Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92771 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“Rufus’ family does well, and he is grateful. The lass’ hearing has greatly improved since Shade cleared her ears of the wax with her ear pick. Several others in the clan who have difficulty hearing have gone to her and have had good results as well.”
“That may be so, but changing the talk to his daughter’s hearing will not help the matter. You were wrong, Nug,” Quint said, ready to lash out in anger at the man for being so foolish but knowing it would not help the situation.
“I had no choice. I had to protect my clan, and Rufus was the obvious choice in who to send. He’s proven trustworthy.”
“Trustworthy? Or was it the incentive for him to accept the task since his wife and daughters reside safely here and would continue to do so? Something I have no doubt you reminded him about.”
“He saw the wisdom in our plan and offered to help and, aye, it was because he wanted his family kept safe just like we all do.”
“I hope you advised Rufus wisely so that Lord Torrance doesn’t force him to return to the mercenaries while he sends another in his place.”
“I did. I told him to let Lord Torrance know that The Monk trusts him and his word and that he should tell him that The Monk did take some mercenaries prisoners since they were being greedy, trying to take what rightfully belonged to Lord Torrance. I also told Rufus not to worry if Torrance sent some men with him that we would take care of them when he arrived home.”
“Home. A word he no doubt cherished.”
“Don’t we all?” Nug asked.
The door opened and Shade entered. “Why do I hear whispers of The Monk ruling the clan? Had we not decided to wait on Dru’s return to decide?”
Quint cast Nug an angry glance.
“I may have mentioned something to one person,” Nug confessed.
Shade looked at Nug bewildered. “One person is all that is necessary to spread news in a clan.”
“Nug was just about to take his leave,” Quint said, dismissing the man.
Shade said nothing, realizing her husband would speak with her alone to explain.
Nug nodded and walked to the door.
“NUG!” Quint shouted, stopping him.
He turned to face Quint and paled, the angry scowl on his face rushing a fright through him.
“This is your one and only warning. There will be no reminders, no forgiveness. Go behind my back again and I guarantee that you will not like the consequences. And since I now rule Clan MacLeish, nothing will be done without my command.”
“Aye, sir,” Nug said and hurried to close the door behind him.
Worry had Shade’s stomach churning as she hurried to her husband. “I fear that he uses you out of desperation to save his clan and cares not what happens to you because of it. I do not like this plan, Quint.”
“It has already been set in motion. There is no changing it now,” he said, running his hand down her arm in a tender caress. “Nug took it upon himself to send Rufus with a message to Lord Torrance. I can’t say I blame him since he fights for the safety and future of his clan. All we can do now is wait until we receive a response and see where we go from there.”
“What if Lord Torrance sends a troop of his own warriors with Rufus?”
“If the offer is accepted, then the warriors will have no choice but to obey my commands. If not, they can join the other prisoners in the dungeon.”
“This unsettles me. You are one man. You cannot go against a troop of men.” Shade turned away from him, shaking her head. His hand closed firmly around her arm, stopping her from putting any more distance between them, and she turned to look at him.
She expected to see a storm brewing in his blue eyes and what she saw surprised her.
Concern. Concern for her.
He inched closer to her as he eased her toward him. “I am confident this will work to my advantage.”
“And I am confident that your unquenchable thirst for revenge could harm more than appease.” She rested her hand on his chest. “Promise me that you will seek no more vengeance once you are finished with Asher. That it will be over, and we will be free to live our lives.”
“I will never be free and either will Amara until I have all the answers and that includes knowing why Asher wanted Amara dead and the monks as well. I need to know if it was only Asher or if others were involved. I need to do this, and I will.”
“What if the tentacles become never-ending? What if the cost is too high? The consequences unbearable?” she asked, forcing him to realize what his need for revenge could cost them and making him consider if it was worth it.