A Dark Guardian by Donna Grant Read Free Book Online Page A

she could stop herself.

    He turned toward her. “The hunt for the creature.” Whatever hunger she had conjured up immediately disappeared. She hadn’t expected them to start tonight. Didn’t they need to practice or something?

    She kept her thoughts to herself and listened as Hugh and his men explained what would happen. It was obvious they expected her to go to her chamber once the meal was finished. She, of course, had other plans.

----

    Hugh watched as Mina walked from the hall. When he turned back to his men it was to find Darrick watching him.

    “She is something, isn’t she?” Darrick asked as they walked from the hall to the armory.

    Hugh briefly thought about feigning ignorance, but he realized it would be folly.
    “I suppose.”

    The laugh that followed his words did little to comfort Hugh. He didn’t even glance at Darrick, but that didn’t stop his friend from speaking his mind.

    “I noticed how you found it hard to concentrate tonight at the meal.” Hugh stopped and let the others go on ahead of him. He waited until they were out of earshot before he said to Darrick, “’Tis because I haven’t been around a lady in some time.”

    Darrick smiled and shrugged. “That’s a plenty good reason, but I didn’t see you having that problem with Lady Theresa.”

    Hugh ran his hand through his hair. “What is it you want?” The smile left Darrick’s face. “I don’t know. I saw how Lady Mina watched you.
    You intrigue her.”

    “Do you worry I’ll harm the maid?”

    “Never,” Darrick said with conviction. “But I also have never seen you act like this around a woman before. At least not since.…” Hugh knew Darrick wouldn’t finish the sentence. There wasn’t a need. He knew exactly who Darrick referred to. “We have a mission to complete. Let’s concentrate on that right now.”

    Darrick seemed relieved that he didn’t chastise him for bringing up a painful part of his past. In truth, Hugh was more than glad to drop the subject.

----

    After she had changed into her man’s attire, Mina walked to the table where Hugh and his men gathered their weapons in the armory.

    “Just what are you doing?” Bernard asked as he strode up to her.

    She didn’t look to her brother because her gaze was locked with Hugh’s. “I’m gathering my weapons.”

    Bernard sputtered at her side. “The hell you are. I’ve been a fool before, but not this time. You will stay in the castle where you will be protected.” She didn’t answer him. There was only one man who could make her stay, Hugh.

    “Hugh,” Bernard said. “Tell her to stay put.” The men quieted and stilled, waiting to hear what Hugh would say. Mina found herself holding her breath. Would he give her the right to fight the creature that had taken her parents and terrorized her village? Or would he treat her like a pampered lady and keep her locked safely inside while others risked their lives?

    “We need every person that can help,” Hugh finally answered.

    She bit the inside of her mouth to keep from smiling. But Bernard wasn’t done.

    “I am lord here, and I demand that you return to your chamber,” he said as he grabbed her arm.

    She looked up at Bernard. He was dressed in his armor, armor that hadn’t been worn in a terrible long time. “Why? Last night you wished me dead. What has changed between then and now?”

    “I don’t know.” His brow furrowed deeply. “I truly don’t know. ‘Tis as if I’ve never really seen you before.”

    She stared at her brother, his blonde hair reaching to just below his ears. He had seemed so young yesterday, now it was as if he had grown into a man suddenly. Gone was the pampered man she had known. Before her was the lord their father had been.

    “There isn’t much to see,” she said and started to walk past him when he stopped her.

    “The years are blurred, Mina, but I do know that I said and did many hateful things. I don’t know why I said them, but I