Free Demonbane (Book 4) by Ben Cassidy

shoulders, sat huddled on the edge of the bed. “I did-didn’t—”
    “Shhh, my lady,” said Bronwyn soothingly. She came near and put a hand on Mina’s shaking shoulder. “You did the right thing. I’ll have the men take it from here.” She looked up at one of the guards. “Take Lady Dutraad out of here, please.”
    The man nodded, then led the sobbing woman out of the room.
    Bronwyn looked at one of the other guards who stood nearby, halberd in hand. “Is she dead?”
    He shook his head. “No, my lady. Just knocked out.”
    Bronwyn drew a thin dagger out from underneath her dress, then bent down over the unconscious thief. She rolled the woman over onto her back.
    Kara gave a soft sigh, but otherwise didn’t stir.
    Bronwyn smirked. She pressed the edge of the dagger against the helpless woman’s throat. “We appear to have a caught a pretty little magpie.” She reached down and picked up the Soulbinder from where it lay on the floor. “I think I should hold onto this. We wouldn’t want to lose it.”
    The guard looked down at Kara with a sneer. “Should I…dispatch her, my lady?”
    Bronwyn thought for a moment, then smiled. “No, I don’t think that will be necessary. I have a better use for her.” She rose, the dagger still in her hand. “Bind and gag her, then bring her to the carriage.”
    The guard saluted. “Yes, my lady.”
     
    Kendril threw a pot of water on the fire, then grabbed another iron poker and tossed it into the coals. Even as he did, his eyes roamed the kitchen, his mind appraising everything he saw.
    He needed time. Olan and the other Ghostwalkers would come blazing in. Frankly, he thought Olan had been jumping at the opportunity. He just had to hold out here until Maklavir could get back, then get the poison to Joseph—
    Kendril grabbed a bottle of spice, popped the cork and put it on the counter. He had no way of knowing what kind of poison Nadine had had on her blades, or how quickly it would work.
    He had no way of knowing how long Joseph had until he died.
    Ironically, the only person who might know was Joseph himself, with all his knowledge of herbs and healing. Of all the people to get poisoned, why did it have to be him? Why not…Maklavir?
    Kendril whipped out a kitchen knife, and tested the weight of it in his hand. “How’s he doing?” he called back over his shoulder to Lillette.
    Silence. A rustle of clothing. Then two rapid footsteps.
    Kendril hadn’t stayed alive as long as he had by ignoring the little things. It was the little things that kept a man breathing. That, and listening to the still small voice that always seemed to warn him when there was danger.
    The still small voice was screaming at him now.
    Kendril leapt to one side.
    There was a flash of metal. Lillette came at him, a drawn dagger raised high to strike.
    Kendril caught her wrist, forced it away, then smashed the girl forwards into the cabinets.
    She cried out in pain, twisting in his iron grip and spitting like a viper.
    Kendril slammed her hand against the wooden cabinets twice.
    Lillette dropped the dagger. The weapon fell to the thrush-covered floor.
    Kendril grabbed the struggling woman, and pinned her arm painfully behind her back. He smashed her up against the cabinet.
    “You’re dead , Ghostwalker,” she gasped.
     
    “Sir!” One of the mercenaries ran up to Captain Mayer. “We found them. The kitchen.”
    Mayer gave a curt nod, then motioned to four other guards clustered near him. “Alright, let’s go. You heard Lady Brionne. No prisoners. We kill them all.” He motioned to the musket that one of the guards held. “No guns, either. There’s been enough shooting already. The Baron’s party guests are starting to get jittery, and we wouldn’t to ruin Candle Ice for them, would we?”
    The men snickered.
    Mayer put his hand on the hilt of his sword. “We do this with steel. Remember, at least one of this lot’s a Ghostwalker. Don’t underestimate him, but don’t be