Page 95 of Angel's Flight

“I do,” Shaya whispered, holding her gaze for a long moment.“I am the reason for so much of this.I cannot let it harm you again, or anyone else.I’ll be fine.”

“Shaya,” Adèle sighed, but he had already turned to Bidaut.

“Is this agreeable?”Shaya asked him.“I’ll be your hostage in your nefarious negotiations, as long as you promise not to hurt or threaten anyone else.”

“If you run, there will be consequences.”Bidaut sounded as if he were discussing a business deal.

Shaya nodded in understanding.

“Be careful,” Adèle whispered as Bidaut opened the door and indicated that Shaya should follow.He had no idea what he was bound for or if he would survive.He had some faith in Erik, at this point, and much more faith in Christine, but that was not what gave him a feeling of peace.He’d kept someone safe who he had failed before.That was worth the peril he now placed himself in.

Sligo

Christine didn’t wantto be annoyed.She didn’t know why she had thought it would be easy to find a bath at this hour in a place like this.She’d been informed by the yawning man at the front desk that she would have to pay, and the tub and hot water were not available now, but she could use the pump.Or that was what she hoped she had been told.She had been studying her English and making Erik practice with her, but she was still very much at sea.

She didn’t want to pout as she made her way up the creaking stairs toward the room.She needed to be cheerful and optimistic amidst all this, if for no other reason than to keep Erik from slipping into an even darker mood.She hoped he was trying, though she honestly didn’t know what she wanted him to try or why.They couldn’t stay here more than they could stay anywhere else while they were being hunted.Not that Erik wanted to stay anywhere, except in the past.

She paused at the door, sighing as she set the key into the lock and resting her head against the wood.

She was so tired.Or maybe she had been tired for a very long time and she just wanted a place to rest that wasn’t some rented room or train car.She wanted to rest, or at the least take a long bath, and then order her husband to ravish her.She’d have to settle for only the last one, though right now she just wanted to be in his arms, no matter what they were doing.He was her home now.

Their room was cold and dark.Empty of any light, no fire burning in the hearth.That left it to her to kindle it and light the candles.At least it was a larger room, with a fair-sized bed and a modest screen to conceal the washbasin and chamber pot.She didn’t like having to use that but it was better than sleeping in the woods.She had to light the damn fire before she did anything.

Christine knelt by the cold hearth and pulled a few pieces of kindling from the bundle of wood that rested beside it in a metal basket, ready to be used.Soon enough, she had a pile ready and pulled a match from the jar next to the firewood.She struck it and fire filled her vision just as a voice sounded outside her door.

“I could be bringing you here to kill you, you know.”

Erik’s tone was dark, with only the barest hint of humor.The deadly kind he reserved for those he truly hated or meant to mock.It sent a chill through Christine’s blood.

“You could, but I think we both know you’re not that foolish,” a female voice replied, flirtatious and familiar.

“Why?Because your compatriot will avenge you?”Erik replied with an audible sneer.“I know you came here alone, Pauline.I know you’re disposable in this operation.”

Christine hissed as the match burned down to her fingers, the pain snapping her out of her horror and confusion.Erik had said the name on purpose.He was stalling at the door because he wanted Christine to know who was with him and give her some sort of warning.

“You don’t want the mess of another murder,” Pauline replied in a tone that made Christine’s skin crawl.What the hell was that bitch doing here now?They had thought to thwart her in Coolaney.

“You might be worth it,” Erik replied.

“Wouldn’t your saint of a wife be upset?”There was derision in Pauline’s voice that made Christine want to throttle the woman herself.

“She would never have to know.She’s not here, as I told you.”

Christine understood.She jumped up and hid herself behind the dressing screen, stooping down in the corner and holding her breath as the door creaked open.

“I guess it would be a delicious way to die,” Pauline sighed as they stepped into the room, only her footsteps audible as Erik walked silently behind her.Christine imagined him looming like a predator and wondered why he hadn’t struck already.“Promise you’ll use those lovely hands on my neck either way.”

“Apologies for the cold,” Erik said, dismissive of the bewildering words.“The maid must have been distracted while lighting the fire.”

He’s seen the wood and matches.He knew she was there.

“I’m sure I’ll be warm enough.”That was seduction in Pauline’s voice; it was unmistakable.Christine twisted her head to peek through a hole in the screen in time to see Pauline slide a hand up Erik’s arm before he winced away.That wince – and biting her lips hard – was all that kept Christine from screaming.

“I want details of this transaction before anything begins,” Erik said, voice dire and posture aloof.“How do I know you even have the power to call off Bidaut?”

“Because we have someone to answer to, like everyone.Well, everyone but you,” Pauline began with a smile.“I’ll telegram dear Monsieur Pomeroy and let him know you’ve died or fled to Greenland or something.It will certainly be easier to convince him if you leave that baggage behind.”

“Careful now,” Erik hissed.“I gave up everything for her.”

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