Here finally is the entire scene from Knight Errant. By the time you reach the end of this excerpt you’ll know (or at least you might think you know how Juliana escapes from Fra Basti. We begin again where the excerpt started eleven weeks ago on June 24th.

Feeling a bit silly now that the danger was past, she took the dagger in one hand the key in the other hand and walked to the door. She turned the key and stepped back.

The door flew open, banging against the wall. A priest strode inside. Another man, a giant, followed him. Angry at their invasion, she drew herself up ready to send them away. Then the priest lowered his hood.

 “Basti!” Juliana gasped and hid the dagger in the sleeve of her shirt. Fear threatened to swamp her anger. She must not let him see her fright. She firmed her stance, determined to resist him at all costs.

The small man gave her an elegant bow. “Sorella Juliana, how pleasant to see you again.”

By the time he straightened, she had her smile in place and her hands linked before her. The dagger hilt rested unseen within her cupped palms with the blade resting along her inner arm.

“Antonio, search the room. I’m certain we will find evidence of her Beguine heresies.” Basti never broke eye contact with her the entire time. She couldn’t hold back one small shiver.

The man did as ordered.

It wouldn’t take long, she knew, before the oiled packets containing Angelina’s letters sewn into the lining of her cloak were discovered.

The sound of rending cloth proved Antonio’s efficiency. “Here, Fratello.”

“Excellent.” Basti took the letters. “Wait for us outside.”

The man backed out into the hallway. “Your Beguine robes have undergone a change?” Basti lifted a delicately arched brow.

He was small in stature, but he was perfectly proportioned. She had heard that his face had been used as the model for any number of angelic frescoes. After his appointment to Rome, ’twas how he had come to the pope’s attention.

“My apparel need not concern you,” she said politely. Her brain dashed between what she knew of Basti and how to escape him.

“Oh but it does.” He moved forward and took her chin between fingers and thumb.

Juliana’s skin crawled. Careful to remain calm, she held his gaze while she shifted her hands to grip the dagger. She knew from past encounters that Basti fed on the reactions of his victims.

Could she use that to her advantage? How? “What do you want?” She kept her tone level, even though screams raged inside her.

He turned her face from side to side. “Such a pretty container for so much evil. Where is your lover? He must be made to see you for the foul creature you are.”

“I cannot tell you that.” If she could wound the priest, she might have enough time to escape out the window.

A beatific grin spread across Basti’s face. “You invite the wrath of Il Mano de Dei?”

She knew he would enjoy beating her to get the information he wanted. She also knew that Basti reckoned without her resolve. She would never betray Robert to the priest or any man. Nor would she be taken from the inn without a fight. “Nay.” Her denial was sweet. “I have no lover. Hence, I cannot tell you where he is.”

“Lies and disobedience,” the priest purred. “What a shame.” His fingers trailed across her throat to her shoulder. “Tell me, sorella, do you recant your Beguine heresies?”

“I cannot recant heresy that I have never uttered.”

“More lies.” He looked straight into her eyes. “You know I have seen you spreading the devil’s word among the women of Ghent. I have witnesses that you took that word to Palermo and tried to topple God’s church there.”

“I have done no such thing. I love God with all my heart and soul.” She tightened her hold on the dagger, ready to plunge it into his black heart if need be.

His fingers tightened on her shoulder, and he pulled her closer.

Juliana broadened her smile. She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing he hurt her.

“You are a woman, the lowest and vilest of God’s creations. What can you possibly know of love or souls except to envy that which you cannot have?”

The words hissed in her ear, the minty sweetness of his breath a counterpoint to the stench of his meaning.

“I have committed no sin.”

Basti laughed. “How quaint. Lies, disobedience, envy”—he cast a glance at the rumpled beds—“lust, and worst of all, heresy. Woman, you cannot fail to commit sin.” The smile left his face abruptly. “Come.”

He turned to pull her from the room.

Juliana struck. Her blade sank into his flesh and glanced off the shoulder bone.

Basti howled.

She ran for the window, scrambled onto the ledge, and looked down. There was nothing but a straight drop. Death from the fall or death from Basti? She took a deep breath and leaned forward.

From: Knight Errant ~ Knight Chronicles Book 1 by Rue Allyn

Blurb:  Set during the early days of the Inquisition, Sir Robert Clarwyn must find a way to compel Lady Juliana Verault to return to England, or he’ll lose any chance of regaining his family lands and redeeming his heritage. Yet Juliana must complete her mission to ensure a safe future for  her gender in the church. With danger and intrigue mounting, Robert and Juliana must rely on each other and risk everything … including their hearts.

Buy Links:

Amazon ~ https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Errant-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07S41BJX8/

Kobo ~ https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/knight-errant-22

Smashwords ~ https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/939900

Apple Books ~ https://books.apple.com/us/book/knight-errant/id1464825744

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