Page 11 of Cage of Darkness
“Here they are,” her guardsaid. The speaker turned around to face them.
Allyssa stared into the eyes of theassassin. Fear like she had never known coursed through her. Whatwas he doing here? He should be tied to a tree, paralyzed. Even iften hours had passed, which she was certain hadn’t, he could nothave hiked here so quickly.
The assassin chuckled. “Surprised tosee me?”
“How are you moving about?”she demanded.
The assassin stood tall and poised, asmile on his lips. His arm had been wrapped with a makeshiftsling—the only indication he suffered any duress. He must havemanaged to put his elbow back into alignment.
“Do you actually think I’dbe stupid enough to use something I’m not immune to?”
She hadn’t even considered thepossibility. He must have spent years building up a tolerance tothe paralyzing substance.
“Sire, are these the onesyou’re looking for?” the Russek soldier next to herasked.
Sire?
“Yes,” the assassinreplied. “Thank you for detaining them.”
Odar stiffened beside her. “I knew youlooked familiar, but I couldn’t place you until now, PrinceSoma.”
“Prince?” Allyssa blurtedout. “You’re a prince? Of where?” As the words left her mouth, sherealized how condescending she sounded. Surrounded by Russek men,he could only be the prince of one kingdom. “I’m only aware of oneprince in Russek, and his name isn’t Soma.”
“You’re referring to thecrown prince, my stepbrother Kerdan.” His words were edged withsomething she couldn’t quite discern. Jealousy?Loathing?
She had never met Prince Kerdan, butshe knew he was King Drenton’s only son. Kerdan was born a coupleof years before her and was heir to the Russek throne.“Stepbrother?” There were rumors King Drenton hadremarried.
“My mother is Queen Jana ofRussek.” Her eyes widened with shock. The assassin took a menacingstep toward her. “That’s right,” he crooned. “We’recousins.”
Horror filled her. There was no wayshe was related to this sick bastard. “It’s notpossible.”
“I assure you, it is,” hereplied, the cold smile still plastered on his face as if heenjoyed watching her squirm.
“Jana was sent into exilewith her mother twenty years ago. She was sixteen, unmarried, andconsidered to be a sickly girl who wasn’t expected to livelong.”
Soma folded his arms and tilted hishead to the side. “Why do you think the rumors about Jana beingsick were made up? It was to hide the fact that she was withchild—me.”
Allyssa stood there, stunned by thisrevelation. “Who is your father?”
“One of her personalguards. Shortly after she was forced into exile, she gave birth. Afew years later, she had my sister, Shelene. Once we were oldenough, my father—still one of her guards—smuggled us out ofEmperion.” He took another step toward her. “And now, cousin, I amready to right the wrongs of your parents.”
“Who sent you?” Odardemanded. “King Drenton?” The dozen Russek soldiers surroundingthem were loyal to the king, not the prince. A wise move on Odar’spart to remind the men of that.
Prince Soma’s eyes focused on Odar.“My sister isn’t very happy with you right now.” He swung andpunched Odar’s face with his good arm. Before Odar could strikeback, two soldiers grabbed him, pinning his arms behind his back asSoma kicked him.
Allyssa screamed and dove for Soma.The soldier standing closest to her wrapped his arm around herwaist, holding her back. She violently struggled, trying to breakfree. Soma whipped out his short blade and pointed it at Odar.“Stop fighting, Princess, or I’ll impale this blade into theprince’s thigh.”
She stilled, and the soldier holdingher let go.
“Good,” Soma purred. “Now,I do recall threatening you, not him, if either of youmisbehaved.”
She took a step away from him as panicset in. “You will not lay a finger on me.”
Soma made a motion with his hand, andthe soldier next to her took hold of her wrists, binding themtightly together with rope. This could not be happening.
“Maybe I should let theprince watch as I have my way with you.” Soma’s eyes gleamed withmalice, and a wicked smile shone on his face. Her stomach rolledwith nausea. She would rather die than have him violateher.
“I’ll kill you!” Odarsnarled, his face red with rage.
