Page 7 of Blood Tribute

He caught one of her arms in a tight grip. She bit back a cry of pain. Dragging her a step closer to him, he loomed over her in the half-light.

“Is scaffolding all you have been playing with, Honora?” He squeezed her arm harder.

She blinked back tears. “What can you mean?”

“Arceo is missing from the shrine. Sancti is alone in the dagger case.”

Sancti, the Blade of Purification. The relic’s name sent a pall over her. If Sir Virtus had opened the dagger case, he was planning to use Arceo’s twin.

Sir Virtus leaned nearer. “Are architecture journals all you’ve been playing with, Nora?”

She shrank back. “You know I would never go near the dagger case.”

“Must I remind you how valuable those relics are?” His voice rose. “Your father was the youngest knight to receive the honor of carrying Sancti. It brought him glory all the years he possessed it. And when they finally conveyed Arceo upon him as well, it was the crowning achievement of his service to the Order.”

If only they had known a Hesperine would be waiting to ambush him on the way home from the ceremony. If only the relics had been enough to save her parents.

“You don’t have to remind me,” Nora said. “My father died for Arceo.”

“Yes, he did. And like everything else in this castle, the daggers belong to the Order now. Do you understand me?”

She dropped her gaze. “Yes, Uncle Virtus.”

“You know how forgiving I am,” he said more quietly. “I will take no action until after dawn rites. That will give you the opportunity to confess, if there is anything you’re hiding from me. But if Arceo is not in the case by the end of my morning prayers, there will be consequences.”

“One of the servants must have stolen it.” Nora had no qualms about blaming the traitors. “We can start searching the castle after dawn rites.”

“You’d best hope we find it among the servants, then.”

The relic would be safe in the one place ascetic Sir Virtus would never look. Up a virgin’s skirts.

“Get back to your rooms.” He shoved her away from him and watched her flee.

When she was certain he hadn’t followed her, she cut down a side passage, then slipped through a hidden archway behind a tapestry. She knew every twist and turn of Castra Gloria that had been built, rebuilt, and cobbled together over the centuries.

The moons were high in the sky by the time she reached the clearing. The moment she stepped out of the trees, the Hesperine appeared.

“I began to think you had reconsidered our agreement,” he said.

“I was merely delayed.” She straightened, trying to catch her breath. “I keep my oaths, Firstblood Dar—Dayr…”

He arched a brow at her. “If you find my full name too difficult to pronounce, you may call me Dav.”

She cleared her throat. “Well, that only seems fair, since you refuse to call me by my proper name.”

“Yes I do…Nora.” Her name sounded indecent on his tongue. “I have many things to show you tonight.”

Curse her heart, already starting to pound. His pupils expanded, and his lips parted, giving her a glimpse of his fangs.

“Not that sort of demonstration,” he said. “I intend to teach you about Hesperine culture.”

She frowned at him. “I am not here for a lesson in heresy. Take my blood and be done with it.”

“Ah, but I have my side of the agreement to keep as well.” He held out his hand to her. “Come with me.”

She shrank back. “Where do you intend to take me?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “To my lair.”

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