Page 33 of Bought to Break
‘Kill the man next to you,’ he commanded, his voice carrying through the trees.
Her father’s men didn’t hesitate. Each turned to the nearest man and struck him down, killing their comrades until there was just one, breathing heavily and looking around disbelievingly at the carnage. It was finished so quickly, Lana looked around them in shock.
Lana tore her eyes from the bodies, swallowing hard and feeling dizzy. She glanced back at Kane. The man was smiling darkly. His eyes shone and he looked so pleased with himself, entertained even. Disgusted, she looked beyond the scene.
Her father gaped, his eyes searching for anyone else in his employ to help and finding no one there because all but one were dead.
‘You. Last soldier. Kill the old man and then yourself.’
‘No!’ Lana shrieked, grabbing Kane’s arm, but it was already too late. Her da fell from his horse, a bolt from the soldier’s crossbow in his chest. The final deed done, the soldier drew a knife and slit his own throat from ear to ear.
‘You killed my da. You killed him,’ she wailed.
He said nothing, just turned the horse away as if nothing had happened.
She twisted in the saddle and began to pound her fists into his chest, his arms, anywhere she could reach. He let her for a time before taking her hands prisoner in his own with a curse.
‘I hate you!’ she said vehemently, and he shrugged. ‘You may not touch the blood, but your hands still run red with it, sell-sword.’
‘A Dark Brother is not a sell-sword,’ he rumbled.
‘I see no great distinction,’ she spat, no longer caring what he did to her.
His arms suddenly picked her up and turned her to face him in the saddle, except her legs got stuck on one side, so in essence he was now cradling her like a babe.
‘You should be thanking me for getting rid of one of your enemies for you. For a little slave girl, you certainly have enough of them.’
‘What does that mean?’ she demanded.
‘Whatever the fuck you want it to mean. I care little. My camp isn’t far. We’ll be there by midday and I’m running short of patience. Mind your tongue, slave, or I’ll give you to my men to entertain with your pretty virgin body until I have use for you.’
‘Sorin and Viktor may be angry with me, but they’d never let you do such a thing,’ she said with confidence.
‘They aren’t there,’ he sneered.
‘Where are they?’ she asked in concern.
‘Would you care if something had happened to them?’ He seemed surprised at her worry.
‘Of course. I – I’m fond of them.’
‘Then you’re a fool because you’re worth less than nothing to them.’
Not giving credence to his nasty words, she looked away from him into the trees that still lined their path, hoping he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes.
He was silent for a time. ‘They’ve simply been called away,’ he finally said.
They reachedthe camp by noon, as Kane had predicted. He took her off the horse and carried her into his large, luxurious tent, barking orders at his men. Sitting down on one of the beds, he held her as his soldiers came and went, fetching and carrying whatever he commanded.
Lana’s eyes became heavy and she closed them. ‘He wasn’t a bad man, you know. Not before,’ she whispered.
‘What?’
‘My da. I have memories of him being a loving father.’
‘People change.’
Lana opened her eyes and looked into Kane’s. ‘I will never forgive you for what you did today.’
