Free Druid Knights 02: Knight of Rapture by Ruth A. Casie Page A

dogged as Arik. But you’ll lose in the end.” A moment of doubt flashed across Bran’s face. She imagined Bran, the one she knew had returned. Encouraged, she pushed harder. She was gaining ground.
    “I dare say you surprised Arik when you used the Dark Magick, but that doesn’t matter now.” He took a deep breath. “But I’ll be kind to you. I’ll take away your memories.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, don’t be concerned. I’ll take away the memories of him, none of the others. You won’t even miss him. He could pass right by you and you wouldn’t recognize him. But Arik will suffer. If he ever finds you he’ll watch you and know you remember nothing.” He glanced at the door, an uneasy look on his face. “Sorry, I haven’t got time to be gentle.”
    Her hands flew to either side of her head. Her scream started in the depths of her soul.
    “Little by little you’ll lose your memories. You’ll try to hold on to them but you won’t be able to. Then one morning you’ll wake and they’ll be gone.” He pulled her to her feet.
    The scream raced through her, building, gathering energy. She took no note of it being Dark Magick. Her sole plan was to stop him from taking her memories, taking Arik from her.
    “I’ve been kind to you, Rebeka. You won’t remember.” He glimpsed at the chair. “I won’t ever forget.”
    She opened her mouth and let out the silent scream.
    “Bran,” was the whisper that rustled in the room. “Bran.” The word got louder.
    Bran snapped around and glanced at the chair. “Cay?” He let go of Rebeka, as if holding her had scorched his hand. Standing stoic and still, she watched the confusion touched with fear play across his face. Now was the time to move, while he was distracted. She pushed Bran from her head as George rushed through the shattered door.
    “Cay?” Bran ran to his wife, ignoring George.
    Rebeka gasped in relief as Bran pulled his mind from hers. Weakened from fighting him off, she stood on unsteady legs and sagged against George. While her eyes were locked on Bran he reached out to his wife with a tender touch. She knew he searched for any sign of life. His love for Cay was so evident that all she saw was a dear friend grieving and for a moment she grieved with him.
    George squeezed her shoulder and shook her. “We’ve got to get out before he comes after us.” They made their way to the door.
    “Stay here. Don’t move.” George propped her against the doorjamb and in desperation searched the floor.
    Rebeka looked back at Bran trying to revive his wife. She pitied him but only until she remembered how much havoc and disaster he had caused them.
    She grabbed her head. Hundreds of whispers wracked her mind. Was it starting? Was she losing her memories of Arik? Blinded by her tears, she choked at the idea. George was once again at her side carrying her staff. He pulled her from the room. As soon as they got over the threshold the whispers stopped and she collapsed on the floor.
    When she woke she was lying in the hallway. George was patting her hand. Arik. She said his name over and over in her mind, imprinting it there so she would never forget it.
    “Rebeka.” She opened her eyes and noted a slow smile spread across George’s face.
    “Where?” She tried to rise. George pushed her back with a gentle hand. She was lucky George hadn’t left her there after what she had done.
    “We’re in the estate house, outside the old master suite. How do you feel?” He had covered her with his coat.
    “My head hurts. I need to sit up.” In a rush, she remembered what had happened. George helped her sit with her back against the wall and gave her a bottle of water.
    “Here, drink this.”
    “Thanks.” Confused, she stared at the door in front of her that stood ajar. It was all in one piece. She peered into the room. Sunlight poured through the large, curtainless windows. The room was empty.
    “George, the room was filled with old furniture. The door…”