The Treasure

once.”

“What about Kadar?”

“We’ll go to Rome and be lost in the crowds there.”

“That’s your fine hiding place?”

He shook his head. “Merely the first stop.”

“You’ve got to keep him-” She broke off as she met his eyes. What was she thinking? He was an enigma. She had never been entirely sure of Tarik’s thoughts, even in his most approachable moments. But there was no use talking now. Her decision was made, and it had all been said before. “I don’t know why I should trust you, but I do. Don’t you dare betray us.”

She strode into the darkness of the tunnel.

11

“YOU’RE LOOKING ABYSMALLY BORED this afternoon.” Tarik strode into Kadar’s room. “What are you doing back in bed? Aren’t you well?”

Kadar shrugged. “Fine. Selene needs rest. I told her to stay away today, but she may come anyway. If she sees me in bed, I’ll be able to convince her I don’t need her hovering over me.”

Tarik didn’t speak for a moment. “Good thinking.” He changed the subject. “I came to tell you we’re going to have a visitor. Nasim sent word that he wishes to see you.”

“And you’re permitting it?”

“I feel a certain malicious pleasure in satisfying his curiosity. Besides, I have a reason to keep his mind occupied.”

“What reason?”

“Nasim should be riding through the gates any minute.” He turned toward the door. “Why don’t you come down and meet him in the great hall?”

Kadar made a face. “Selene would not be pleased if I left my chamber. She would make me pay.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem. I haven’t seen her today.”

Then she must have stayed in bed as he’d told her, Kadar thought with sudden anxiety. She must be even more weary than he thought. After Nasim had gone, he would stop by her chamber to see if-

“Well, are you coming?”

“Yes.” He threw the cover aside and sat up. “Go greet him. I’ll be down shortly.”

Nasim and Tarik were just coming through the front door when Kadar reached the bottom of the stairs.

Nasim’s disgusted gaze raked Kadar’s face. “You look weak as a puling babe.”

“And a good day to you, Nasim,” Kadar said.

“I thought you said he was doing well, Tarik.”

“As well as anyone could expect considering his wound,” Tarik said. “Contrary to your belief, I cannot perform miracles.”

“Can’t you?” Nasim’s gaze narrowed on Tarik’s face. “I’ve never seen a man survive a wound that severe. That was a miracle.”

“Kadar is very strong.”

“No man is that strong. It was sorcery. It was the grail that gave you the power.”

Tarik gazed at him guilelessly. “What grail?”

Nasim turned to Kadar. “Since you’re well, you’ll do as I ordered.”

Kadar raised his brows. “You don’t believe the sword Balkir thrust into me ended my obligation?”

“That was not by my will.” He gestured toward Tarik. “You will fight his magic and return to me.”

“He is no sorcerer.”

“No?” Nasim smiled grimly. “Ask him the circumstances of our first meeting.”

“As I remember, it was not an unusual encounter.” Tarik pretended to think. “Did I pull lightning from the sky?”

“By Allah, you will not laugh at me.” Nasim glared at him. “I will have your magic, Tarik. And then I will have your head.”

“Indeed?”

Nasim whirled on his heel. “I’ve seen what I came to see. You will do my bidding, Kadar, or you will suffer for-” He stopped suddenly as he reached the door. “Where is the woman?”

Kadar stiffened.

Nasim turned back to face him. “Where is she?”

“Why do you ask? You believe a woman has no place in the affairs of men.”

“But she is a very interfering woman and you permit it. I find it strange that she’s not here.”

Tarik said quickly, “She was weary from nursing Kadar, and we didn’t tell her of your arrival.”

Nasim studied him for a moment in silence. “I still find it strange.”

Tarik gazed after him with a frown as he left the hall. “Unfortunate. I hoped he wouldn’t notice her absence.”

“Why?”

“He’s a clever man. It may start him thinking.”

“Stop talking in circles.” Kadar took a step toward him. “Why are you so worried about him commenting on Selene?”

“Because she’s no longer here.”

Kadar froze. “What?”

“I sent her and Haroun away last night. They should be well on their way to board a ship that will return them to Scotland.”

“Where is the ship docked?”

Tarik shook his head. “I’ll not have you following her this time, Kadar.”

“You won’t have me-” Kadar tried to smother the white-hot rage searing through him. “Damn you, where is she?”

“Safer than she was here,” Tarik said. “She has Haroun and my best man, Antonio, to guard her. Antonio has instructions to join us in Rome to tell us that she’s safely away, as soon as she boards the ship.”

“Rome?”

“This place isn’t safe for either of us any longer. We can’t count on Nasim sitting quietly outside the gates forever.”

Kadar was cursing.

“Why are you so upset? You once asked me to send her away.”

“It was different then. You shouldn’t have done it. Not with Nasim waiting outside the gates to pounce on her. Not without telling me.”

“I didn’t abduct her. It was her choice to go. She knew it was best.” He met Kadar’s gaze. “And so do you. She’s safer at Montdhu. You heard Nasim. As long as she was within his reach, he would try to use her against you.”

“You had no right. She’s mine.”

“Think.”

Kadar didn’t want to think. He wanted to strangle Tarik. “I would have gotten her safely away. I would have taken her to-”

“And had Nasim following you. That would have put her in even more jeopardy. My way is better. It will keep you both alive.” He shook his head as he saw Kadar’s expression. “You’re too angry to reason now. I’ll come to see you when you’ve had a chance to grow calmer.”