Emerald's Rogue (Part 5)

Alice charged them with a fire poker but was quickly knocked aside and unconscious.

Emerald screamed as she was grabbed by two of them and dragged out kicking and screaming like a wild cat. She got free but made it no further than the bottom of the stairs, where she encountered Justin.

"Hello, my jewel. I told you I would come for you." He stated with a cold and empty smile.

"Bastard." She spat as she slapped him. He backhanded her so hard that she fell and was knocked out.

"Pick that little bitch up and let’s go. The others will be back soon." The huge man from the forest grinned as he threw Emerald over his shoulder and followed Justin out. She was treated like a sack of potatoes. He threw her across the front of his saddle and charged off after the others.

An hour after sunrise, Rogue, Alex, Jacob and the other’s rode into the bailey to see the men-at-arms and servants trying to put out fires and tending to the wounded.

Lily came running to her husband crying out that Emerald was gone and that Justin had been the leader. Rogue was on his horse and almost out of the bailey before he was stopped.

"Michael move or I will run you down." He gritted out between his teeth.

" I know you fear for her my friend, we all do but do not go blind into this, it will not save her." Rogue took a deep breath then nodded. His friend was right. If he was to save Emerald, he needed a plan and a damn good one. This war had just gotten personal and that made it harder to remove himself from it all.

Chapter Nine

Emerald woke in a cold, damp cell. She slowly sat up, her head pounding and for a moment wondered where she was. Then she remembered the Shadow Knights and Justin. That gutless bastard had stolen her from her family. Slowly she stood and looked about her. There was nothing to see but dirty hay on the floor and rats.

She moved over to the door and peeked through the bars. She could see a few torches but nothing more. She had no idea where she was or how long she had been out. She suddenly remembered the dagger and checked for it. To her surprise it was still there.

She would gut Justin before she would let him harm her. For she knew if she did not kill him, Rogue’s revenge would be a thousand times worse. She only prayed that he would save her before any real harm befell her.

She quickly replaced the dagger when she heard voices and footsteps. She backed up to the far wall and waited. The door opened and the large man from the woods stepped in, after ducking.

"I see you’re awake. Tis a shame I had a pleasant idea on how to wake you." He grinned without his front teeth.

"I seriously doubt I would have thought the same." She stated coldly and in a voice firmer than her nerves felt.

"No matter. Justin has promised us all a turn with you before we return you to your family. I am to be right after him. The other does will be lucky if I leave anything for them." He grinned at her.

She stared in horror at him. The very thought of all those filthy, diseased men touching her made her want to vomit but she would not give him that pleasure.

"I see your nose did not heal straight. Too bad." She remarked with contempt. He raised a hand to hit her then thought better of it. Justin would have his balls.