Page 64 of Wolf's Keep

Lance eased his hands away from Gaharet’s arms. “If not…” His expression turned grim.

Gaharet nodded. This time, Ulrik would get no second chance.

Lance clapped Gaharet on the shoulder. “We will meet again beyond the walls, my friend.” He turned to leave.

“Lance.” Gaharet called him back. “If something were to happen to me…”

Lance frowned. “Is there something you are not telling me, Gaharet?”

Gaharet hesitated, the words to disclose Erin’s discovery in the underground cell caught in his throat. He shook his head. “If something should happen to me”—his gaze sought Erin—“take care of her for me. Take care of Erin.”

Lance’s eyes widened. “My friend? Have you fallen in love with this woman? Gaharet, is she your mate?”

A warmth spread through his chest; his gaze fixed on Erin’s face. “Yes, Lance. She is my match in all ways.” He flicked his gaze to Lance. “Vow to me, you will see that she is safe if I am unable to.” There was an urgent note to his voice he could not repress.

Lance nodded. “Of course, Gaharet. Of course.”

Some of the tension eased from his shoulders. “Thank you. Stay safe, Lance.” His wolf held in check, Gaharet made his way through the armored chevaliers to Erin and Ulrik.

Before Gaharet could demand answers, berate him, rip his throat out, Ulrik released Erin into his care. He pulled her in close, holding her within the circle of his arms, her touch a soothing balm easing some of his fury. At the sharp tang of blood, his nostrils flared.

Ulrik leaned close. “She has Renaud’s blood on her hands, Gaharet.”

“Renaud’s?” What the hell was she doing with Renaud? He dragged her back into the shadows. Ulrik followed.

“You were with the archeveque? Why?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “He offered to take me for a tour of the keep. He’s an archeveque. It’s not like I could refuse him.”

“Renaud tried to put her in some underground cell, but she got away,” said Ulrik. “She hit him on the nose, then kicked him in the groin.”

“You kicked—?”

Merde!Of all people. If her aim was as true as the night she had used the same tactic on him, it would surprise him if Renaud could even walk right now.

Gaharet’s eyes narrowed in on Ulrik. “Interesting it was you who encountered her. What were you doing lurking in the corridor?”

Ulrik straightened himself to his full height. “What are you suggesting? That I was following her? ThatIwould be in collusion withRenaud?” He spat the name out as though something foul had settled on his tongue. “You are lucky I found her. Heaven knows what could have happened had she run out into the hall, blood all over her hands.” His eyes widened and he took a step back. “That is what you think. That one of us has sold out to Renaud. ThatIhave sold us out to Renaud.”

Shock, disbelief, anger flitted across Ulrik’s face.

Gaharet did not flinch. “This discussion is not over, but now is not the time. We need to leave. Quietly. I may need to go into hiding.”

“And the rest of us?”

“Not if you do not defy Lothair as I plan to do, but if I were you, I would not wish to be around when that happens.”

Ulrik nodded, retreating into the crowd, an angry set to his shoulders and a frown across his forehead. Gaharet did not care if he had ruffled Ulrik’s sensibilities. Right now, he needed to get Erin hidden—keep her safe. Taking her hand in his, he led her into the darkened corridor away from the hall.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Erin’s altercation with Renaud changed things. Gaharet wanted her out of the keep, away from Lothair and out of Archeveque Renaud’s reach. Now.

“Where are we going?” asked Erin, running to keep up with him.

Slowing his pace, he matched her shorter stride. “Somewhere I can protect you. I cannot risk the time to explain right now, Erin. We will discuss it later.”

“More secrets.” She muttered the words beneath her breath, but he heard them.

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