The Treasure by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online

hurt her.” Kadar looked away from Selene lying on the bunk to cast a lethal glance at Murad. “How bad is it?”
    “I think she’ll wake soon.” Murad instinctively moved closer to Balkir for protection. “It was necessary to be quick. We were close to the castle gates.”
    “She’d better wake very soon, or the wound I put in
your
temple will pierce that ox of a brain.” Kadar sat down on the bunk. “Bring me cold water and a soft clean cloth.”
    “I need Murad to help me put to sea,” Balkir said. “He’ll return as soon as he’s no longer required for more-important duties.”
    “Water and cloth,” Kadar repeated. “Now.”
    Balkir hesitated and then shrugged. “As you wish. A few more minutes will do no harm.”
    “Very wise.” Kadar glanced at him. “I suppose that means you have no intention of releasing her?”
    “I believe you knew that was a possibility. It seems the woman has more value than I thought for you. I’m sure Nas—Sinan would approve me giving him a weapon to guide you in the path he chooses.”
    Yes, Kadar had known there was every chance the whoreson would make full use of Selene. That realization didn’t cool the rage searing through him. “This is between Sinan and me. She has nothing to do with it.”
    “As I said, a weapon.” He turned to leave. “We put to sea at midnight. I must have Murad by that time. He may fetch and carry for you until then.”
    Murad cast Kadar a quick glance before he scurried after his captain.
    Kadar’s attention had returned to Selene, and he was barely aware they had gone. He gently stroked back the hair from Selene’s forehead. God in heaven, she was pale. Why didn’t she wake?
             
    Selene slowly opened her eyes to see Kadar’s face inches from her own.
    Joy flooded through her.
    Kadar.
    “Thank God. You took your time about it.” Kadar’s voice was unsteady. “How do you feel?”
    Pain. Joy. Bewilderment. Too many feelings to give an answer.
    “Do you feel sick in your stomach?” He dipped a cloth into a bowl of water and carefully dabbed at her temple. “Do you see me clearly?”
    “No. Yes.” She frowned in confusion. Why was he asking these questions? She must be ill. She didn’t remember—
    Then she did remember. Kadar. The wrenching sorrow and the anger. The flight up the hill. Pain. Darkness.
    “You . . . struck me?”
    “Lord, no.” His lips twisted. “I haven’t reached those depths of depravity yet. Though I can see why you might think so.”
    “Who. . .” She glanced around her. A ship’s cabin, but not the
Last Hope.
She became aware of a familiar rocking movement. Her gaze flew back to Kadar. “Are we at sea?”
    “Not yet.”
    “What ship is this?”
    “The
Dark Star.”
    Her eyes widened. She whispered, “The Old Man of the Mountain. Sinan . . .”
    He nodded. “He sent Balkir for me. I have no choice.” He paused. “And neither do you now.”
    “There’s always choice.” She tried to sit up, and dizziness hit her like a hammer.
    He pushed her back down. “You shouldn’t move.”
    She wasn’t sure she could. “You can’t go to Sinan.”
    “I gave my word.”
    “To an assassin. You know how wicked he is.”
    “The vow remains. Sinan and I understand each other.”
    She knew they did, and the realization had always terrified her more than Sinan himself. She had seen how that dark life drew Kadar. “I won’t
have
it. We’re going back to the castle.”
    He shook his head. “It’s too late. I’m going to Maysef and so are you. Balkir’s decided you’ll make a fine hostage.” His hand closed on hers. “Don’t be afraid. I promise, no harm will come to you.”
    Hostage. She was going back to Sinan’s chill-ridden fortress in the mountains.
    “Don’t look like that. I didn’t want this.” Kadar’s voice vibrated with intensity. “To have you involved is the last thing I intended.”
    “No,” she said dully. “You just wanted to go away and close me