Page 21 of Stay with Me

“What if one of the servants loyal to him cuts him down?”

“We’ll tie the fellow up right along with him.”

“Nay, we’ll wait. Can’t risk it.”

Sybil knew they were referring to Nicholas, and her heart gave a leap of hope. Was it possible she still had time to protect him from another beating?

She curled her legs up and out, stretching her limbs and muscles as best she could in the small confines. She needed to be at her best when she exited the closet and engaged in combat with the men.

Except for the clatter of dice, silence descended outside the door. She inched up cautiously into a crouch that allowed her to peer out one of the cracks in the slat.

In the faint light of a sconce, two men sat on stools on either side of an overturned crate, oddly numbered dice, shells, and coins spread out between them. They wore thigh-length coats of mail. But their necks, heads, as well as their legs were unprotected. From what she could tell, they each had a sword on their weapons belts.

One of the men was young, thin, and without facial hair. She guessed he was the one who’d suggested taking Nicholas out tothe whipping post, his fear of the master driving him to protect himself at any cost.

The other man’s back was facing her. But from the gray strands in his hair as well as the stoop of his shoulders, she guessed he was middle aged and had remained loyal to his lord these many years by doing whatever was asked of him—no matter how beastly.

Such a man would have fighting experience and wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. She’d have to disable him first. The younger one might not join in the skirmish right away, might believe his companion would be able to easily bring her down.

For several more minutes she studied the men, planned her method of attack, located the keys hanging on a hook near the door, and attempted to discern how quickly she could put into effect the rescue before more guards heard the commotion and came down to investigate.

Finally, after studying the latch on the door and using the tip of the dagger to pry it loose, she took a steadying breath. It was time to venture into 1382.

As she pushed open the door, she was surprised when it didn’t creak and draw the guards’ attention. In fact, she had time to stand and position the knives in both hands behind her back before the younger man caught a glimpse of her.

His eyes widened, and he jumped up from his stool, tipping it over in his haste. “Holy saints. Where did you come from?”

The older guard was on his feet in the next instant, his sword drawn. His face was leathery and covered with a short graying beard. As he took her in, his gaze lingered first on her tight shirt and then on her jeans. A flare of lust rushed in to replace his surprise, and his lips curled into a grin, revealing graying teeth in dire need of a dentist’s attention.

“What have we here?” He sheathed his sword, clearly not anticipating the threat she posed.

All the better. She’d have a straighter shot at knocking him out with the first kick.

“Lord Worth sent me,” she said quietly.

The middle-aged guard’s smile widened. “See, what did I tell you, John? We’ve got nothing to worry about. The master’s rewarding us for our faithful duty.”

The young man—John—was still staring, his eyes holding more fear than desire. Clearly he recognized she hadn’t approached from the stairs, and he was trying to make sense of where she’d come from.

“I get a turn with the wench first,” the older guard said, his gaze raking over her again.

She waited, needing him to take just one step closer.

“You aiming to do this nicely?” His nostrils flared, and he lowered his voice. “If not, I don’t mind a little screaming and clawing.”

Sick pervert. Apparently, they existed in the past the same as they did in the present.

As he took his next step, she leapt, kicked her leg out, and aimed for the nerve bundle below his ear. Her boot connected, snapping his head sharply.

“Definitely not nicely,” she said as he toppled backward. The momentum slammed him into the wall, and he slid to the floor unconscious. “You’re next.” She motioned to the younger guard. “Come and get me.”

He stared at his companion, then at her. He swallowed hard, unsheathed his sword, and began to advance.

She had to give the kid credit. He wasn’t running at the first sign of danger.

“You’re a witch from the devil.” His grip wavered. “There’s no other explanation.”

She removed her hands from behind her back, revealing her weapons while circling around. She couldn’t let him trap her in a corner. She’d have more flexibility if she fought out in the open.

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