Page 109 of Seduced

“I am out of my mind with worry,” her brother was saying. “I have looked everywhere, and came here as a last resort, since I don’t quite know what to…”

But Alexei was already out of the door, running.

…

“Wilder!”

He called for his friend, who was waiting close to the door, if not directly outside of it, eavesdropping.

“Need help killing the bastard?” Wilder asked hopefully.

“What? No, I—”

“Your Highness!” the vicar could be heard muttering from inside the office. He wisely did not make any attempt to follow Alexei.

“Wait a minute, the piece of scum is still breathing?” Wilder shoved Alexei aside to peer into the room. “I only let him in so you could murder him yourself, you understand. Ifyou have qualms doing it, I shall be happy to finish the task myself.”

“Will you shut up for a second,” Alexei said, feeling the fear drain him of energy. Of blood. “Poppy is missing.”

“What?” Wilder stumbled.

“She hasn’t come here, by any chance, has she?”

“No.”

Alexei pursed his lips to keep himself from screaming. He gave the order for a carriage to be readied.

“The only thing that has come here today,” Wilder flung over his shoulder, as he left to tend to the horses, “was another one of those vile threatening notes.”

Then he stopped short, one foot on the stairs.

“What did it say?” Alexei asked savagely.

“I barely glanced at it,” Wilder admitted, “I have stopped giving them to you, my lord, they are so many.”

“Let’s see it.”

Wilder hadn’t yet fed it to the fire. They discovered it in the upstairs study. Alexei read it in single glance, but Wilder had to pause and grip the edge of the desk, because his legs gave out under him.

“You don’t think…Surely not…” he mumbled incoherently.

Alexei grabbed his shoulder to keep him from falling.

“This is not time to fall apart, man,” he said sternly. “If she has one faint hope, it’s us. Let’s go.”

In their haste, the note fluttered to the ground, but Alexei didn’t need it. Its every word was etched in his mind, as if it had been seared there by blood.

I have buried your seed.

More will follow unless you give us the Greek prince.

One for every week you do not comply.

Count your dead, my Lord Perlin.

Who knows that I call her my little seed?Alexei thought frantically as he sprinted up the stairs, walked out into the blue evening, and boarded his carriage.Everyone who has stepped foot in the club, that’s who. I have made it no secret that I call her by that name. It could be anyone.

God help me!

---