What if my plans for you come to naught and I must look elsewhere? It would be a great inconvenience to retrieve Selene from Montdhu.”
Kadar’s head lifted with sudden menace. “I’ll not have you using her.”
“How quickly you rise to her defense. It’s truly touching.”
“I’m weary of your games and your sarcasm. Let’s be done with it. Tell me what you would have me do and I will answer yes or no.”
“You grow impatient.”
“And you speak in riddles and secrets. Is it the grail in your coffer?”
“Do you fear God will strike you dead if you steal a holy relic?”
“Answer me.”
Tarik was silent.
“Then tell me how you came to have the box.”
“My, how persistent you are.” He raised his voice. “Selene, come. Kadar has persuaded me to reveal my secrets. I would not leave you out.”
“Don’t involve her any further,” Kadar said in a low voice. “I told you I wanted her away from here.”
Tarik smiled and held out his hand to Selene, who was coming toward them. “Kadar is being unfair. He wishes to exclude you from our discussion.”
Selene seated herself on a stool by the fire. “It does not surprise me.”
“Where did you get the coffer?” Kadar asked again.
“It was given to me by a young prince. He said it was a gift, but I knew he sought to bribe me to give him the treasure. I took the gift and gave him nothing. I thought it a good lesson for him.” He grimaced. “No, that’s not true. I took it because I was a poor man and the gold and jewels of the box dazzled me.”
“You said you were born of scum of the streets. What did scum have to do with princes?”
“Any man becomes valuable to royalty if he possesses something they want.”
“And what court did this prince grace?”
Tarik shook his head. “You never cease trying to trap me, do you?”
Kadar tried another question. “How did the prince learn of the treasure?”
“Layla told him. She was afraid and wanted to protect us.”
“By giving the treasure away?”
“You don’t understand.”
“How can we understand when you don’t tell us anything of worth?” Selene asked.
“Ah, you wish me to tell you something of importance.” Tarik lazily leaned his head back. “Let me think . . . What does Nasim regard as important?”
“Power,” Kadar said.
“And he believes my treasure will bring it to him.” He paused. “It’s true, it will.”
Kadar went still. “How?”
Tarik ignored the question. “Power is a beacon. It attracts you, doesn’t it, Kadar? What if I told you that you could have enormous power but you would lose everything that meant anything to you? That you would wield it alone?”
“More riddles.” But Kadar was aware that Tarik’s laziness was only a pose; the other man’s gaze was fixed watchfully on his face. “What man would want power that much?”
“Nasim.” Tarik pushed back his chair and stood up. “But apparently not you. I thought not, but there was always hope. It seems I must still make the choice.”
“What choice?” Selene asked.
“Good, evil. I’ve come too close to you. I find myself wavering.” His lips tightened. “But I’m a selfish man. No doubt self-love will triumph in the end.” He turned and walked out of the hall.
Excitement gripped Kadar as his gaze followed him.
“What did he mean?” Selene asked.
“I’m not sure.” But he was beginning to catch a glimmering on the horizon. Impossible. It could not mean . . . No, impossible.
“He frightens me more than Nasim does,” Selene said. “He wants to destroy you.”
Kadar shook his head.
“Don’t be foolish,” Selene said fiercely. “You heard him. We must leave here. And don’t tell me you have to keep your promise to Nasim. I weary