The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [51]
He grunted as Selene struck him with the brass pitcher she had hidden beneath her cloak.
She caught him as he fell so that he wouldn’t tumble to the courtyard below.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. She hoped she had done no more than stun him. He had seemed a pleasant young man.
An instant later he gave a low groan. A mixed blessing. Now she must worry about him regaining his senses before she could get down the wall.
She quickly untied the rope she had wound around her waist and tied it to an abutment.
The guard moaned again.
She slipped over the side and began crawling carefully down the wall.
“There you are.” Tarik threw open the door of the library and limped into the chamber. His dark hair was mussed but he was fully dressed. “I’ve been looking all over the castle for you. What are you doing here in the middle of the night?”
Kadar closed the cover of de Troyes’s manuscript. “I remembered something and I wanted to reread a few passages.”
Tarik’s gaze narrowed. “Why?”
Kadar countered, “Why are you so concerned about my whereabouts that you come looking for me in the dead of night?”
“I thought you might have gone too.”
Kadar stiffened. “Gone?”
“Selene saw fit to knock out the guard on the south wall and leave the fortress.”
“Lord in heaven.” Kadar muttered a curse at his own stupidity. He had known she was upset. He should have followed her. “Haroun?”
Tarik shook his head. “She went alone.”
“And you came looking for me.”
“I didn’t think she’d be able to persuade you to leave, but I thought you might have followed and tried to find her.”
“I will,” he said grimly.
“No need. When the guard regained his senses, he saw Balkir’s encampment astir. The captain must have intercepted her as she was trying to escape.”
“She wasn’t trying to escape.”
“What?”
“If she had been trying to escape, she would have taken Haroun. She feels responsible for him.”
“Then why did she crawl down that wall?”
“I wouldn’t go with her. She knew I’d follow if she placed herself in Balkir’s hands.”
Tarik pursed his lips in a soundless whistle. “Clever.”
“I want to strangle her. By God, I’d wager she marched into Balkir’s camp and woke them up so that they’d take her prisoner.”
“That picture doesn’t lack a certain humor.”
“To me it does.” Kadar headed for the door. “I’m the one who has to get her back.”
“Wait.”
Kadar gave him a cold glance over his shoulder. “I won’t let her stay in Balkir’s hands, Tarik.”
“I didn’t think you would. I merely wondered if you wanted me to send an escort with you.”
“If Balkir thought there was any chance he’d lose her, he’d cut her throat. I’ll go alone.”
“He’ll kill her? Did she realize the danger?”
“She knew it. This was no wild impulse. She knew exactly what she was doing.”
“Then she’ll try to keep you from coming back,” he said softly.
“I’m going, Tarik. Don’t try to stop me.”
“It would not be to my advantage for you to go now.”
Kadar stiffened at the silken threat in the other man’s tone. He gazed directly into his eyes. “I won’t leave her there. You’ll have to kill me to keep me from going.”
“No, I wouldn’t. There are many ways to—” Tarik stopped and the menace left his expression. He said wearily, “But it appears I lack the will to use them.” He waved his hand. “Go on. Bring her back. We’ll let fortune decide. Maybe I’ll be lucky. God knows, fate owes me a good turn.”
“I thought you’d come.” Balkir smiled smugly at Kadar. “Though I have no idea why you’d be so foolish. After all, she’s only a woman.”
“And a troublesome one at that,” Kadar agreed. “I don’t know why I’m bothering to retrieve her. We had a small disagreement and she decided to punish me by fleeing.”
“Then you won’t mind my holding her?”
“I wouldn’t mind, but Tarik wishes her back. Where is she?”
“In her tent.” He paused before he added, “Where she will stay until you return with the treasure.”
“I told you that you must be patient until—”
“I’m done with patience. Bring me the treasure or I’ll kill the woman.”
“Nasim would