Sands of Time (Out of Time #6) Read Online Free Page A

kept his eyes on Elizabeth as they tied his wrists together. The relief and joy in her expression gave him strength. As long as he was alive, as long as she was alive, there was hope.
    The two men holding Simon by the arms started to pull him toward the horses.
    “I will spare you, brothers,” he added to Hassan and the other men.
    Hassan bowed. “You are most gracious, Effendi.” He avoided meeting Simon’s glare.
    “You will not speak of this,” the translator said to Hassan. “If you want to pass this way ever again and live.”
    Hassan bowed his head and tilted it toward Simon. His expression was intense, but whether it was regret or shame in his eyes, Simon didn’t know.
    The men gathered the reins of the camels and lead the animals up toward the horses. Hassan and his men might be spared, but they would be on foot from here on out.
    The men jerked Simon forward and hauled him toward another horse. The Arabian pranced anxiously in place as they forced him up into the saddle and a man climbed on behind him. The other men returned to their horses.
    Simon’s rider turned the horse around so they were facing Elizabeth.
    “Do not be foolish,” the leader said in his thick accent. The man behind Elizabeth showed the long knife in his hands and pressed it between her breasts. Simon clenched his hands into fists.
    Elizabeth swallowed nervously.
    “It will be all right,” he said with much more conviction than he felt.
    The rider behind him spun his mount away as the leader called out a command. As one, the group of men spurred their horses and rode off into the desert. Toward what fate, Simon could only imagine.

CHAPTER FOUR
    It was dark by the time they arrived at the raider’s camp and Elizabeth couldn’t see exactly where they’d taken Simon. She’d heard him call out her name once and then nothing more. She had no idea where they’d taken him or what they might be doing to him. All she knew was that he wasn’t with her and it made her heart ache in a way she hadn’t felt before.
    She closed her eyes and pushed away the thoughts of what might be happening. If they’d wanted to hurt him, they’d had ample opportunity. Surely, he was simply being kept in a tent similar to hers, waiting for the ransom demand to be made.
    Of course, that was another problem. Not having any relations or anyone at all they could contact other than Jack, who was God only knows where, this little kidnap for ransom plan was going to fall short of the pledge goal.
    The initial shock at what happened had started to wear off, but it was still a jumble. Everything had happened so quickly. She’d nearly lost Simon and then he was spared and, the next thing she knew, they were being carried off into the desert. The long ride had given her plenty of time to think, but her mind just raced in circles. She’d only managed to catch a glimpse of Simon a few times. Each time broke her heart and gave her strength in equal measure.
    Elizabeth shifted her legs out in front of her. She’d been tied up for several hours now and they were starting to cramp.
    Outside, she could hear the men singing. Through the thick fabric of the tent, she could just make out the glow of a large fire and the sounds of men laughing and enjoying their victory.
    She and Simon would make for a pretty ransom, or so they thought. While they had brought a fair amount of money with them, it was undoubtedly not the prize these men were hoping for.
    Poor Simon. She could still see his expression when she’d emerged from her hiding place—the worry, the love, the strength.
    When they’d spared his life and taken him prisoner as well, she’d never been so relieved. The thought of losing him…she refused to let it take root. They might be captives now, but at least they were alive. At least, they could be together, she’d thought. Except, it hadn’t quite worked out that way.
    She had to find a way out of here before their time ran out. Their captors would cut their