Page 50 of Sergi
She pulled back and pinched his chin. “Go back to bed and wait for me.” Her grin was infectious. “You’ll never guess my surprise.”
He was still smiling as she sailed out of the room, her caftan flowing behind her.
With thoughts of the previous evening still on his mind, he did as she asked and stripped off his tunic. She’d left a cup of his favorite Moroccan coffee, and he took the cup to bed and enjoyed the exotic scents drifting in through the window as he savored the brew.
It wasn’t long after he set the cup aside and nestled under the silk sheets that his lids grew heavy. A smile was on his lips as thoughts of Ines’ return and their impending joining lulled him to sleep.
The loud bang of the outer door being thrown open pulled him from sleep. He jumped up but teetered as the floor swayed beneath him. For a second, he couldn’t remember where he was until he caught Ines’s spicy scent. He took a step but stumbled, his legs refusing to follow his command.
He fell against the wall as the room erupted with men in armor. His wits came back to him, but his legs moved as if he were wading in a pool of honey. He turned to where he always laid his sword, but it wasn’t there.
It wouldn’t have mattered.
Six armored vampires surrounded him. Someone kicked his legs out from behind, and he dropped to his knees. Unable to lift his lethargic arm in time, another male slammed a fist into the side of his head, and he toppled over. He was dragged from the room and down the wide staircase before being tossed onto the stone floor of the foyer.
His head pounded. Not just from the slam to it, but from something more insidious. He’d been drugged. His only sustenance that morning had been the coffee Ines made for him.
He refused to believe she would have betrayed him. Could Carmen be involved?
“Finally.” A gruff voice pierced the dull ache in his head. “Sergi. Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?”
Sergi wasn’t able to push himself up, but he managed to open an eye. Worn leather boots stood inches from his face. He recognized the voice.
Yousef El Farah. How had he found him so quickly?
The vampire squatted down and shoved Sergi until he rolled to his side. He opened his eyes to glare up at El Farah. “Such a sad affair to find House Trelane’s Captain of the Guard unprepared. You grow lax between the legs of a woman.” El Farah chuckled. “Let’s see what the crows make of you.” He gripped Sergi’s hair and yanked his head back. “But before I hang you from the walls of my castle, we shall spend a little quality time together. We have much to discuss.”
He stood and kicked Sergi in the stomach. The next one would have broken his jaw if he hadn’t turned his head at the last minute. But the kick was enough to descend him into darkness.
He’d woken, chained to a wall, and endured two days of torture before the castle was stormed. Two of his guards had found him. His only thoughts during his captivity were of Ines and whether she’d gotten away.
When he stumbled out of the dungeon of the castle and into the harsh sunlit courtyard, he found satisfaction in seeing El Farah on his knees along with his cadre. Devon paced in front of them, a bloody sword at his side.
Devon turned when he heard Sergi approach, his guards directly behind him in case he stumbled, but he refused to show weakness. When the two met, Devon laid a hand on his shoulder and gave him a long, appraising look.
“Are you alright?”
“I’ll be fine.” Sergi’s throat was raw, the words thick on his lips.
“I thought you might want to do the honor.” Devon held out his sword.
He mustered the strength to take the sword and swung it once, chest level, to test its heft. He would need both arms to lift it any higher.
El Farah glared at him, hatred shining in his eyes, his head held high. He had to give the vampire credit. He wasn’t a weak man. Just not a smart one.
“I guess you won’t be seeing the crows peck out my eyes after all.” Sergi wanted to lean against the sword, but he held it loosely in his right hand.
“If not me, then someone else. And if you continue to fight for House Trelane, I’m sure it will be soon.”
“Any last words?”
El Farah spit at his feet. Fair enough. Sergi lifted the sword with both hands, but before he had time to swing it, a scream shattered the silence.
He glanced up and dropped the sword to his side when he saw Ines being held back by two guards. Her hands were bound in front of her. He expected to see gratefulness at finding him alive, but instead, her eyes flashed with hatred.
He took a step back. “Ines?”
“You filthy pig. Leave Yousef alone. Just leave us and go back to your home.”
