Tapestries 04 - Threads of Destiny by N. J. Walters Read Free Book Online

His eyes were sad as he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. “I know.
    Turn around.”
    She knew he couldn’t look into her eyes and kill her. Instead, she focused on Logan, blowing him a kiss. Her fingers dug into the leather strap of her purse. Tienan’s hands tightened around her throat. She tensed and then forced herself to relax.
    The General, realizing their intent, yelled. “Stop!” Just then a brilliant light flashed in the room. For a second, Kathryn wondered if this was what it felt like when you died. But the moment passed and she was still very much in this world. She blinked and half stood, unable to believe her eyes.
    A giant of a man stood just beyond the door, a tapestry in one hand and a four-foot sword in the other.
    “Kill the men. Spare the woman,” the General ordered. “She’s mine.” The man took in the room at a glance, his eyes widening when he saw her. Swiftly, he turned back to the threat and attacked. His great sword cut through the men like a hot knife through butter. As she watched, two bloody heads rolled toward the bed.
    Using the distraction to their advantage, both Tienan and Logan dove for the other weapons, bringing them up and firing. Both her father and the General dove through the door but they weren’t in time. She heard her father screaming in pain and the General yelling at him to shut up.
    27
    The stranger swung around and leapt over the bed, landing by her side. “You are unhurt?”
    His accent was strange but she understood him perfectly. “Yes.” She raised her hands to his face. He seemed so familiar. She blinked, taking in his bare chest, the arm and wristbands and the long brown hair that fell down his back. “Marc?” This was impossible. Marc was nothing but a character from a book, a figment from her dreams.
    He flashed her a grin. “Kathryn.”
    “I hate to break up this little party but we’ve still got trouble.” Tienan had a weapon in each hand, one pointed at the secret entrance, the other at the door. It was only then that she heard the commotion on the other side of the tunnel and saw the door move.
    They were starting to break through. Logan was beside him in a similar position.
    Marc stared at them, his golden-brown eyes narrowing. “You are the men from the dream.” They both nodded.
    Shock filled her. “That was just a dream. That wasn’t real.” Marc used the tip of his sword to pluck the remains of the brown vest from the bed.
    It had been damaged in the shootout. “I believe this is mine.”
    “This can’t be happening,” she moaned, rubbing her temples.
    “It can and it is. Choose.” He glanced sharply at both men. “Stay here and die or come with me. I don’t know if the tapestry will take us all but we can try.”
    “The tapestry.” She grabbed it from Marc’s grasp and shook it out. Sure enough, it was the same tapestry from the attic, yet different. Her family home filled the fabric but as she watched, it faded, replaced once again by the castle that had been there originally.
    Marc wrapped his arm around her, pulling her so close she could hear the steady thud of his heart against her ear. His sword was held in front of them, a protective measure. She felt surrounded by his strength and strangely safe in spite of the shouts, the pounding of feet and the smell of death in the air.
    “Stay or leave.” It took her a second to realize Marc was talking to Tienan and Logan. Held tight in his arms, she didn’t doubt that she was going with him. She held out her hands to them. They glanced at one anther and took a step forward, each of them grasping a hand.
    “Hold on tight and do not let go,” Marc warned them.
    The secret entrance was shoved open and men started to pour through. Kathryn closed her eyes, knowing they were all dead. It was too late.
    A blinding light flashed and she heard Tienan cry out. His grip faltered but she clung tightly, refusing to let go of either of them. With Marc’s arm banded