Page 48 of If I Were Wind
I peered at Sam. He pressed a finger against his lips.
“You know that if I say something, they’re going to punish me,” Clare snapped.
“We must use what we have. I can protect you. I’m not useless, despite what the bloody condottiero might think.”
A high-pitched laugh rose from Clare. “Are you joking? Roy and Kristin managed to push you aside and get Allen on their side. How can you protect me?”
Sam shot me a glance, brow arched.
Kenneth and Clare emerged from the woods and came to a grinding halt in front of us. A moment of stillness stretched as we stared at each other. Kenneth’s dark-brown hair didn’t show any trace of dust. His hallowed suit was spotless as well. Clare’s cheeks were flushed and her hair dishevelled.
Sam cleared his throat. “Lieutenant, do you need help in your search?”
Glowering, Kenneth pulled Clare closer. “We don’t need any help. Why aren’t you with your partners?”
“We can’t find Peggy and Nathan, sir.” Sam bowed his head.
A flare of interest sparked in Clare’s face. “Shame. So you two are here doing nothing. Completely useless.”
“Well, we were patrolling…” Sam stammered.
I poked him in the ribs. “Leave it,” I whispered.
“And where’s your paramour?” Kenneth asked. “As the coward he is, he left when things got too difficult and dangerous for him.”
“Roy would never do that,” I gritted out, aware that I’d been the first to mention Roy’s name, confirming that when he said ‘paramour’ I thought of Roy.
“Oh, there are so many things he’d do.” Kenneth leered.
I closed my fists. “Why do you hate him so much?”
“I don’t hate him. Or you. I only want what Roy has.” The harsh lines in his face relaxed, and for a moment, he looked like a kind man who struggled for respect. “He got everything on a platter without deserving it, only because he’s the condottiero. But he isn’t better than anyone else.” And the venom was back. Bitter and scorching.
“Enjoy your walk, then.” Clare turned and rubbed herself against Kenneth in a sensual dance until they merged into a brown lion with a golden mane around its neck.
Sam and I stepped aside to let them pass. The beast’s nose wrinkled before the lion jumped into the brush in a perfect, elegant move.
“What was all that about?” he whispered. “Clare punished? For what reason?”
I could think of a couple. Her secret skill, for example. But I didn’t think that was what Clare had meant.
“I’m not sure. Clare and I have never been close.”
Sam stared at the spot where the lion had disappeared. “Do you think we should report their conversation to Allen?”
“I’ll talk to Roy first.” If I’d ever see him again.
We turned around the hill and started down the trail, along the path and past the torn fence. Flames were still erupting from the mill, but the blaze wasn’t a giant tower of fire anymore. People in different uniforms were working through the rubble while tall jets of water came out of hoses. Steam rose, adding to the curtain of smoke around the mill.
It took us an hour to complete the round, going up the hills and then down towards the river. But aside from other beasts covering the grounds, we didn’t see anyone, especially our partners. Defeated and covered in soot, we dragged our sorry selves towards the manor. Dusk was creeping over the destruction of the mill. Searchlights lit the ground, adding eerie shadows to the silent park. A nagging feeling pricked the back of my neck as I climbed the steps to the entrance. Peggy, Nathan, and Roy had disappeared, although Roy was probably with Allen.
“We should see if they need help in the hospital wing,” Sam said.
“Yes, I’m sure they do. We can check if Peggy and Nathan are there.”
Footsteps padded along the corridor, a pair of uneven steps I’d recognise anywhere.
“Are you all right, lass?” Ashcombe came out of a door in the hallway, brow furrowed with worry, his mouth pulled tight.