“But Kadar never likes to wait.” A man in a billowing black cloak stood on the top step, looking down at them. “So I came to greet him.”
Kadar inclined his head. “Good day, Nasim.”
“It is a good day now. I’ve been waiting a long time.”
Selene suppressed a shudder as she saw Nasim’s fierce gaze fasten on Kadar like the talons of an eagle. Why, she was afraid of this man. She hadn’t been afraid of Sinan, though she supposed she should have been. But this man… The menace and power that surrounded him were nearly visible. Nasim was clearly an old man. His face was deeply lined and his dark hair, tied back in a queue, was white at the temples. But his eyes glittered with an almost feverish vitality that defied age.
Kadar didn’t seem afraid. He said lightly, “It’s the least you could do after I’ve come such a long distance at your request.”
“Command.”
“Request,” Kadar repeated with a smile. “I no longer obey commands, Nasim.”
“Brave words. It’s deeds that count. You don’t seem surprised that it’s I who summoned you.” His glance shifted to Balkir.
The captain flinched and said hurriedly, “He guessed, but not until we were almost here. I didn’t tell him. He already knew when he came to me and-”
“You have the brains of an ox.” Nasim’s gaze shifted to Selene. “Who is this?”
“The lady Selene,” Balkir said. “It was necessary that I-”
“You have bold eyes,” Nasim said. “Too bold for a woman.”
“Lower your eyes,” Balkir muttered.
She would
“Why is she here, Balkir?” Nasim didn’t wait for an answer. “Your choice, Kadar?”
“No, a mistake on the part of the captain,” Kadar said. “She’ll only be in the way.”
“He couples with her,” Balkir said quickly. “I saw him.”
“And did you see anything but conflict between us other than that one unimportant act?”
“I thought she might prove useful.” Balkir’s desperate gaze was fixed on Nasim. “But if it displeases you, I will dispose of her.”
“Why do that?” Kadar asked. “Send her back to Montdhu with the boy. It will pacify Lord Ware and prevent the possibility of him coming after her.”
“Boy?”
Balkir jerked his head in the direction of Haroun behind him. “He’s Lord Ware’s servant. Shall I dispose of them, Lord Nasim?”
Nasim’s glance moved from Selene to Kadar and then back again. “I think not. One never knows when dross may turn into gold. Find them chambers.” He turned to Kadar. “Come with me. We will talk.”
Kadar nodded. “The sooner, the better.” He deliberately avoided looking at Selene as he dismounted and climbed the steps. “Get them food, Balkir. It’s been hours since they broke their fast. We don’t want them sent back to Lord Ware in poor condition.”
“If we send them back.” Nasim entered the castle with Kadar following closely behind.
“Come. Quickly,” Balkir tossed over his shoulder to Selene. “You heard the master.”
Selene slipped from the saddle.
Haroun immediately sidled next to her. He was trembling, his gaze fixed fearfully on the castle. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
“I know you will.” She didn’t know any such thing. She hadn’t expected to be this shaken. “But the danger is not great. I think this Nasim is bluffing.”
“You do?” Haroun asked uncertainly.
She didn’t believe that cold devil ever bluffed, but there was no use alarming Haroun. She followed Balkir up the steps. “Of course he was. You saw that Kadar was not afraid of him.”
“But Lord Kadar is-They seem… alike.”
She whirled on him. “They are
He took a step back. “I beg pardon, Lady Selene. I meant no-”
“It’s all right.” She tried to steady her voice. She shouldn’t have exploded like that. Haroun’s words had provoked a response that had come out of nowhere.
She was lying. She had merely blinded herself. She hadn’t wanted to see what Haroun had seen. She had hoped that time and distance would bring about a change that had not happened. As she had watched Kadar and Nasim, the tethers that bound them together had been almost visible. The bond between the band of assassins and Kadar was still there.
“I didn’t mean that Lord Kadar-I spoke without thinking,” Haroun said.
“I know.” She walked quickly up the stairs. Haroun’s remark had been spurred by pure instinct, and sometimes instinct was more revealing than thought.
And far more frightening.
“You may sit in my presence, Kadar.” Nasim gestured to a cushioned divan. “Your journey must have wearied you.”
Kadar shook his head. “I’m not tired.”
“No, you’re young and strong,” Nasim said impassively. “Your years in that cold land didn’t weaken you.”
“Did you expect them to?”
“One cannot tell what will happen when one walks the bright path. Strength sometimes becomes dissipated. The dark path always keeps its force.”
“Does it?”
“Do you doubt my words?” Nasim lashed out. “Then you’re a fool. Shall I show you my-” He drew a deep breath. “You always manage to anger me. But I will forgive you since I rejoice that you are here.”
“And why am I here?”
“Because this is where you belong.”
“Not any longer. Sinan is dead, and that severs my last tie.” Nasim shook his head. “I claim the service you promised him.”
Kadar was not surprised. “By what right?”
Nasim’s smile was cold. “By the only right that we both recognize. Power.”
Kadar shook his head.
“I could have had Balkir attack the castle at Montdhu. I held my hand, but I can still send him back. Don’t be hasty in refusing me. My temper is short these days.”
Kadar could sense the raw turmoil just beneath the surface, and it surprised him. The Nasim he remembered had always been ice cold and controlled. “And what task do you have for me?”
“I wish you to fetch me a treasure beyond price.”
“What treasure?”
Nasim shook his head. “I will tell you more when it’s time for you to start your journey. I sent a messenger to verify that the treasure still exists in the same place. When Fadil returns, you will set out and bring it to me.”
Kadar frowned. “When do you expect him to return?”
“A week… perhaps two.” He shrugged. “If Fadil lives. He may not.”
“And you wish me to wait here?”
“Ah, you’re so anxious to be on your way. I’m the one who should be impatient.” Nasim lifted a brow. “There are other tasks you can do for me. I’m sure we will find something interesting for you to do while you’re here. I already have a few ideas.”
“What ideas?”
“I leave that to your imagination. You have a superb imagination, Kadar. Use it.” He waved a dismissing hand. “I’ll summon you when I decide it’s time that you do my bidding.”
“I’ve not said I’ll do your bidding, Nasim.”
“That is true.” He smiled. “The child Selene has become a woman, hasn’t she? I remember Sinan telling me about her when she was here before.”
