Shadow Keepers: Midnight by J. K. Beck Read Free Book Online Page A

fully understand the man who lay beside her. She pressed her hand to his chest, stroking the taut skin that she had so recently claimed as her own. “What is Baloch to you?”
    A shadow seemed to cross his face, and she worried that he wouldn’t answer. But then he sat up, pausing only briefly before rising and going to the single tiny window. He’d insisted that the curtains be drawn tight, and now he pressed his hand against the wall beside the drapes but did not push them aside. “The question isn’t what is Baloch to me, but what is Baloch.”
    “All right,” she said. “What is he?”
    He turned to face her. “Do you know why your brother was taken?”
    “Of course. Baloch—” She closed her mouth, frowning. She’d intended to say that Baloch sought to smiteher family, but that did nothing to address the greater question. The question of
why
. “My father says that he is a monster. That he commands dark forces. That he is no friend to the Pope. That he is no ally to any man.”
    “Everything your father says is true,” Tiberius said. “And yet it doesn’t explain anything.”
    “Do you know why he took Antonio?”
    “I do.”
    She swallowed, something in his voice sending a wave of dread through her. She didn’t want to ask the question, and yet she couldn’t sit there and stay silent. “Tell me.”
    “Your father killed his son,” Tiberius said, his voice far too matter-of-fact for the words. “And he has taken Antonio as a replacement. An heir.”
    “No.” Caris realized she was shaking her head. “No, that can’t possibly be right. I would have heard. The authorities. Surely they would have come. Would have talked to my father.” She stood, the blanket wrapped around her, and began to pace the room. “He didn’t kill anybody.”
    “He didn’t kill a man,” Tiberius said.
    “But you said Baloch’s son—”
    “How were you intending to secure your brother’s release?”
    “By killing Baloch.”
    “A worthy goal. How?”
    She nodded toward the saddlebag he’d brought to the room for her. “There are garments in there. Finery. Oils. Perfume. I intended to speak to the man himself. To tell him I had come to negotiate for my brother’s release.”
    “He would never agree.”
    “And I would not expect him to. But I am a woman,and I know that I am desirable. And Baloch is a man. He would see me.”
    “He would. And then?”
    “I may not prevail against four men, but I can take down one man with my dagger.” She looked at him hard, examining his face for any hint of doubt. There was none.
    “I saw you fight. I don’t deny your skill.”
    She nodded. “I would kill him. And then I would find my brother.”
    He nodded thoughtfully. “Your plan is not without merit,” he said. “There are some weaknesses—Baloch’s men, for one. But stealth and cleverness could see you safely over that hurdle.”
    She smiled, pleased with his praise.
    “Even so, you would fail.”
    Her pleasure faded. “You cannot know that for certain.”
    “On the contrary, I can.” He moved across the room, and the certainty in his gait that had so impressed and attracted her before was now slightly irritating.
    “And, pray, what flaw do you see? Baloch lies dead on the floor. I locate and free my brother. I grant you it is not a perfect scenario, but failure is by no means certain.”
    “You would not kill him,” Tiberius said as he bent down to pick up her dagger.
    “I would. You think that because I am a woman I would lose my nerve? That I do not have the strength to thrust a blade through flesh? You are wrong, sir.”
    “I do not doubt your ability. But this dagger will not kill Baloch.”
    Confused, she looked at the curve of the steel blade, the jewel-encrusted handle. Her eldest brother had usedthat very same dagger in battle, and it had saved his life. She knew it would kill, and do the job well.
    “To kill Baloch, you need a blade made of silver.”
    “I don’t