Page 41 of Midnight Shadow

A low chuckle issued from his throat. “So the little mouse has the roar of a tiger, eh?” He squatted down before her, his black, soulless eyes glaring into hers. “You weren’t quite so brave when you came to Castle Knowles. Why did you come?”

Bria couldn’t look away from his evil eyes. He’d kill her if he knew she’d seen him kill the herbalist. She knew that from looking into his eyes. Her eyes narrowed slightly in defiance. “I came to speak with Lord Knowles.”

Was that a ripple of suspicion in his eyes?

I’m safe here, she told herself. He’s on my lands. Bria raised her chin slightly.

Kenric’s hand shot forward and seized the blade of grass from her. “When you are Knowles’ wife, I’ll deal with you as I see fit. I’ll know what you know,” he whispered.

He lifted his hand and Bria pulled away from him. Her head banged against the tree trunk.

Kenric’s smile grew. He leaned closer to her, extending his hand to her face. He lightly ran the blade of grass over her cheek. “There will be no more secrets between us.” With a lascivious grin, he stood and towered over her for a long moment. Then he threw the blade of grass down and turned his back on her to walk down the small hill.

Bria watched him go, her body trembling. She clenched her fists to still their shaking, but it was a long time before she could get her fear under control.

The pond glimmered magically beneath the stars. Bria dismounted as she reached the clearing. She untied a bag from the horse’s saddle and moved to a group of bushes near where she’d tethered her horse the night Mary was murdered. She paused for a moment, staring at the broken branch, its ragged edge a reminder of her efforts to get away from Kenric that night.

This place was full of memories. And promises. Coming here, she remembered her mission.

She unhooked her brown velvet dress and slid it from her shoulders, then carefully folded it and tucked it beneath a group of bushes nearby.

Bria stood naked beneath the moonlight. She knew she should be frightened. She knew she should be scared of discovery. But a strange calm soothed her, almost as if someone were watching over her.

Bria removed a cloth from the bag and began wrapping it tightly around her chest, circling her torso again and again so her breasts were pressed down tightly. When her breasts were flattened almost to the point of pain, she pulled the cloth tight, tucking the end beneath the fabric. She removed a black tunic from the bag and pulled it over her head, then retrieved black leggings from the bag and pulled them up her long legs. She bent to the bushes and pulled out a pair of black boots, which she slipped on. She removed the cloak from the bag and flung it around her shoulders, tying it in place. Bria had left the castle with her hair braided and coiled tightly to her head so it would be well hidden beneath the cloak and its hood. She bent and reached beneath the bush, feeling back and forth until she found the scabbard. She pulled it out and laid it on the ground at her feet.

Finally, she bent to the bag and retrieved the last item. The mask. She stared at it for a long moment. She would leave her identity as Bria behind when she donned this mask. She would become the hero of the people.

Bria picked up her sheathed sword. She had enough money from the two tax collectors she’d stopped to help three people. Deb had told her about three other people who’d been hurt by Terran’s men. One poor woman had lost her husband when he’d tried to stop Kenric from beating her, and Kenric was still demanding taxes from her.

Bria ground her teeth. This couldn’t be allowed to continue. If Terran didn’t care, then she’d stop it. Mary would be proud of her. Mary would have wanted her to help her people.

Bria strapped the belt to her waist. The Midnight Shadow wouldn’t let Mary’s death be for nothing. She placed the mask around her eyes and tied it behind her head, then lifted the hood and settled it well over her face so her features were hidden in shadow. The transformation complete, she stood with her hands on her hips, gazing down into the tranquil pond.

The Midnight Shadow stared back.

Thump.

Max the baker opened his eyes. He sat up quickly, lighting the candle beside his bed. Was it a robber in his bakery, or had those tax collectors returned to eat all his bread? He grabbed a stick and descended the stairs.

His foot no sooner touched the floor of the first level than he saw the dark figure standing in the doorway. He raised his stick, but the figure did not move. If it were a robber, he would have run.

Max narrowed his eyes. “Who are you?” he asked, refusing to lower his stick. “What do you want?”

“The tax collectors stole bread from you?”

Max clutched the stick tighter. Was this a trick? “What concern is it to you?”

“I am justice,” the shadow said. “I am the Midnight Shadow.”

Max could only stare. Then something caught his eye. Flickering on the table in the middle of the room was a candle, and beneath the candle was a small pouch. Max cautiously moved over to the table, still clutching his stick. He reached out to the pouch and pulled the string. Something inside glittered, but he couldn’t see because of the darkness.

Anxiously, he dumped the contents onto the table. Coins rolled out, hitting the candlestick and spinning before falling flat onto the table.

Max’s eyes widened. It was enough for fifty loaves of bread! He lifted his eyes to the Midnight Shadow...

… but the doorway was empty.

Max raced to the door and looked out into the night. The shadows of the surrounding trees swayed in the breeze, but there was no sign of the Midnight Shadow.