The Kingmakers(142)

“You can't touch it,” Gareth warned.

“If I don't touch it—” Baudoin began, but his words turned to a shriek as his fist closed over the talisman. He tore it from Gareth's neck and flung it across the room before sinking to his knees with a whimper, clutching his sizzling hand. “—how will I save you?”

Gareth reached for the reeling Baudoin, but the chains held him back. He tested them again, but his heavy arms still couldn't tear metal free from stone.

Amazingly, Baudoin staggered to his feet. “That hurts.”

“Yes. Can you free me from these chains? I must get back to Edinburgh.”

The servant rolled his eyes and patted Gareth's chest with his good hand. “I'll be fine, my lord. Don't worry about me.” He walked with unsteady steps into the corridor and returned dragging a chair that he placed in front of Gareth. He climbed onto the seat, wavered for a second, and then reached up. His rough tunic rubbed across Gareth's face.

“Aren't there guards outside?” Gareth watched the servant's fingers fumble with the manacles.

“Not now.”

“Did you find keys?” The prince could see the pain etched on his man's face, but even so, Baudoin kept working.

“Not necessary. The manacles are just pinned. Fortunately, living with you has given me the dexterity of a human.” There was a metallic click, and Gareth's right hand dropped free. Baudoin started to work on the left wrist.

“Thank you, Baudoin. You are a marvel. This is just the sort of thing that always happens to the Greyfriar in books. When things look darkest, a miracle.”

Baudoin suddenly stiffened.

Gareth glanced up. “What's wrong?”

The servant's face lowered to look at his friend. His mouth twitched and opened slowly. His eyes narrowed with great sadness. With quivering lips, he murmured, “Gareth…my boy.”

“Baudoin!” Gareth reached with his free arm to support Baudoin as he began to drop. Behind the servant's slumping form, he saw Flay.

The war chief raised a bloody claw to her mouth. “How many others must die for you?”

“Just one more!” Gareth shouted, and grabbed for the murderous Flay. He felt a pull on his left arm as he tore the chain loose. He caught her by the coat, his wrist trailing the chain with a broken haft on the far end. He let Baudoin drop and seized Flay by the neck with his claws. He surged forward, tearing at her throat, lifting her off the floor.

Flay clawed at Gareth's face. She dug into his right forearm, trying to pry his sharp fingers from her bleeding neck. He slammed her full against the wall, and her breath flew out. Without pause, Gareth pulled her forward and smashed her into the stones again. And again. He pounded her abdomen with his fist and heard ribs crack under his knuckles.

Flay snapped at him with her teeth, latching onto the tendons at the base of his neck. She ripped, and his fingers loosened from her throat. She made to escape the close quarters, to bring her speed to bear.

Before she could slip away, Gareth pushed his right forearm against her gnashing mouth and she instinctively bit hard, tearing into his muscle. He dug his left claws into her ribs while pounding the back of her head like a piston against the wall. Her eyes rolled back and her attack slackened. Gareth drove his arm deeper into her mouth, stretching her bloody jaws wider.

Flay's eyelids flickered, and she started to refocus on him. Gareth pulled his arm free and gathered the chain in his scarred hands. The war chief started to bolt, but he looped the heavy links around her neck and pulled tight. Flay gasped and frantically grabbed for the chain. Even in his battered state, she couldn't match Gareth's fury. She turned her claws on him, tearing his face and throat. He felt the blows, but ignored them, pulling the unyielding steel chain ever tighter.

Flay's desperation turned to panic. Her eyes locked on Gareth's in a second of unfamiliar fear. She gasped, “Gareth…we…”

“There is no we.” He strengthened his death grip on her.

Flay sank her claws into his forearms, raking flesh and tearing muscle. She dug so frantically, several claws snapped off. Gareth stared beyond her, listening to the sounds of her dying struggle. He thought of Baudoin. He thought of what Flay would do to Adele if given the chance. He pulled the chain ever tighter.

Then he heard Flay's heart flutter with its final weak beats. And it stopped.

Her form went slack, and Gareth let it drop to the floor. He watched the chain links slide over Flay's lifeless throat and follow him as he stepped back. He scrambled to Baudoin.

“I'm so sorry, my friend.” Gareth placed his hand briefly against the cold cheek of his beloved mentor. “Thank you for everything.”

Gareth straightened and then lurched for the door. He scrambled up the stairs toward open air. Vampire figures raced past him. He paused, ready to fight, but they ignored him and took to the sky.