Raven was surprised the commander would deign to carry her.
After they’d gone some distance, Borek slowed. He passed his hand down her uninjured leg and slid it under the hem of her jeans.
She jerked away from his touch. “What are you doing?”
“Keep your voice down.”
She felt something cool slide into her sock. Borek pulled the leg of her jeans down to cover it.
“A dagger.” His voice was low. “Conceal it from the others.”
Raven placed her hand at the small of his back, indicating that she’d heard.
“Aim for the throat,” he rumbled. “A dagger will be of little use against a feral or one of us. But it will buy you time.”
“Why are you helping me?”
Borek fell silent.
Raven had given up all hope of receiving an answer when his voice came out of the darkness.
“For now, at least, your fate is tied to mine.”
Chapter Five
BY THE TIME the first rays of sunlight scattered across the Umbrian landscape, Raven was sitting on the floor of a ramshackle wooden building.
Borek was seated beneath a covered window, staring.
He hadn’t carried her long. In fact, he’d passed her off to another soldier shortly after hiding the dagger in her sock.
Raven had examined the weapon after they’d stopped, using the excuse that she had to go to the bathroom in order to gain some privacy. The dagger appeared to date from the Renaissance and would easily take pride of place in a museum. It was also extremely sharp. Even now, she had to be careful to extend her leg in a certain way so the knife’s edge didn’t breach her skin.
Raven ignored the commander’s perusal, turning to survey their shelter.
Some of the soldiers had climbed the rickety stairs to the upper floor, leaving Borek and two of his men to guard Raven and Cara. She and Borek were the only ones with open eyes. The other vampyres rested at the far end of the room, eyes closed, giving the appearance of sleep.
Raven knew better. Vampyres never slept. But as William had confided in her, their minds needed time to process the tumult of the day.
She observed her sister, whose chest rose and fell with steady breath. Her expression was peaceful.
Raven leaned over her.
“I didn’t mean for you to get hurt. Again.” She cupped her younger sister’s pretty face. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sleep,” Borek ordered. “Now is not the time for regret.”
“I slept on the way here.” Raven adjusted her injured leg into a more comfortable position. “Why aren’t you resting with the others?”
“Someone has to keep watch.” Carefully, he lifted the window shade a crack, peering out into the daylight.
He dropped the shade.
Borek was solidly built, with dark hair that fell to his broad shoulders. In appearance, he seemed to be in his twenties, but given his strength, Raven inferred he’d been a vampyre for some time.
“Dan.” The whisper came from Cara, who lay on the floor next to Raven.
“Cara?”
She whimpered, shifting her legs, and fell silent again.
Raven waited to see if she would stir, but Cara’s breathing remained deep and regular. She was still asleep or unconscious.
Raven wiped at her eyes.
“You should join her.” Borek’s tone was pointed.
“I’ll sleep in Rome.”
“Rome.” His face grew thunderous. “If we make it there alive.”
“One of the soldiers said we’d arrive tomorrow. I can last another day. How long have you lived in Florence?”
“Long enough.”
Raven looked at him curiously. “Where are you from?”
His expression tightened, and he looked out the window again.
Raven turned back to her sister, placing a hand on her head and stroking the fine, blond hair.
“Russia,” he answered at last.
“You don’t sound Russian.”
“I am,” he rumbled.
Raven frowned. “Why did you leave?”
“Too many wars. And the Curia, always bringing death.” He gave her a severe look.
She chewed at the edge of her lip.
“I’m sorry,” she said gently.
Borek snorted. “Your lies mean nothing.”
Raven lifted her chin. “It isn’t a lie. I told Machiavelli the truth when we were in Florence: I’m against killing, even the killing of vampyres.”
His hand moved to his sword. “Yet you threaten us with death.”
“I’ll do anything to protect my sister.”
“You should save yourself.”
“To save my sister is to save myself.” She touched the top of Cara’s head.
Borek closed his eyes.
For a moment, Raven thought he was resting.
He opened his eyes, his lips curling derisively. “How did a Curia spy end up a pet to the Prince of Florence?”
“Perhaps because I’m charming.” Raven glared. “And what we were doesn’t matter. He’s dead.”
“The price of treason.” He gazed in contempt at her injured leg. “You must have gold running through your veins. Why else would the Prince risk his throne?”
“Maybe he loved me.” Raven’s temper flared. “Not everyone chooses a lover based on appearance. No wonder the Prince ruled you and your soldiers for so long. You’re a bunch of empty-headed thugs.”
“Silence.” Borek’s raised voice drew the attention of the other vampyres. They sat up from their resting places, their hands reaching for their swords.