The Kingmakers(131)

Baudoin took up a position in front of Gareth also, protecting him.

More footsteps pounded out in the hall. Adele's Harmattan.

Nzingu dropped a hemp bag on the floor into one of the rune circles. It exploded in a flash of sound and a crackling of energy. Baudoin threw himself over Gareth while Adele dove to the side.

A crash of glass told Adele that Nzingu had made her escape out a window. She turned to the Harmattan crowding in the doorway.

“She's outside! Stop her!”

Shirazi made fast hand signals to his men before he and three soldiers ran for the broken window and leapt through in pursuit of the assassin without heed of danger. The rest of the Harmattan spun on their heels and raced off down the corridor.

Adele crawled over to Gareth and her chest constricted. There was so much blood, and the cruel gash across his throat was like a grisly smile. When she touched him, he winced. She cursed herself; she was imbued with energy. She dare not come near him.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered, his voice barely above a hoarse hiss, trying to rise.

“For what?” Adele signaled Baudoin to help Gareth as she had to force herself to move back. Gareth's eyes darted to the body of Corporal Darby.

She pulled herself to her feet. “You saved me. You both did.”

Baudoin cradled Gareth's head. “He needs blood.”

“I can't. My blood will kill him now.” Adele shook her head in anguish. “Go. Tell the people what has happened. I'll stay here to protect him.”

Baudoin slowly relinquished his place, lowering Gareth onto the floor wet with his blood. Then he rose and ran from the room at a speed Adele couldn't follow.

Immediately Gareth's head turned toward her. “You're hurt too.”

“I'll manage. The wound isn't deep. It hit the muscle. I'll be sore, but mobile.”

“Can you help me stand? I have to get out of this room.”

“No.” Adele let out a shuddering anxious breath. “I can't touch you. We must wait until help comes.”

Gareth seemed satisfied by that. He held her with his eyes as they remained apart for what seemed like hours. Finally, Adele gratefully heard the sound of approaching feet.

Captain Shirazi returned, wheezing from exertion. The report on his lips faded when he saw the state of the empress, and he started moving toward her. Then he stopped short over the mutilated body of Corporal Darby, staring down. His pistol cleared its holster, and he pointed it at Gareth.

“Captain, put your weapon aside,” Adele commanded.

Shirazi knelt over the dead soldier. His hand touched the bare shoulder where two puncture marks could be seen. “It fed from him!”

“To save me!” Adele shouted. “Corporal Darby was already dying. If Gareth hadn't gotten to me in time, I would be dead now too.”

“He was a brave man,” Gareth said quietly. “He tried his best to stop the assassin. He did not fear death. I made sure he felt no pain.”

Shirazi's face remained hard, but his eyes drifted back to the still body of his chosen man. His mouth worked free of its grimace, and his gun lowered.

“Please help me with Prince Gareth,” Adele said. “We need to get him to a room, but I can't carry him.”

The captain hesitated with a look of disgust.

Adele demanded, “Pick him up, Captain. Please!”

Shirazi now obeyed his empress. Gareth was a terrible sight to behold; he stank of burning flesh and his wounds were horrific. The captain knelt and easily gathered the prince into his arms. Adele led them upstairs.

As Shirazi settled Gareth into a bed, Adele asked, “What of the assassin?”

“Gone,” Shirazi informed her. “We followed the blood trail down to the Grassmarket and then lost it. My men are sweeping the area. From the amount of blood, I expect they will find her body soon.”

Baudoin appeared in the door with Morgana behind him. The serving girl's face was terrified when she saw the state of the prince.

“He'll recover from this,” Adele assured Morgana, embracing her.

Morgana gulped, but then noticed Adele limping. She saw the bloody leg. “You're injured too!”

“You help him.” She gestured toward Gareth lying pale on the bed. “My men will help me. All right?”

Morgana wiped her tears away. “Aye, miss. We'll help him. Don't you worry.”

Shirazi stepped over to Adele and dipped a shoulder under hers. They walked out of the room, where they found a line of townspeople that stretched down the corridor. The captain looked at the people in surprise.

“They're here of their own free will,” Adele told him. “These people care for him as you do for me. Gareth isn't a monster, Captain.”

“I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.” Shirazi stared in mute wonder as they passed the anxious people.