The wind whipped the purple heather in undulating waves across
the meadow where the Gypsies camped. Men and women paused in their
chores as Evan and Jade rode into the encampment. Evan slowed the
horse as barefoot children surrounded them, their high-pitched
voices jubilant as they clutched at Jade’s faded skirts and cheered
her homecoming.
Jade uttered a sound of distress as a tall, burly man broke
away from the gathering crowd and rushed toward her. The Gypsy
dragged Jade from Raven’s back and hurled her to the ground before
Evan could anticipate his intention and act to prevent it.
Cursing, Evan vaulted from the horse and dropped into the
Gypsy’s path. Jade huddled in the damp, spongy grass, her arms
raised as if to ward off a blow. As the Gypsy advanced menacingly
toward her, Evan moved to block him. The Gypsy’s face darkened
with rage. This must be Dimitri. What sort of hell have I forced
Jade to return to?
Curious onlookers continued to gather as Evan helped Jade to
her feet. "I demand to speak to Jade’s father," Evan said. Jade
gripped Evan tightly, but the gaze she directed at Dimitri was
defiant.
"Gorgios do not make demands in this camp," Dimitri said.
"Jade belongs to your clan, doesn’t she?"
"She does," Dimitri acknowledged, glaring at Jade. "She was
promised to me, and I will deal with her. She will not run away
again." He dismissed Evan with a sideways glance. "You can
leave."
"I will not leave her if there is a chance she will be forced
to marry you."
A stunned hush followed by a low rumble of chatter followed
Evan’s remark.
Dimitri smiled suddenly, his gold eye tooth glinting. "She
insulted me by running away. I have asked for her younger sister
instead."
An expression of horror crossed Jade’s face. "This cannot be.
I must speak to my father."
As Jade pulled from Evan’s grasp and bolted toward the line of
wagons, Dimitri’s arm snaked out and gripped her wrist. He spun
her around and grasped the hair at the nape of her neck to
immobilize her.
"Let her go!" Evan thundered, drawing a pistol from beneath
his vest. The blued steel of the stock caught the light in a
maleficent wink.
Dimitri’s dirty fingers splayed across the slim column of
Jade’s throat. "Toss it aside, or I will snap her neck."
Evan’s jaw flexed. He bent and tossed the weapon out of the
Gypsy’s reach as Jade fought Dimitri’s hold. Dimitri grunted and
swore when Jade jabbed her elbow into his midsection and wrenched
free of his grasp.
"Churi! Knife!" someone shouted as Dimitri bent to retrieve
the dagger concealed within his boot.
As Dimitri straightened, Evan sprang forward, fists swinging,
and connected with a solid punch against Dimitri’s granite jaw.
The unexpected blow toppled the heavier man. Evan quickly
retrieved the pistol and trained it on Dimitri.
"Inform Jade’s father I wish to speak to him," Evan said.
"Now."
