Page 72 of Wolfehound
Liam snorted, but it wasn’t a pleasant sound. “Very well,” he said. “I will bring her. But when you see that she is not the woman you are looking for, you will return to Canterbury and tell him. Let this nonsense be finished for good.”
Tyrus simply nodded, a gesture that suggested he understood and agreed. At least, that was how Liam took it. He pointed to the chair behind Tyrus.
“Sit down and wait,” he said. “I will fetch her now. This will only take a moment.”
As Tyrus slowly lowered himself onto the bench, Liam marched out of the hall with a purpose.
And what a purpose.
He was going to end this.
The idea had occurred to him as he stood in the shadows and listened to Tyrus explain why he had come. The man had all of the facts straight, which was horrifying, and it seemed to underscore the fact that Colm de Lara was behind everything. He’d confessed something, for an unknown reason, that should have never seen the light of day. That meant they had to outsmart de Lara, which wasn’t going to be difficult. Liam knew exactly what he needed to do.
He headed right for the keep.
The door to the entry was bolted, but he banged on it and demanded entry. Nathaniel opened the door for him and he pushed inside, slamming the door behind him and throwing the bolt again.
“Where is Cambria?” he asked quietly.
Nathaniel pointed to the closed solar door. “In there,” he said. “She’s locked in.”
“Good,” Liam said. “But you must find Cassius. The man has run off and no one knows where he is, so find him and stay with him. Keep him out of sight and far away from the hall.”
Nathaniel’s brow furrowed. “Whatis happening, Liam?”
Liam shook his head. “No time to go through it now,” he said. “Just do as you’re told. I’ll explain later.”
Frowning, Nathaniel slipped from the entry door as Liam closed it, and locked it, behind him. Then he headed up the stairsto the upper floor, where he knew his mother was along with a few other women.
There was one in particular he needed.
Making his way to the top level, he went to Cambria’s chamber door. He knew the women had been in her chamber, helping her prepare for her coming wedding, so he assumed they were all still in there. They’d been ordered to remain there but, knowing his mother, anything was possible. Annaleigh didn’t like being told what to do. Rapping softly on the door, he could hear a familiar voice on the other side.
“Who is it?”
“’Tis me, Mama. Open the door.”
The panel lurched open and Liam found himself looking at his mother, Fair Lydia, Lady Warenton, and Caria.
He crooked a finger at Caria.
“Cari,” he said softly. “Come here.”
Caria had been on the floor with a pile of clothing in front of her, but she leapt up at the sight of Liam and rushed to him. They’d known each other for years since he’d fostered at Castle Questing, so she trusted him. He was like a brother to her. Liam took her by the hand as she reached the door, pulling her out as he looked to his mother.
“Close this door and bolt it again,” he said. “I’ll explain more later, but please do it.”
Annaleigh didn’t argue with him. Once Caria was free of the chamber, she shut the door. He heard the bolt thrown. Then he looked at Caria.
“I need a great, great favor from you, lass,” he said quietly. “It is literally a matter of life or death, so will you help me?”
Caria’s eyes were wide on him. “Aye, I will,” she said. “What is happening, Liam? Why are we locked up in a chamber?”
He sighed heavily. “I will tell you, but I must do it quickly,” he said. “We must get over to the hall. What I am about to tellyou must never leave your lips, Caria. I know you are good at keeping secrets because I know yours. I always have, and in all of the years I have known you, you have never once mentioned it to me, so that is how I know you can keep a secret. Now, you must keep another secret that is just as volatile as your own. I know it is a lot to ask, but I must. Can you do it?”
She was looking at him with trepidation.
Caria was a woman with strength. It was innate, but she had also been raised by William and Jordan, so she was no shrinking violet. They had raised her to be brave, to stand for truth and honor, and to be loyal to family. She was also taught to trust, and she had known Liam, and had known his character, long enough to trust the man with her life. To his question, she nodded.
