situation.
He pulled on the rope that hung by the door.
Albert’s voice came through the hidden speakers. “My lord?”
“It is time.”
“Are you certain?”
He felt his cheeks burn hot. “Are you questioning me?”
“No, my lord. Never.”
“Good. Then bring what I requested to the chamber now.”
“Your will is my duty, Your Majesty. Always.”
Hearing Albert say those sweet words meant only for kings calmed his anger. His servant was lowborn but loyal.
Bathry took a deep, soothing breath. Everything was in place. Nothing had been left to question. The plan would continue on without fail.
Looking at the expensive furnishings around him, including the painting of his father and other ancestors, ripped his heart apart. On the floors above were more of his precious treasures. There was no possible way to remove them without drawing attention to himself. If the beast wasn’t dead already, Bathry would slice the pig’s throat for forcing him to this horrible measure.
Just a few small things to tidy up.
Albert appeared in the doorway with two cans of petrol. “Ready, my lord?”
“What a fucking idiotic question,” he spat. “I’ll never be ready.”
“Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to offend you.” The man cringed in fear, making David feel a little better.
Power. That was the most important treasure.
Images of his precious belongings filled his mind. Some could be replaced, but most could not. Anger rolled through him. The halfblood had caused this. He would make sure the bastard paid for this crime.
Waiting for his command, Albert’s head remained bowed. Not the brightest of men, but loyal.
There is no other choice. It must be done. And in an instant, he willed whatever attachment he felt for his treasures away. In the scheme of things they were merely trinkets. He smiled, knowing he had a much bigger prize awaiting him.
“Albert, burn it down.”
CHAPTER 12
9:14 AM (GMT)
Octavian Drake stepped out of the throne room to take the call, leaving the other nobles. “Belisarius, are you on site? Have you spoken to Romulus?”
“I was just about to enter the sanctuary when I saw McCord walking down Baylis Street.”
He felt the blood drain from his face. “What are you talking about? Austin is still underground.”
“Octavian, I am looking at him right now; standing, upright, on the corner of Baylis and Frazier.”
This can’t be happening . “Follow him. Don’t let him out of your sight.”
“What about your brother?”
“I will send someone else to check on him.” Where in the hell is Rom? He should not have let this happen.
“We have another problem,” Belisarius said.
“What now?” Octavian asked, clenching his fists.
“He’s spotted me.”
CHAPTER 13
9:15 AM
Austin sized up the man in the dark suit, committing his features to memory. He was well over six feet, taller than him, but leaner. He had high cheekbones and wavy brown hair, clipped close. If the man hadn’t been fixing him with that penetrating stare, Austin would have probably taken Dark Suit for a banker walking to work. But when the guy started heading his direction, Austin ran.
“Wait, McCord.”
Not a chance. A good soldier knew when to stand his ground and when to pull back to fight another day.
Austin bolted into a narrow alley, which was empty.
He reached into the overcoat, taking hold of the Glock, though not bringing it out— yet . A woman came through a doorway, and he rushed past her into a long passage.
With his heart pounding and adrenaline flowing, he sped through the building and out onto another street. Glancing back, he saw Dark Suit enter the same hall running at full speed.
Austin tore down the road, scanning for some place that could give him cover. A blue delivery van pulled away from the curb. Running, he reached it just in time and opened the rear door. In a single bound, he jumped inside.
“What the bloody hell?” The driver jerked and looked
He pulled on the rope that hung by the door.
Albert’s voice came through the hidden speakers. “My lord?”
“It is time.”
“Are you certain?”
He felt his cheeks burn hot. “Are you questioning me?”
“No, my lord. Never.”
“Good. Then bring what I requested to the chamber now.”
“Your will is my duty, Your Majesty. Always.”
Hearing Albert say those sweet words meant only for kings calmed his anger. His servant was lowborn but loyal.
Bathry took a deep, soothing breath. Everything was in place. Nothing had been left to question. The plan would continue on without fail.
Looking at the expensive furnishings around him, including the painting of his father and other ancestors, ripped his heart apart. On the floors above were more of his precious treasures. There was no possible way to remove them without drawing attention to himself. If the beast wasn’t dead already, Bathry would slice the pig’s throat for forcing him to this horrible measure.
Just a few small things to tidy up.
Albert appeared in the doorway with two cans of petrol. “Ready, my lord?”
“What a fucking idiotic question,” he spat. “I’ll never be ready.”
“Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to offend you.” The man cringed in fear, making David feel a little better.
Power. That was the most important treasure.
Images of his precious belongings filled his mind. Some could be replaced, but most could not. Anger rolled through him. The halfblood had caused this. He would make sure the bastard paid for this crime.
Waiting for his command, Albert’s head remained bowed. Not the brightest of men, but loyal.
There is no other choice. It must be done. And in an instant, he willed whatever attachment he felt for his treasures away. In the scheme of things they were merely trinkets. He smiled, knowing he had a much bigger prize awaiting him.
“Albert, burn it down.”
CHAPTER 12
9:14 AM (GMT)
Octavian Drake stepped out of the throne room to take the call, leaving the other nobles. “Belisarius, are you on site? Have you spoken to Romulus?”
“I was just about to enter the sanctuary when I saw McCord walking down Baylis Street.”
He felt the blood drain from his face. “What are you talking about? Austin is still underground.”
“Octavian, I am looking at him right now; standing, upright, on the corner of Baylis and Frazier.”
This can’t be happening . “Follow him. Don’t let him out of your sight.”
“What about your brother?”
“I will send someone else to check on him.” Where in the hell is Rom? He should not have let this happen.
“We have another problem,” Belisarius said.
“What now?” Octavian asked, clenching his fists.
“He’s spotted me.”
CHAPTER 13
9:15 AM
Austin sized up the man in the dark suit, committing his features to memory. He was well over six feet, taller than him, but leaner. He had high cheekbones and wavy brown hair, clipped close. If the man hadn’t been fixing him with that penetrating stare, Austin would have probably taken Dark Suit for a banker walking to work. But when the guy started heading his direction, Austin ran.
“Wait, McCord.”
Not a chance. A good soldier knew when to stand his ground and when to pull back to fight another day.
Austin bolted into a narrow alley, which was empty.
He reached into the overcoat, taking hold of the Glock, though not bringing it out— yet . A woman came through a doorway, and he rushed past her into a long passage.
With his heart pounding and adrenaline flowing, he sped through the building and out onto another street. Glancing back, he saw Dark Suit enter the same hall running at full speed.
Austin tore down the road, scanning for some place that could give him cover. A blue delivery van pulled away from the curb. Running, he reached it just in time and opened the rear door. In a single bound, he jumped inside.
“What the bloody hell?” The driver jerked and looked
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