Page 90 of No Place in Time

But it was too late. Stephen entered the room with a broad smile on his face, followed by Julian.

Stephen said, “I couldn’t let you walk back to Veyron Hall, now could I, my dear? So I sent for Julian the moment I woke.”

Finn reached for his belt out of habit, but a guard grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back before Finn could reach his knife.

“No!” shouted Cecily, racing to Finn’s side.

Julian walked slowly toward Finn. “This man should never have taken Lady Cecily out of the estate. She’s been ill, too ill to travel. Guard, restrain him.”

Finn wrenched his arm free of the approaching guard and drove his elbow back into the man’s ribs. The man grunted, but two more stepped forward and pinned him against the wall before he could move again.

As they were binding Finn’s wrists, Julian approached Cecily and stared at her intently. His eyes moved over her face with cold curiosity.

“Stay away from her,” Finn said in a low, threatening voice.

“Be still,” Julian said.

“So,” he said, turning to Cecily. “Did you enjoy your time away from your sickbed? You’re looking well rested, considering you’ve been gravely ill for months.” He turned to Stephen. “Thank you, Lord Malethurst, for taking such good care of my dear wife.”

Cecily said nothing.

Julian smiled as he gazed at her, the kind of smile that didn’t involve his eyes at all. “How fascinating,” was all he said as he looked her up and down.

“Uncle,” Cecily started, imploring. “I don’t want—”

“Hush, my love,” Julian said. He gestured to the guards. “Take them both to the carriage. Be gentle with her,” he added with a glance toward Stephen.

“Oh my,” said Stephen. He had begun to fidget, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Please take good care of her, Julian.”

With a deep bow, Julian said, “I shall, Lord Malethurst. Rest assured, I will take care of her.”

Outside, as a guard shoved him toward the carriage, Benedict stepped close. He smirked at Cecily, then leaned into Finn’s ear. “How are you alive?” he hissed, his voice a venomous whisper. “I killed you myself.”

The words were like a blade twisting in a wound Finn hadn’t known he carried. He stumbled, not from the guard’s push but from the shock. Before he could react, he was thrown into the carriage.

Finn worked at the ropes on his wrists, but they were too tight. Beside him, Cecily’s face was pale in the morning light that filtered into the carriage.

Finn heard Julian’s voice above. “Where are we taking them?”

“The old watchtower,” Benedict replied. “No one goes there anymore.”

Finn’s stomach dropped through the floor. He knew what the remote tower meant. No witnesses. No record. Nothing left.

They were going to be killed.

∞∞∞

The journey felt endless. When the carriage finally stopped, guards pulled them out roughly. They were in a clearing surrounded by dense forest. An old stone tower rose before them, crumbling and abandoned. Ivy covered the walls.

“Inside,” a guard said, shoving Finn forward.

They were pushed through the door and down a narrow stone staircase. The air grew cold and damp. At the bottom, a heavy wooden door stood open. Beyond it was a cellar with stone walls and no windows. There was only darkness and damp.

Two guards shoved Finn and Cecily inside.

Then they heard footsteps on the stairs behind them. Benedict stood there with a torch in one hand and a dagger in the other. Julian was behind him.

“No point in waiting,” Benedict said, advancing into the cell. “There’s no reason to keep you alive. Either of you.”