Voice Of The Demon (Book 2) (30 page)

Jenn glared at Robert’s back where he rode in front of her. It was almost impossible to travel in complete silence. The children were crying, Hugh gasping out in tortured pain, Rosalind and Samah murmured, trying to soothe them all.

That he should humiliate her in front of them all – in front of the Queen. She’d done the job, hadn’t she? She’d brought them safely to Dunlorn without being detected – and here he was treating her like the village idiot! Unreasonable, insensitive, intractable, rotten . . .

‘Quiet now as we move down here.’ Robert’s voice came out of the dark, the shadow of his arm indicating where they should go. The others trailed down the incline, but as Jenn went to pass him, he stopped her. Once they were alone he turned to face her.

‘There’s something down there they can’t know about: they’ll know it exists but not how it works.’

‘Then why tell me?’ Jenn snapped.

‘I would have thought that would be obvious, even to you. There’s a secret entrance to Dunlorn and the tunnel opening is at the bottom of this ravine.’

‘So?’ Jenn interrupted.

‘The only way it can be opened is with sorcery.’

‘What’s wrong, Robert? Lost your powers? Don’t tell me you need my poor pathetic help. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!’

‘Stop it,’ Robert growled. ‘Do you want to spend the rest of your short life out here in the open?’

‘Well, it might be better than going in there with you.’

Robert hissed in a breath. ‘The door requires two hands to operate it. I’ve only ever used it when Finn was around. You’ll have to take his place. While you’re at it, try to remember you’re the daughter of an Earl – not a whining serving wench from the forest of Shan Moss.’

He wheeled his horse around and descended without another word. Fuming, Jenn followed. Her twisted ankle ached as she put pressure on the stirrup, but she bit her teeth and said nothing. She also managed to get her temper under some control by the time she reached the bottom. There would be other chances to tell him what she really thought.

The tunnel was hideous: dark and black and slimy. And the smell! At least they’d left the horses behind, to be collected later, some time before dawn. Robert led the way, Jenn following behind, holding Kenrick’s hand. This had long since stopped being the adventure his mother had promised; now Kenrick was just sick and tired and weary and bad-tempered. He kept stopping abruptly so that Jenn would walk into him and stumble. Once she even fell flat on her face. Kenrick had just watched her, no apology forthcoming.

For what seemed an eternity, they stumbled and sloshed along the tunnel until they came to a corner. Robert stopped to listen.

‘What is it?’ Jenn asked.

‘Ssh! I think I can hear water. Can you?’

‘Coming from where?’

‘There’s another branch down that way. It could be a problem if we have to leave in a hurry.’ He turned right.

‘How long has this been here?’ Jenn felt the need to whisper. Every sound in the tunnel carried back and forth, doubling and redoubling until it returned to the speaker. It was horrible.

‘I have no idea. I found it by accident.’

‘And why is the door locked . . . in such a fashion?’

‘Quiet, we’re going under the castle wall now. Any sound could easily be heard in the kitchens.’

Jenn shut up. Kenrick slipped and opened his mouth to scream. Prince or not, Jenn felt no compunction about slapping her hand over his mouth. He tried to bite her, but she’d played this game before. His struggling stopped when Robert came to a halt in front of another door.

‘Jenn?’

She gave Kenrick into Shane’s care and moved forward. ‘This one too?’ she whispered, afraid he would snap again.

‘No,’ Robert replied sarcastically. ‘I just thought you might like a closer look – for posterity’s sake.’ He grabbed her arm and brought her hand up to the wall, pressing it hard against the slimy stone. ‘Don’t let go until I tell you.’

He released her and stretched high above his head, his hand invisible even to her sight. She felt something click, but couldn’t say where. Then Robert pushed the door open and there was a staircase before them, narrow, spiral and blessed with a breath of light.

‘Take them up, but keep them quiet. Don’t do anything until I get there.’

Jenn began to climb the stairs. The others followed behind, now so exhausted only their breathing could be heard. At the top was another door – this one light wood. Jenn pushed it open to reveal a room without windows. Was this a prison?

There was some light, coming from under a door to her right. She didn’t investigate it, however, just ushered the others into the room. Eventually, Keagan and Robert arrived, carrying Hugh between them. Robert kicked the door closed and laid Hugh down by the empty fireplace.

‘You’ll all have to keep back from the door and stay very quiet. Jenn, come with me.’

Robert put his hand on the door in a gesture that reminded Jenn of the night they’d rescued Finnlay. Robert had been so different then. What had changed him? Why was he being so cruel?

But she knew why he touched the door – to check who was on the other side. He glanced at her to say it was safe, turned a latch she couldn’t see and pulled it open. Jenn
slipped through behind him. She stopped abruptly when she realized where she was.

‘Kandar, you’d better go in with the others.’ Robert began without preamble. ‘Master Maclean, thank you for your help. If you like, I’ll send word with Micah when we have them all safely away from Dunlorn.’

Maclean nodded and looked like he wanted to say something more. Instead, he glared at Micah, then turned for the door. Before he’d even gone, Kandar had slipped past Jenn and into the secret chamber. Robert turned to Micah. ‘Let’s get to work. Get Deverin and Owen moving. We’ll need blankets, fresh clothing, water and firewood. Food, too. Preferably hot. Bring everything up in small quantities – just enough for tonight. And do it all very quietly. Impress that on them, will you?’

‘Of course, my lord.’ Micah nodded and headed for the door. He paused, turned and flashed Jenn a smile. Then he was gone.

‘Well, it’s nice that somebody’s glad to see me.’ Jenn limped to the fireplace and sank into the nearest chair.

Robert went back to the door in the panelling and pulled it shut. There was now no sign that any opening had ever been there. ‘Are you injured?’

Jenn shook her head. ‘No.’

‘Then why are you limping?’

Jenn couldn’t answer. She knew what he’d say if she told him about her fall. Unfortunately he took her silence as an admission of guilt.

‘What do you think you’re playing at?’ He approached slowly, but Jenn didn’t want to look at him. ‘Do you think this is some kind of game? Have you no idea what it’s cost me to protect you? What it would cost your father if he lost you? And you vowed to Stand the Circle? Why? After everything that’s happened, why?’

Jenn clasped her hands together and studied her dirty fingers. She needed a bath, but it was unlikely she would get one in a hurry.

‘Well? Answer me, Jenn.’

He didn’t shout, even the earlier sharp tone was gone. He
really wanted to know, really wanted an answer. Now she did look up. There was no frown on his face, just bewilderment. His eyes were deep green, like a forest, and just as impenetrable. Why did he have to be this way? Why couldn’t he just talk to her, like he used to? Even this close she could feel his mind closed to hers. She sighed. ‘I don’t want to hear another lecture, Robert. You’ve chosen your own path. You don’t rule me.’

Slowly, almost painfully, Robert shook his head, his eyes dark and troubled. ‘You have no idea what you’re getting into.’

This was too much. On the one hand there were people ready to follow her into hell – and then there was this . . . renegade telling her she didn’t know up from down. Jenn leaped to her feet and pushed past him to the panel door. ‘I think I do know what I’m doing, Robert, but if I don’t I have only you to blame. After all, you’ve never actually explained to me why this is all a problem. And you won’t, will you? It’s all too dangerous. Let me tell you, I don’t need your protection. I can take care of myself. I have so far and I’ll continue to do so. From now on you can keep your narrow opinions to yourself!’ With that, she reached for the door and was surprised to find it open at her touch.

She whirled around, ready to accuse Robert, when the outer door opened and a middle-aged woman entered.

‘Robert, I . . .’ The woman’s voice trailed off as she saw Jenn. Her eyes widened as she came to a halt.

Robert sighed and nodded to Jenn to continue through to the other room. She didn’t, though. There was something compelling about this woman, something entirely intriguing.

‘Very well, Robert,’ the woman continued, ready for battle. ‘I’ve been patient, but I really think it’s time you told me what’s going on.’

‘You won’t like it,’ Robert murmured.

‘I don’t care. I dislike the lies even more.’

Robert lifted his head as though in a prayer for patience. ‘Very well, Mother. I’ll tell you everything, but not right now. At this moment, I need your help. These people in the
next room need your help. Once they’re settled, I’ll answer all your questions honestly.’

‘And this girl?’

Robert turned to Jenn. He looked so vulnerable in that moment, she could almost forgive him. Almost.

‘Mother, I would like you to meet Lady Jennifer Ross. Jenn, this is my mother, Lady Margaret.’

Margaret took a few steps forward, her keen gaze taking in every smudge of dirt, every tear in Jenn’s clothing. There was almost no resemblance between Robert and this striking woman, except perhaps the grace with which she moved. This was an awful introduction and Jenn felt every inch the idiot Robert claimed her to be. Eventually Margaret favoured Jenn with a warm smile, then shot a dry glance at her son.

‘I’ll go and help Micah, my dear. Hurry him along. This is one explanation I can’t wait to hear.’

*

It was past midnight before they were all settled and drifting off to sleep in makeshift beds arranged around the room. Robert stood at the door watching as Margaret moved from one to the other, checking that all was well. Jenn had long since fallen asleep and Robert was finally able to relax. At last the constant irritation of her presence had eased. He could stop snapping at her and waiting for her to snap back. As if things weren’t bad enough!

Margaret left one candle burning, stoked up the fire, then joined him at the door. Robert stood aside to let her through, then closed the door after her. The study was warmer than the adjoining chamber – and very welcome: Micah was just bringing in a tray of something delicious which he laid down on the hastily cleared table to pour a cup of spiced wine for Robert and Margaret. Then he left without a word. It had been a trying night for him, too.

Margaret took her wine over to the window. The clouds had all gone now, leaving a pale blue corona around the moon. Robert went straight to the food, but after the first mouthful, his appetite left him. Probably something to do with the impending discussion.

‘Hugh should be all right until morning,’ Margaret began,
blowing on the hot wine. ‘Nevertheless, I’ll check on him in a few hours. The tonic I gave the little girl will keep her sleeping until tomorrow afternoon.’

‘How soon before they can move from here?’

‘I’m no healer, but I wouldn’t like to see them out in the weather in less than three days. The girl is quite ill and while Hugh is strong, he needs rest to let his wounds heal. Keeping their presence secret from the rest of Dunlorn will be awkward, but I think we’ll manage.’ Margaret sipped her wine, her gaze floating out of the window. ‘That girl, Jennifer Ross? She’s the one you found in Shan Moss, isn’t she? Jacob’s daughter.’

‘Yes.’

‘She’s beautiful. But how did she, of all people, get caught up in all this?’

‘It’s a long story.’

‘I’m sure it is.’ Margaret turned away from the window, wrapped her hands around the warm cup and waited.

She looked lovely with the moonlight reflecting off the silver strands in her hair and giving her skin a soft sheen. But those dark, watchful eyes were guarded. She didn’t really trust him. Not any more. She wasn’t even sure he was going to tell her the truth now – even though he’d promised.

Robert put down his wine, stood with his back to the fireplace and laced his fingers together. This was not going to be easy. ‘What would you like to know?’

‘Where is Finnlay?’

Great! She begins with the one question he couldn’t answer. With a sigh, Robert shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, Mother, but I can’t answer that question directly. At least, not yet. Not until I’ve explained a lot of other things. However, what I said before is true. Finnlay is safe and with friends.’

‘And you can’t tell me because you’re protecting those friends?’

‘I’m protecting you – and Finnlay.’

‘Of course.’ The tension in Margaret’s face, her shoulders, did not diminish. Instead she turned back to the window, as though she were afraid of him, of what he had to say. She
wanted the truth, but could he tell her he was just as caught up in a tangle of confusion as she was? Even now, when he was so very sure of what he had to do, he still questioned himself at every turn. Was he about to make the biggest mistake he’d ever made?

‘Mother,’ Robert began, his voice low but firm. ‘I am a sorcerer.’

She started so violently wine spilled from the cup in her hand. Her head dropped and a deep shuddering sigh was wrenched from her body. Robert didn’t dare move. A gust of wind rattled at the casements, slipping through the cracks to chill the room.

‘I was afraid you wouldn’t tell me.’ Margaret’s voice was a whisper, frozen in the room by the midnight air. She opened her eyes, lifted her face a little. There were tears on her cheeks, glistening in the moonlight.

‘You knew?’

‘I wondered.’ Margaret shook her head. ‘With those rumours about Finnlay and your secrets and, oh . . . so many things over the years. I think perhaps I guessed, but didn’t want to think about it. That . . . perhaps that was why I was so . . . content to live at Saint Hilary’s.’