Page 63 of Cage of Darkness
She nodded, knowing she couldn’t helpin her condition. Holding a knife in one hand, he stood before thedoor, taking several breaths before pushing it open and enteringthe queen’s bedchamber. No sounds came from within. Sweat trickleddown the side of her face. She should be the one in there killingJana. Odar shouldn’t have to do it for her. It wasn’t hisresponsibility.
After several minutes, he returned,the knife still clutched in his hand. “She wasn’t in there,” hewhispered. “I looked everywhere.”
“What do you want to do?”They didn’t have time to search the entire castle forher.
“Let’s move on to Shelene.We can come back for Jana later.” He sheathed his weapon. “Maybeshe hasn’t retired for the night yet.”
Her stomach twisted from nerves.Nothing was going according to plan. Odar wrapped his arm aroundher waist, helping her walk along the narrow passageway. When theyreached the door leading to Shelene’s bedchamber, he releasedher.
“Wait here.”
Allyssa nodded and he pushed open thedoor, leaving it ajar as he silently stepped into the princess’sroom. Glancing inside, she watched him glide across the room toShelene’s large bed where she lay sleeping, her beautiful blackhair cascading around her head. Allyssa’s heart pounded and herbreathing sped up. Was Shelene innocent in her mother’s treachery?Did she deserve to die?
Standing next to the bed,Odar bent over the princess, staying in that position for what feltlike several minutes. Was he having second thoughts? Allyssastepped inside the room, ready to help if necessary. Shelenestirred.Bloody hell. What was Odar waiting for?
The princess’s eyes opened. Allyssastood frozen in place, not wanting to move and draw attention toherself.
“You’re here,” Shelenemumbled, reaching for Odar. “I knew you loved me.” She sat up andwrapped her arms around his neck. He embraced her, caressing herhead. Slowly, he moved her hair away from her neck as he mumbledsomething in her ear. Cradling her head against his shoulder, helifted the knife and plunged it into her neck. Shelene’s eyeswidened in shock. He held her close, not letting go as the bloodflowed out of the fatal wound. Allyssa stifled a scream and watchedin horror as the life drained from Shelene’s body. When she wentslack, Odar gently laid her on the bed.
He remained hunched over the body, hishands shaking. He had killed before, but it had been inlife-and-death situations, not an intimate, premeditated murderlike this. And there were still two more murders to commit beforethey could escape from this castle.
Allyssa took a step forward, about totell him that they needed to hurry, when a cold hand slid over hermouth.
Chapter Twenty-Three
A strong, wiry arm wrapped aroundAllyssa’s torso, pinning her arms down, the knife pried from herfingers. She tried to scream, but the hand covering her mouthstayed firm. Pain laced through her arm and ribs.
“What? No fight?” Somapurred in her ear. “This is rather disappointing.” Tears streameddown her cheeks. “You reek of blood.” He inhaled, making her skinprickle. “What have you done?” He lifted his head and hissed.“Prince Odar.”
Odar spun around and froze, Shelene’slifeless body sprawled on the bed behind him.
“You killed my sister,”Soma said, his arm around Allyssa’s torso tightening. “You call methe animal, but you have slaughtered an innocent girl. And you willpay for what you’ve done.”
All he had to do was twist her head tosnap her neck, killing her. To make it out of this alive, sheneeded to outsmart and kill the assassin.
“Let Allyssa go,” Odarpleaded. “This has nothing to do with her.”
“I beg to differ.” Somareadjusted his grip, his fingers digging into her cheek. “I knewsomething was wrong when Kerdan made a big ordeal out of leavingthe castle.”
“Your fight is with me.Release her and kill me as retribution.”
“That’s not how it works.”Soma chuckled, the sound rumbling against her back. “I havewhatyouloveinmyhands.” Thehand covering her mouth slid to her head, forcing it to the side,exposing her neck. His lips brushed her skin. “She’s so lovely. Toobad she must die for your crimes. A life for a life. That will makeus even.”
Allyssa wanted to claw his eyes outand cut off his tongue. She wanted him to experience true fear andpain—like he’d caused other people.
“It’s a shame I never gotto enjoy her the way Kerdan did,” the assassin cooed, his voicesoft and lethal. “Maybe I should have a taste before I kill her.Would you like to watch?” Soma licked her neck, and Allyssa’sstomach recoiled.
Odar’s eyebrows drew together, hisface awash with confusion.
“He lies,” she said, notwanting him to believe there was anything between her andKerdan.
Odar shook his headinfinitesimally. “Has being in Russek changed you so much?” heasked her. “The Allyssa I know and fell in love with is a cocky,arrogantfighter.”
She was a fighter, and she planned tofight. However, in order to win against this madman, he had tobelieve he finally broke her spirit. “I’m sorry,” she said to Odar.“But there’s nothing left. I can’t. It hurts too much.” Her bodysagged against Soma’s, and she felt his muscles shift, acceptingher defeat. “Save yourself,” she pleaded. Odar took a step back,dumbstruck.
“Now it’s time to play,”the assassin purred, loosening his hold on her.
Closing her eyes, she searched forstrength from within. Shoving the physical pain away, she found aniron fist of strong will and determination deep inside. She pulledthat to the surface. Gritting her teeth, she smashed her head intoSoma’s. Stars exploded across her vision, but she didn’t hesitateas she slammed her elbow into his side. And, just as she practicedwith Marek a thousand times, she twisted and kneed him. He releasedher.
