Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 90737 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90737 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Both men had joined Cree and Henry when they had seen them walking toward the woods.
“What purpose then would he have had to send me here?” Torin said, shaking his head. “Nay, he would have advised me of such an intention.”
“Then it is surely Ivan’s tracker, and he has gone to inform the man that we caught the demon,” Newlin said as if declaring the mystery solved. “I would not be surprised if he showed up here soon, inquiring about the demon we caught.”
“We do not know if she is a demon,” Cree said.
“The only way to find out for sure is to torture her,” Newlin said. “I have seen men confess to heinous acts that the devil made them do under the pain of torture. I have no doubt the woman will tell us all we need to know and quickly.”
“She already confessed to me that she saw a small band of men in the woods and from what I could surmise, I believe them mercenaries,” Cree said, thinking it would appease Newlin enough to forgo the torture, since he had no intention of allowing him to torture the woman.
“She lies,” Newlin accused. “She tries to make us believe her innocence by laying blame on a band of men that probably does not exist.”
“He may be right,” Torin said. “Has your tracker found any traces of such a band of men, Lord Cree?”
Cree nodded to Henry to respond to the question.
“As to date, nay, but the woman may have seen the men beyond where my search has taken me,” Henry said.
“We need to question her,” Newlin insisted.
“First, we need to change the sentinels schedule and where they are posted,” Cree said and when Newlin scrunched his brow in question, he explained. “The lass my wife has seen twice has slipped past the sentinels and now this tracker has done the same. They know too well when and where the sentinels will be at any given time. That all must change and now. We also need to widen the perimeter of our search.”
“Why?” Newlin asked. “We have caught the demon. There is nothing more to fear.”
“Until we know that for certain, we continue to take precautions,” Cree ordered.
“I agree with Lord Cree,” Torin said. “It is the wise thing to do.”
Newlin reluctantly agreed letting them know he thought it unnecessary, and they walked off discussing what needed to be done.
It was hours before Cree returned with Newlin and Torin to the keep. He was pleased to see his wife sitting at the table where he had left her, though he wasn’t foolish enough to think she had not moved from the spot since then. Tavia and Flora were with her, and the three appeared to be involved in a lively conversation. His wife’s smile widened when she caught sight of him, and he returned it, eager to join her.
“All has gone well thus far for you?” Cree asked, sliding in beside her on the bench and curling his arm around her waist to tuck her close to him.
Dawn nodded. The time he had been gone had been most productive for her as had her thoughts which she intended to discuss with him later. A few short gestures let him know that.
“I look forward to it,” Cree said.
The spark of passion that flashed in his dark eyes told her he was looking forward to more than the discussion. She rested her hand on his thigh, letting it faintly brush near his manhood for him to know she felt the same.
“All is well, Da?” Tavia asked, her da sitting beside Flora and across from where she sat next to Dawn. She also noticed how quickly Torin had seated himself next to Flora and how her cousin was not happy about being stuck between the two men.
“Aye, all goes well,” Newlin assured her. “Are you ready for when your husband arrives?”
Tavia did not want to think about that, least of all talk about it. This was her home, and she did not want to leave it. She nodded, though wore no smile.
Torin offered what he thought sound advice. “Lord Bhric is a good man. Obey his word and you will have a good life with him.”
Cree laughed. “Lord Bhric has much to learn about wives.”
Seeing Torin’s face pinch with annoyance, Newlin hurried to say, “Tavia is a good, obedient daughter and will make Lord Bhric a good, obedient wife.”
“Lord Bhric will be glad to hear that,” Torin said.
Cree tilted his head at Newlin. “I remember meeting your wife, Margaret—”
“A good, obedient wife, bless her soul,” Newlin said with pleading eyes on Cree.
“Brave as well,” Cree said, turning his glance on Tavia.
“Aye, I have heard countless stories of how brave and strong my mum was,” Tavia said.
“Lord Bhric will be happy to hear you come from good stock,” Torin said.