Demon Angel by Meljean Brook Page B

terrible plan of Hugh's and yours from the beginning. He believes he is saving their souls."
    "I can smell her sweetness on my hands," Hugh continued. "She is ripe for the pluck—"
    D'Aulnoy's fist shot out, catching Hugh's jaw and knocking him back against the parapet.
    His hand rested upon his sword hilt, but he did not draw his weapon. He turned to his wife, his chest heaving. "My lady, is what he says true? Did he touch you with force? Did he threaten my life? Did another lady convince you to come here?"
    Isabel looked from her husband to Hugh; he clung to the low wall, clearly dazed. "Aye, but—"
    "Take his sword, William. And his mail. 'Twas an honor he never deserved."
    He was stripped of his rank. Lilith sank onto her haunches, letting her relief ease the tension that had held her motionless. He would be exiled, then, as had many of the barons who had been called traitors to their liege.
    "We are even, demon," Hugh muttered; no one but she and Michael could have heard it.
    Lilith's mouth fell open. "He has defeated me." She began shaking with laughter. "And he has fulfilled his bargain in the doing: a lie for a lie."
    Perfectly equal lies, spun of half-truths that held no advantage in the telling. Unable to stop her grin, her expression a reflection of disbelief and admiration, she hid her face so Michael would not see it and triumph.
    "Nay, do not look away." Michael's voice was sharp in her ear. Searing pain tore through her scalp as he jerked her head up by her hair. "Witness the results."
    Furious, she transformed, her horns sprouting from her temples and stabbing through his wrist.
    He did not make a sound, but encircled her with his arms and drew her hard against him. It was like being crushed by a boulder. "Open your eyes and witness !"
    Unable to move, she stopped struggling. What did he speak of—what was left to observe? It was over, she had failed. On the wall walk, Robert tucked Isabel close and led her toward the stairs as Mandeville roughly stripped Hugh of his hauberk.
    The baron descended the steps, and said over his shoulder, "Put down the faithless dog, William. Now, and quietly: the heart as he tried to take mine, then the head for his traitorous thoughts."
    There was no pleasure, only grim duty in Mandeville's expression. "Aye, my lord."
    Isabel made a sound of protest, cut off as Robert shook her with barely restrained violence. "Had he gone further, I would do it myself. Be grateful your youth and inexperience does not put his blood on my hands, and that he didn't get far enough to put a babe in your belly."
    Michael's arms tightened, though Lilith hadn't struggled. "Watch."
    She tried to sound as if it did not matter. "Hugh has beaten Mandeville before."
    "Do you think Hugh means to fight?" His laugh was cold.
    She hated martyrs. "Foolish. How can he be so foolish?" If he ran, he might escape. He was young, strong—much faster than Mandeville.
    Michael clapped a hand over her mouth. "Do not interfere."
    Her heart pounded and she began fighting in earnest against Michael's hold as Hugh rose to his feet. His chest was bare, and despite the lean strength of him, to Lilith he seemed utterly defenseless.
    Why were men built so weakly? What chance did they have against steel or fangs?
    She heard Isabel's weeping as the lady walked across the bailey under the protection of her husband's arm. Did the sound of her tears reach Hugh's ears? Was he glad for them, that the woman he'd sacrificed himself for wept for him? Was it any comfort?
    "I am sorry, pup." Mandeville's voice shook. "I cannot think what evil took you."
    Michael said into her ear, "Look; though he had no love for Hugh, it is not easy to execute a man."
    Hugh raised his head. He must see the burning of her eyes. Could he see that she was held back, that her feet scrabbled for purchase on the roof as she tried to escape Michael—or did he only see that demonic glow?
    "Was a woman."
    "Always is." Mandeville's short laugh held a note of