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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Ellery

“Fletcher,” Ruby gasped.

That was when I realized Billy was kneeling in a puddle of his father’s blood. My heart lurched. Mr. Fletcher hadn’t just fallen and started bleeding everywhere.

Something happened here.

My focus had been riveted on the blood and tears streaking Billy’s cheeks, but movement drew my attention to the shadows behind Billy. The sorrow blooming in my chest swiftly turned to horror and then fury.

“Milady,” Gaius greeted with a smile that didn’t reach his golden-brown eyes. “I knew you’d return.”

Beside me, Callan’s hand went to the hilt of his sword, but it froze when Gaius rested his hand on Billy’s shoulder. Ruby cried out as Gaius lifted Billy and pressed a blade against the boy’s throat.

“No, please, let him go,” Ruby pleaded. “He’s just a boy.”

“He’s a boy entwined with traitors and….” His voice trailed off as his eyes raked me. When he licked his lips, Ianto growled.

Gaius chuckled as he glanced at the giant. “How many men are you fucking, milady?”

“All of them but you.”

Billy’s and Ruby’s breaths sucked in when Gaius dug the knife a little deeper. When blood trickled down Billy’s throat, Scarlet seized my arm. “Lery, please.”

“Let him go,” I whispered.

“Oh, how I love to hear you beg, milady,” Gaius murmured.

I bit back a retort. I loathed this man, but I wouldn’t get Billy hurt because of my inability to keep my mouth shut.

My attention shifted briefly to Mr. Fletcher. The only thing moving was the growing pool of blood beneath him; I couldn’t tell if he was dead or alive.

“What did you do?” I whispered.

“Anyone standing between you and me will die,” Gaius said.

I bit back a laugh. “If it wasn’t for Billy, I could kill you.”

Gaius grinned at me. “Well, why do you think I have the boy? I’m here for you, milady. No one else has to get hurt.”

“And what do you plan to do with me?” I asked. “The duke will never let you keep me.”

“He doesn’t have to know I have you. Where’s Ryker?” He focused on the open portal behind us while waiting for Ryker to emerge.

“He’s not here,” I told him.

When his eyes returned to me, they glittered with malice. “He didn’t kill the king and risk everything to get you off that field only to disappear now.”

“He’s not here,” I said again. “He had something else to do.”

“You’re lying.”

“Scarlet, close the portal,” I told her.

She never tore her eyes away from her brother as she waved the portal closed. I kept my attention on Gaius and Billy as I tried to figure out how to get him away from that monster.

“Ryker’s not here now, but he’s coming soon,” I said. “If he finds you here, he’ll kill you.”

“Will he?” Gaius asked. Billy squawked as more blood trickled from under the blade before Gaius eased up on it. “If that’s so, then we should probably leave.”

“And go where ? If you plan on hiding me from the duke, then where would we go? He’ll have everyone in the realm looking for me; he’ll probably be here soon too.”

“He will,” Gaius confirmed. “I came as soon as I lost sight of you in the crowd. I knew you’d return for these amsirah.”

His mouth curled in distaste as if the idea of my love for Scarlet and her family was one of the most disgusting things he’d ever encountered.

“So, if the duke is coming soon, you should leave,” I said.

The idea of that man showing up here made my palms sweat, but I stared at Gaius as if it didn’t matter.

“Not without you,” he replied.

“If he finds you here and realizes you’re going against him, he’ll kill you.”

“Which is why you should join me now, Ellery.”

As he spoke, he dug the blade further into Billy’s neck. The boy lifted his chin to avoid having his skin sliced more.