by Kim Allred
"Then let's not take the chance. This way." AJ turned right and ran down another hallway before stopping next to an armored suit. She felt along the wainscoting, and a door opened. She pulled Ethan inside the lit passage. "A servant passageway." She took two steps before reaching stairs leading down. "We'll go out through the kitchen."
When they reached the lower floor, AJ pushed the door open, peered out, then stepped into the kitchen. Ethan quickly surveyed the room. The stable fire had emptied the kitchen as it had the hallway upstairs. AJ pulled him through the kitchen, picking up speed as they reached a door beyond the giant hearth.
Ethan didn't bother slowing her down with questions. She knew this manor better than he, and he trusted her survival instincts. When they burst through the outer door, AJ stopped to catch her breath.
They stood in what would be Waverly's food garden, but in February there was nothing left but withered husks from the fall harvest. Ethan gathered his bearings. The conservatory would be to their left.
They moved quickly but didn't run. Ethan cursed the full moon, a spotlight on their backs. They made it across the lawn before shouts broke through the silence of the gardens. He didn't have to tell AJ to hurry because when the second shouts screamed, "Halt," AJ broke out in a full run, skirts lifted as she made for the trees.
It wouldn't matter how fast they ran, the guards would be on them before they could reach the safety of the coach.
AJ must have thought the same thing because she suddenly turned, leaving the small path and cutting across a bed of dried plants, almost losing her footing.
"Where are you going?" Ethan called out, then almost stopped when the single figure stepped out from the trees. His rapidly beating heart almost choked him.
Maire.
56
"Dodger?" Thorn stumbled back, unaware of the guards edging around the room, his wounded expression revealing a man trying to make sense of everything.
Dodger shifted his gaze. He reached out, palms up as if in offering.
"You betrayed us?" Thorn asked again.
"I did it for Peele."
Thorn shook his head, not understanding. "How is this vengeance for Peele?"
Dodger pointed his chin toward Beckworth. "How could we work with him? With my brother in the ground."
Thorn turned his gaze on Beckworth and spat. "I have no love for that man. I have an old debt that will be cleared one day." His frown deepened, a confused sadness in his gaze. "As much as I hate him, he wasn't the cause of Peele's death. That was the duke and Dugan."
"He was part of it. He might as well have put the sword through my brother."
"So you betray us to the more guilty of the two?" Thorn stepped back, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Dodger staggered, seeming confused by Thorn's response. His eyes dulled, his voice hollow when he finally looked at Thorn. "And now you'd run me through?"
"You haven't just betrayed Beckworth. You've betrayed us all."
"No." Dodger's face lit up, eyes glazed with a madness he'd hidden from everyone. "I have the viscount's guarantee you and I will walk away from this. He said he'd make Dugan pay for his misdeed."
Finn backed up a step, pushing Beckworth with him into the shadows of the passage. He slowly withdrew his sword and whispered to Beckworth, "We need another way out."
Beckworth shook his head but moved another step up the stairs. "There aren't many places left to run."
"Have you gone mad?" Thorn yelled. "This viscount won't punish Dugan. He's his right-hand man." Now he spat at the feet of Dodger. "And you think I'd turn my back on friends. Just walk away while they're butchered. That makes me an accomplice to your betrayal. Do you think I could live with that?"
"You'll see. This was the only way to avenge Peele's death."
"Not my way." Thorn drew his sword, and Dodger answered with his own.
Dugan's men stepped back to let the two fight.
Finn took a step down, but Beckworth grabbed his arm before he could take another. "Thorn. This isn't the time."
"There is no better time, my friend," Thorn called back, keeping his steady gaze on his bodyguard. "I cannot let this stand." Thorn ran at Dodger, his rapier sword swinging madly as Dodger stepped back to block, clearly not wanting to battle Thorn, his mad eyes glazed with confusion.
The room rang with the sound of steel as Thorn pushed his advantage, each swing precise, his feet easily sidestepping Dodger's more clumsy moves.
Beckworth tugged on his arm, but Finn couldn't take his eyes away from the macabre scene. All their plans for naught. A traitor in their midst. He hated it when his sixth sense was right.
Thorn stepped on a broken stone, his step faltering. When he began to fall, Dodger's sword swung wildly. Finn thought Dodger had gotten the upper hand, but Thorn landed on a knee. Before Dodger could bring his sword around, Thorn's sword came up and pierced Dodger in the chest.
The big man poised as if caught in a midair dance. His eyes bulged as they glanced down to the sword buried halfway into his chest. Blood spilled from his mouth. His free hand reached out for Thorn as he fell. Thorn caught him before he hit the ground.
"I'm sorry, my friend. So very, very sorry." Thorn laid him gently on the ground. Tears dripped down his face. He glanced up at Finn. "I'm sorry."
"Not your fault." Then Finn saw Dugan's men step from the shadows. "Behind you." Finn lifted his sword.
Thorn pulled his blade from Dodger's chest, twirled, and caught the first man in the chest. He twisted, lunged, then fell back. Finn moved forward, but Beckworth stopped him again.
"There are too many. We don't have much time." Beckworth tugged at him.
"We can't leave him."
"He's already dead."
Finn knew Beckworth was right. Thorn took another man down, but at great cost. More of Dugan's men entered the room. Thorn was surrounded, but he took down a third man. For a moment, there was a small break in the line, and Finn thought Thorn might get away. Until another man attacked from behind, running his sword through Thorn's back. Thorn stumbled, pushing another man away as he turned. Blood soaked the front of his shirt where the tip of the blade protruded.
He caught Finn's gaze and smiled. With the last of his strength, he gave Finn a short salute, winked, then turned, burying his sword into the chest of the man who killed him. His revenge complete.
As Thorn fell, Beckworth tugged on Finn again. "Now. Quickly. There's nothing you could have done."
Finn backed away. The horror and loss almost doubling him over. Everyone in jeopardy for something so misguided. How had they not seen it?
They raced up the stairs. When they reached the second floor, Beckworth ducked down a passage on the right. "They'll be on us any minute. There's one last door that might still get us out of here."
"Another secret tunnel? It better be close." Finn kept looking back, the pounding of footsteps growing louder.
"I didn't think to mention it since I didn't think we'd need it." Beckworth raised the lantern then stopped. He ran his fingers over a stone in the wall that looked like all the others. "This is it. It leads down to an underground passage and ends at one of the outbuildings. I doubt anyone is watching that area."
Finn fumbled in his pocket. "Here." He handed the stone AJ had given him back to Beckworth.
"What are you doing?" Beckworth gaped at him before staring at the stone he never wanted to see again. "Are you as mad as the rest of them?"
"Probably. But if they know our plans, Dugan would have set traps for everyone. Maire may not have made it out with the book. AJ and Ethan…" He shook his head, unwilling to consider what might be happening outside the manor. "You're the only one that knows this place. Knows what happened because of Dodger's betrayal. If they catch us both, we'll be dead. I think I have a way to stay alive, but I need to know you survived. My capture will give you time. You must get word to Hensley and the earl." He closed his eyes, hoping AJ was safe, that he was making the right decision
. "Someone has to tell AJ."
"This is madness."
"Just go. We can't both be caught. And, more importantly, they can't get their hands on another stone." He shoved Beckworth into the dark passage, and once the man was through, Finn fell against the door, sealing it. He grabbed the lantern and ran forward. He made it twenty feet.
"Stop, or we'll shoot you where you stand."
Finn turned.
"We meet again." Dugan stood with hands on hips. Two of his men stood behind him, both with pistols. "It's been a long time. You and I have unfinished business." He bent to one side, peering around Finn. "And where did Beckworth run off to? He was always good for that, you know. Running away when the fun was just getting started. But no matter, we'll find him."
Finn dropped his sword, not willing to take a chance against pistols. "How did you get Dodger to go against us?"
"One of my men recognized him at the inn, drinking away the sad loss of his brother. I was surprised how easy it was for Reginald to convince him to our side. But simple minds or mad ones." He shrugged. "Now you and I have a chance to get better acquainted."
"If you knew we were coming for the book, why weren't you waiting for us in Reginald's bedroom?"
Dugan smile faded, and he shook his head. "I hate to admit that the son is as mad as his father. He wanted to see if Beckworth could find the book. I told him it would be too risky, but there's some bad blood between the two brothers."
At first, Finn thought Dugan was referring to Beckworth when he spoke of madness then realized he was speaking of Reginald. So Dugan had noticed the madness. "And still you follow him?"
"I follow my mistress." Dugan straightened. "And if her desire is for me to keep her worthless son alive, then that is what I will do. Now, come with us. I imagine there might be one or two of your team still alive."
When Dugan's two men moved forward to retrieve him, Finn didn't go easily. He punched the first one. The unexpected attack knocking the man flat. Then he caught the other man's hand and bent it back. When the man screamed, Finn slammed his head into the other man's face, then punched him in the kidney. He knew he'd pay for his attack, but the longer it took for him to go down, the more time Beckworth had to get away. His only hope was that Dugan let him live long enough to play his last card.
Something hard hit the back of his head. He fell to his knees. When the second blow came, it barely registered as he fell forward. "AJ," was his last word as darkness descended.
AJ torpedoed across the lawn, and though she was running as fast as she could, Ethan's pounding steps were right behind her. She didn't know what was happening. How had Dugan known about their presence at the ball? Her only goal was to get to the coach. Concern for Finn crushed her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She pushed her fear aside, following Finn's instructions—safety first, worry later.
The sound of men yelling for them to stop told her they were too close. Should they dare run straight for the coach, or try to lose the men in the woods and then double back? She'd hesitated too long and missed the footpath leading to the trees. It didn't matter with most of the winter garden mulched into the ground. She barely slowed as she veered from the path. Her foot stumbled over the uneven landscape, but she regained her footing before she fell. The brush of Ethan's hands ready to catch her.
She found the curving path that wound through a different part of the woods. When she glanced up, Maire stepped from the trees.
Her heart dropped to her stomach, landing with an aching thud. She wasn't supposed to be here. She was supposed to be with Finn.
When she reached Maire, AJ led them deeper into the trees before turning back toward the carriage. Ethan grabbed both women, then followed AJ's decision to make their way back to the coach. Maire tugged wildly for Ethan to stop.
"It's too late," Maire cried out. "Dugan's men are already at the coach. Lando and the other men are outnumbered."
"How is this possible?" Ethan cursed.
The men chasing them had temporarily lost their trail. But the guards soon discovered their mistake, and their shouts had turned to where the three of them stood.
"Run," Ethan yelled.
Maire took the lead, weaving through the trees. The ground was scattered with fallen limbs and other forest debris, and both women tripped. Only Ethan's quick reflexes prevented them from falling.
Ethan pulled them to a stop. "We won't be able to outrun them in here."
"We could head left toward where the other teams are," AJ huffed out.
"Not enough time. They're almost on us." Ethan pushed the women behind a cluster of trees that partially blocked them from view. Ethan glanced down at AJ. "We need the Heart Stone."
She stepped back. "Why?"
"You know why."
She shook her head. What was he thinking? "We have to get to Eleanor's."
"We won't make it another dozen yards." He ran a hand through his hair and gave Maire a heartbreaking look. "They're going to catch us. I have no weapons to fight with. They'll put Maire back in her cell, and you as well if you're lucky. I won't survive the night."
AJ recoiled at the thought, but the truth stung. "We should at least try for Finn."
Ethan grabbed her arms, pulling her close so she had no option but to look him in the eyes. "Finn has a stone, remember? He'll be able to follow us. He'll see the fog. Once he knows you're home, he'll know what to do."
AJ glanced at Maire, who was shaking her head. Maire didn't want to leave, might even be afraid of jumping. Who could blame her? She wasn't looking forward to it herself, even to save their own necks.
"AJ. We don't have any more time. We can't let them get too close."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out the necklace. Her hand shook as the Heart Stone swung heavily from the chain. But her focus was on her wedding band. Her heart clenched. She'd arrived in this century without her husband, and now she was thinking of leaving without him. This was all so wrong.
"AJ. Listen to me. Our team is outnumbered. We may have lost half of them already."
The thought of losing anyone sent a jolt of ice through her. Lando? Jamie? The others? She gasped a sob, undecided.
"The fog could be the only thing that can save them."
Her gaze darted to his. The fog was thick, soundless. The men would have a chance to escape if they didn't blunder right into Dugan's men. They would know what the fog meant. They'd have an advantage.
The shouts of Dugan's men grew louder.
God forgive her. She touched the Heart Stone and began reciting the incantation.
"No," Maire yelled. Ethan grabbed her around the waist and held her firm, refusing to let her go, as she beat at his arms.
Ethan took hold of AJ's arm, ensuring they were all connected.
When AJ finished the spell, she reached out for Maire. "It's all right. I hate this as much as you, but this may be the only way to save them."
Maire stopped struggling. They all scanned the woods, watching for the mist.
Dugan's men spotted them and were almost on them when the first tendrils of fog worked their way through the trees, moving fast. By the time the mist had thickened, the three of them had stepped closer until they formed a tight triangle, hands grasping each other.
Dugan's men stopped, unsure what was happening as a silence blanketed the woods.
AJ gave a quick glance toward the men, hoping none were thinking of shooting. She needn't have worried. The men had frozen, mouths hung open, fear widening their gazes as the mist continued to thicken.
It was the last sight AJ glimpsed through her tears as the fog took them.
Thank You For Reading!
But don't go! Keep reading for a glimpse of AJ and Finn's final journey in The Heart Stone, Book 6 of the Mórdha Stone Chronicles. Now available to order.
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The Heart St
one
England - 1804
Beads of sweat trickled down AJ Moore's temple. The light breeze that stirred the leaves shielding her location did nothing to dry the perspiration. It wasn't a particularly warm day, but the tension from perching in the tree strained her muscles. She'd been staring at the stone building for the last twenty minutes. She was growing impatient but forced her limbs, which were beginning to go numb, to remain still.
Other than the slight rustling of leaves, nothing else stirred. Even the birds seemed to wait in quiet anticipation. The peacefulness was so complete, the twang of the bow startled her, but she tracked the arrow as it flew towards its target, hitting the first guard in the chest. The second guard turned when his partner fell. He bent down which was his dumb luck as the second arrow, that AJ was sure had been aimed at his chest, struck him in the head, piercing his skull.
AJ nocked her arrow, moving her bow from left to right, searching for the other guards. A man approached from the left side of the building, stopping in front of the door when he noticed the other two guards down. He scanned the clearing, musket drawn and ready to fire. Without hesitation, she aimed at the man's chest and loosed the arrow. She knew when the arrow left the bow that she'd lifted her head to soon. Instead of hitting the guard's chest, the arrow pierced his left arm and, fortuitously for her, pinned him to the wooden door. An instant later, a second arrow hit him in the chest, finishing the job.
"Sorry," AJ muttered.
"That's all right, love," Beckworth whispered. "You set up the target for me." He'd been sitting in the crook of a second branch, just off AJ's left shoulder.
She shifted position and gritted her teeth at the painful tingling of nerves in her right leg. Ignoring her discomfort, she nocked another arrow. Fitz had surveyed the area earlier and confirmed six guards, assuming no other men had arrived before their team moved into place.
"Besides," Beckworth rested against the trunk of the tree. "It's good to know you haven't quite worked up the urge to kill anyone."
