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noise far below. Don t bet on it. She smiled. There s still some life
in them yet.
Preston nodded, a satisfied smile curved his lips. Give em hell,
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Angel, he murmured, picking up the kerosene lamp.
Gabrielle pressed close to him as he opened the door. The room lay
in total darkness, the lamp making shadows dance upon the peeling
wallpaper. I don t see him, she whispered. Do you think your
cousin could have been mistaken?
Preston held the lamp higher. A bundle of rags on the bed moaned.
Oh God, not a bundle of rags, she thought, feeling the bile rise in her
throat.
Artimus.
She hurried to his side. Artimus, can you hear me? What have they
done to you?
He moaned again and opened his eyes, squinting into the brightness
of the lantern s glow. Gabrielle?
Yes, it s me. She choked back her tears and tried to smile. We re
here to rescue you. Are you well enough to sit up?
He grimaced, lines of pain deepening around his mouth. Can t
until & you & re & lease me, he faltered.
Preston frowned down at him. What does he mean? I see no
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restraints holding him.
Gabrielle s head began to pound. Clammy perspiration broke out on
her palms.
Please, no & let me be wrong, she thought, whipping off the ragged
blanket covering her friend.
She let out a gasp, feeling sick at the sight of the crusted, open
wounds on his naked body. Thin strips of ash wood entwined in
rawhide bound his hands and feet, making it impossible for him to
move.
How could they do this to you? she whispered. It was only too
obvious what Cameron had done. She couldn t believe anyone could
be so cold-hearted, so callous. Instead of just killing him, quickly and
mercifully, Cameron had deliberately exposed Artimus to the sun at
regular intervals for brief periods of time. Oh, not enough to kill him,
she thought bitterly, but enough to keep him in untold agony.
She ripped angrily at the bindings before she turned to Preston,
tears blinding her. Your brother is more of a monster than my kind
could ever be. Look at what he s done. Artimus has never hurt anyone;
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he didn t deserve this sort of barbaric treatment.
Preston s jaw tightened. We ll take care of my brother later. Let s
just get Artimus to safety before we get caught.
A premonition of danger tickled Gabrielle s backbone. She whirled
about, her stomach plunging sickeningly at the sight of Cameron
standing in the doorway. You.
He sauntered forward, an evil smile playing over his lips. Who did
you expect, Father Christmas? You didn t really think you could walk
in here right under my nose and waltz out with the old guy, did you?
Preston stepped forward, his features turning to granite, his eyes
hard and cold. That s exactly what we intend to do. And if you try
and stop us, he paused, his eyes raking up and down his brother s
form, then I will have no choice but to kill you.
Cameron laughed an ugly sound. You think so? That s funny. You
don t have what it takes to kill me, little brother.
But I do. And it would give me the greatest of pleasures, said
another voice.
Cameron spun about, his eyes wide with surprise.
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Angel stood in the doorway, an evil smile upon his lips. Thought
you two might need some help up here. He blew a puff of air upon his
fingertips, and then buffed them on his white buttoned-up shirt. The
expression on his face showed extreme boredom.
An act with which Gabrielle was very familiar. She d seen him
affect it at least a thousand times before. It was his favorite ploy to use
when facing an adversary.
Serene s keeping the others busy. So I thought I d drop in and take
a look. See how you were doing, he finished in a droll voice.
Preston s eyes blazed with sudden heat as he stepped forward
threateningly. I don t need your help, Angel. He gestured toward the
bed where Artimus lay. If you want to do something useful, take
Artimus out of here. His voice was harsh and demanding.
Waves of freezing cold premonition seized Gabrielle, but she was
unable to prevent this tragedy from playing itself out. She motioned
for Angel, who was at her side in an instant. He seemed to also
understand that whatever happened between the two brothers was
inevitable.
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He gathered Artimus into his arms and misted, returning scant
seconds later. Debra is caring for him. It s your turn now, my sweet.
She shook her head, unable to tear her frightened gaze away from
the men who stood facing each other like two gunfighters in the Wild
West of yesteryear.
She swallowed a sob of hysterical laughter. There had to be
something she could do to stop this madness. Her mind flitted rapidly,
trying to come up with a solution.
Nothing. Gabrielle was helpless. No. I won t leave Preston here.
Preston flicked his gaze upon her. Go with him. I have to do this
alone. I need to know you re somewhere safe.
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