Page 20 of Take No Prisoners
Vadim's voice was an intrusion in his head, and Niall pushed back with his own message.
How can I break something you already destroyed?
Vadim dropped his hand back to his side and turned away. "I never lied to him. I told him our relationship would last only as long as the empress. Sometimes, I think Coryn killed her because she felt me slipping away."
"Gods' sake," Stan said. "Is there anyone in the capital you haven't fucked?"
"For the record, I am not fucking anyone, especially not Coryn."
"Hugo?" Stan asked. "You left Efren for the emperor himself. You've got to be getting a little something out of it."
Vadim rolled his eyes. "For the last time, I am not fucking my nephew."
"He ain't, though. You and Hesse ain't related."
"Get out of my prison cell, or I'll make you a permanent resident."
Stan set the chamber pot back in the corner. "Come with me," he said to Niall.
"Wait." Vadim pointed toward the prow. "Do you hear that?"
"What?"
"You left the seeker with my men!" Vadim pushed his way between Stan and Niall, pulling off his gloves as he went.
"Get back here! You're our prisoner!"
Vadim rounded on Stan, bare hand outstretched. Stan stepped back so fast Niall crashed into him.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'll submit to the elders when we arrive in Aquarion, you have my word. But if they've harmed one hair on Klaus's head, I'm going to kill them all, whether they want clemency or not."
"Son of a bitch," Stan whispered. "Follow him. I'll go wake the captain."
Niall crossed the hold and stepped through the steel door into the galley. A small fire burned in a wood stove and a pot of savory beef stock bubbled on top. It reminded Niall of his mother's cooking, but he didn't have time to stop and taste. He didn't want to lose Vadim's trail. Another steel door stood open on the opposite side.
He shouldn't have worried. Vadim had found an enchanted light globe and was shoving his way through a circle of men just beyond the door.
Please. Make them stop. They're going to kill me.
Klaus's voice was weak in Niall's head, so soft that he hadn't recognized it as he'd been working above.
"Fucking air weavers," Vadim growled. "I will gladly kill every last one of you."
Niall edged the door open a little wider. This part of the hold stank of unwashed men and piss.
"Please," Klaus whispered. He was on his knees on the floor. Vadim had cleared a path to him. None of the sailors appeared to be harmed. They were all still standing, for now.
"Let him go," Vadim said.
No one had their hands on Klaus. Niall didn't know what he meant until he noticed the whites of Klaus's eyes were red and his mouth gaped like a fish. Klaus clawed at his throat, leaving red gouges in his flesh.
Two sailors ganged up on another against the far wall, punching and kicking until Klaus inhaled with all his might and clamored to his feet. He took two steps toward Niall before Vadim snatched him up in his arms and carried him the rest of the way. Klaus seemed to weigh less than a bag of clay when Vadim handed him to Niall, forcing him to copy his bridal carry.
As he glanced down at Klaus, Niall's anger ebbed. He was still furious with Klaus for turning him over to the navy, but the man didn't deserve to die begging for his last breath. He put his rage aside and turned toward the galley.
"Take him to my crate," Vadim said. "If Efren wants him tied up, that's fine, but he shouldn't be near them. He's a seeker."
Niall almost laughed at the easy way Vadim said, "my crate," as though it was the best cabin on the ship.
