When Angels Sin

13. A Thief in the Night

Julian

Julian woke up with a start. There was an intruder. A thin wooden wall was all that separated his room from the stable stalls, and he could hear every step and every breath on the other side. He listened carefully. The Pegasi had awoken too. He could hear their snorts and rustling wings. The sounds grew louder, and a sudden burst of wind blew inside the stable.

Someone had opened the stable gates. Julian quickly rose to his feet and reached for his door. Concealed in the dark, he stepped quietly outside his room, and he could see a small hooded figure leading one of the Pegasi outside.

Julian treaded as quietly as he could, but the figure suddenly stopped as it seemed to sense his presence. Julian held his breath. The figure turned to scan the place. Julian squinted his eyes, trying to make out the face, but it was too dark to see anything. The intruder must have not been able to see him too, and simply turned back, leading the Pegasus away. And Julian realized with horror, that the Pegasus was none but Achilles.

Julian's heart hammered. Whoever that intruder was, Julian had to stop him. He couldn't lose Achilles again.

Julian stepped out of his hiding and walked stealthily behind the winged figure. The sounds of his own footsteps were drained out by the clanking of Achilles's hoofs. Julian was only a step behind the cloaked figure. The intruder stopped, but before he could turn to find his follower, Julian had hurled himself at his back, knocking him to the ground. A short scream followed, and Achilles moved aside without a sound.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Julian said, his voice deep and angry. His victim struggled as he lay on his front, his face hidden in the ground, while Julian mounted his back pinning him down.

"Get off me!" the victim gasped out. It was a woman's voice. A very recognizable arrogant voice. "Let me go!"

"You!" Julian hissed as he realized it was Alina. "You were trying to escape?" Julian grabbed her arm and forced her up to her feet. Despite the dark, he could see the horrified look on her face.

"How dare you! Don't touch me." She tried to free her arm but he only grasped her harder, and she cried out in pain. "You lowly slave!" she shouted and slapped his face with her free hand.

Provoked by her persisting arrogance, Julian only grasped her other arm as well as he scowled at her.

"Let me go, bastard. You'll pay for this!"

"Raise your voice a bit more so the guards would come and take you to Lord Bernard. Or better yet, let me take you to Lord Bernard myself," Julian said, and he started dragging her towards the keep.

"No, stop it. Stop!" she pleaded. "Please, listen to me. Please!"

"So you're begging me now?" he stopped and sneered at her.

Alina lowered her head in despair. "Please... just let me go."

"Just let you go?" he laughed. "What a silly thing to ask!"

"Please... What difference does it make to you if I escape or stay?"

He wanted to laugh again. How much he enjoyed this, having her under his mercy, with all of her arrogance and pride crushed to nothing.

"And when your absence is discovered in the morning along with Achilles, who do you think will be questioned?"

"You don't have to mention anything. Just act as if you were sleeping and knew nothing."

"What a brilliant excuse! Sorry Lord Bernard I've let your wife steal Achilles and escape because I was sleeping. No. I'm sorry. I am not keen on losing my head for you. I am not getting punished for you again," he said coldly, the frustration in her eyes filling him with great satisfaction.