Page 67 of Immortal Sentry

Crau and Bain exchanged meaningful glances.

“Yes,” Crau said. “He has a nephew who will be far more pliable on the throne.”

And would probably figure right into Crau’s plans to depose Bain. Would Crau blame Bain for Lessa’s family’s murder? These two schemers deserved each other—and the fate they’d suffer if Eron got his way.

“I’ll need to know when and where to stage my attack.” An attack Eron would die before carrying out.

While both men seemed to approve of Eron’s suggestion, they eyed him with suspicion.

Crau said, “About two hours into the ball, Queen Jaidia will lure Lessa into the gardens, where you will wait and kill Lessa. While Jaidia sounds the alarm, you will slip away. I’ll order my personal guards to get the boys to safety. They’ll take them up a servants’ stairway where, again, you’ll be waiting. I will ensure you’re where you should be.”

Bain nodded. “In the meantime, you’ll watch the Anilitk nobles and discover where they’ve hidden their sons. Unless we eliminate all threats, this plan won't work.” Had Bain said the same about Eron and his family? “I will inform you when to eliminate Selin.”

Eron sighed with relief when the king allowed him to leave. His two silent guards trailed him to his rooms but, thankfully, didn’t enter, giving him at least the illusion of privacy.

Miisov stepped from the hidden passageway nearly as soon as Eron closed the door. “I heard the king summoned you and came as quickly as I could. What did he want?”

“He wanted to ensure I knew my role tonight.”

“What did he say?”

“That I am to dispatch Lessa in the gardens and her sons in a servants’ stairway.” Which would never happen. “Her, her sons,andher husband.”

Miisov stroked his beard. “It will cost me, but we desperately need Kerric’s men.”

Chapter Twenty-five

Kerric watched the sunset from the ramparts, occasionally noting movement in the distance while listening for footsteps. Crau knew he was here, though Miisov hid the statues. Could he make Crau forget having seen Kerric? A loud crack sounded once the last of the sun’s rays kissed the earth, stone releasing Kerric from his prison. Dare he hope to see his men tonight?

Crack, crack, crack!echoed down the wall as, one by one, Kerric’s men appeared once more in human form.

Kerric grabbed them, hugging them all in turn. His men. Alive and well.

A formidable fighting force. The men lifted the swords Miisov had granted them before the curse, flexing their muscles. They appeared exactly the same as when Kerric last saw them. All sported silver hair and eyes like Kerric, in varying shades.

“The curse is broken?” Malcolm asked.

“It appears.” But at what cost to Miisov? “Unfortunately, not permanently if we fail in our mission tonight.”

Malcolm snapped to attention. Kerric couldn’t miss some of the men simply flexing their fingers before their faces, much as he’d done when he first returned to flesh. “What is our mission?”

“To put King Lothan’s younger son on the throne.” Maybe his men hadn’t heard all the plans he’d discussed with them, or they hadn’t been as aware in gargoyle form as Kerric.

Malcolm’s mouth dropped open. “The boy yet lives? But we saw his body!”

“Thank all the gods who’ve ever existed, he is alive, though my heart breaks for whoever took his place beneath the sword. His sister also lives. Bain wished to have Princess… I mean, Queen Lessa of Anilitk and her sons killed to clear the succession, and he doesn’t know that Prince Eron is hiding in plain sight in the castle.”

Georgi groaned. “They made her marry that old toad? The poor lass.”

“That ends tonight,” Kerric assured him. “She’s arranged with the kings of other lands to send troops to help secure Prince Eron’s position. Tonight, we must subdue Bain, our treacherous Commander Crau, and any loyal to them. If we want to remain men at sunrise, we have to defeat them tonight and return Lothan’s line to the throne. Are you with me?”

Malcolm smirked. Gods, how Kerric had missed that smirk. “I’d kill Crau just for being a steaming pile of cow shit. The mission is a bonus.”

“I believe we’ll find our targets in the great hall at tonight’s ball.” Kerric counted out three men. “Go to the dungeon exit.” He pointed out three more. “Approach along the back wall. The rest of you go with Malcolm. King Lothan has died, but we’re still the king’s guard. Therightfulking.”

Kerric’s heart broke at how few men remained. So many dead. Bain must answer for every one.

Kerric slapped Malcolm on the shoulder. Damnation, it was good to see the man. “Lead them in shadows, with stealth. We have the element of surprise. Crau knows about me, but not the rest of you. Once in the ballroom, surround Bain’s location. Our uniforms aren’t too out of date and shouldn’t be questioned by the servants. Many were hired for the occasion and don’t normally work here. I’ll meet you there.”

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