The Treasure_ A Novel - Iris Johansen [62]
“Because she’s no longer here.”
Kadar froze. “What?”
“I sent her and Haroun away last night. They should be well on their way to board a ship that will return them to Scotland.”
“Where is the ship docked?”
Tarik shook his head. “I’ll not have you following her this time, Kadar.”
“You won’t have me—” Kadar tried to smother the white-hot rage searing through him. “Damn you, where is she?”
“Safer than she was here,” Tarik said. “She has Haroun and my best man, Antonio, to guard her. Antonio has instructions to join us in Rome to tell us that she’s safely away, as soon as she boards the ship.”
“Rome?”
“This place isn’t safe for either of us any longer. We can’t count on Nasim sitting quietly outside the gates forever.”
Kadar was cursing.
“Why are you so upset? You once asked me to send her away.”
“It was different then. You shouldn’t have done it. Not with Nasim waiting outside the gates to pounce on her. Not without telling me.”
“I didn’t abduct her. It was her choice to go. She knew it was best.” He met Kadar’s gaze. “And so do you. She’s safer at Montdhu. You heard Nasim. As long as she was within his reach, he would try to use her against you.”
“You had no right. She’s mine.”
“Think.”
Kadar didn’t want to think. He wanted to strangle Tarik. “I would have gotten her safely away. I would have taken her to—”
“And had Nasim following you. That would have put her in even more jeopardy. My way is better. It will keep you both alive.” He shook his head as he saw Kadar’s expression. “You’re too angry to reason now. I’ll come to see you when you’ve had a chance to grow calmer.”
“I’m not going to get calmer about this,” he said savagely.
“We’re not game pieces for you to move at will.”
“If you were, my lot would be much easier,” he sighed. “You’re both very difficult people. Selene trusted me. Cannot you do the same?”
Kadar didn’t answer.
“I’ve made plans for us to leave the castle tonight after midnight. Come to my chamber, and please be ready.”
Kadar uttered an obscenity.
Tarik shrugged and started up the stairs. “Later.”
Kadar’s hands clenched at his sides as he watched him go. He felt helpless and enraged and terrified.
Selene.
He had always known where she was, always been able to reach out and protect her since they had come together when she was a child. Now she was alone, on her own. It didn’t matter that Tarik had done what Kadar would probably have done in his place. He had no right. He should have told him. He should have let Kadar go with her and put her on the ship himself.
And Nasim would have followed.
Tarik still had no right. Kadar would not let—
He was letting anger shatter his control and keep him from thinking. That was dangerous. If he had learned nothing over the years, it was that only the stupid allowed rage to control their emotions.
Selene was out there and he was helpless to protect her.
He drew a deep breath. Tarik had urged him to think. He would think.
But he doubted if Tarik would care for the results of his pondering.
It was almost midnight when Kadar strode into Tarik’s chamber.
Tarik was sitting quietly in a chair by the fire, reminding Kadar of the first night he had come to the castle.
“Ah, I presume this means you are to go with me?” Tarik asked.
“Perhaps. When I have answers.” He moved toward the carved chest across the room. “I’m weary of your secrets. Unlock the chest. I want to see the grail.”
Tarik shook his head.
Kadar turned and stared into his eyes. “I’m not asking you. Unlock the chest or I’ll smash it open.”
Tarik shook his head again. “You’re not one who smashes. That would lack both subtlety and finesse.”
“I don’t feel in the least subtle.” He paused. “And I would take great pleasure in smashing either you or your chest at the moment. Take your choice.”
“I don’t like either one. Suppose I choose to argue instead,” Tarik said. “I believe you need an incentive. Naturally I’m taking the chest with me. Suppose I agree to open it when we reach Rome?