“You?” Nigel’s head snapped up with a start. “Good God, I know you weren’t responsible!” He glanced down again and shifted his weight from one foot to the other, even more ill at ease than before. “You know what the others will say, though, don’t you?”

“That the cursed Deryni has only reverted to true form,” Duncan said quietly. “And it will be almost impossible to prove otherwise, because we were at the tomb last night.”

Nigel nodded slowly. “I know.”

“You know?” Duncan echoed.

Nigel gave a weary sigh, and his shoulders drooped dejectedly. “I do. And I’m afraid it isn’t just Alaric who is implicated this time, either. You see, when I told you they found Rogier dead with his own hand on the dagger, I neglected to mention what was in his other hand.”

The three hung on Nigel’s every word.

“It was a gilded silver crucifix—yours, Duncan!”

CHAPTER TWELVE - “A gilded silver crucifix—yours, Duncan!”

CHAPTER TWELVE

“A gilded silver crucifix—yours, Duncan!”

THE priest stopped breathing for just an instant. There could be no appeal from that accusation, for the crucifix was his. He could not deny it. What had gone into the tomb with Brion on the day of burial was a matter of record. Just as it was now a matter of record that the tomb had been ransacked, and that a distinctive silver crucifix had been found where it had no right to be.

Duncan suddenly realized he was holding his breath, and let it out in a long exhalation. The news put an entirely different light on things. For now, not only was he implicated in the various questionable doings that had been occurring with such regularity since Morgan’s return, but his very identity was in jeopardy. So far as he knew, only Alaric and Kelson were aware of his Deryni heritage, and he would prefer that it remain that way. But now there would be questions concerning his relationship with both of them—and would be little he could say to explain his part in last night’s escapade.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably and finally decided he would have to tell Nigel something. At least he thought he could depend on the duke to keep his secret, should it become necessary to tell all.

“We were in the crypt last night, Nigel. And we did open Brion’s tomb,” Duncan began slowly. “I won’t even try to deny it.” He clasped his hands together uneasily. “When we left, though, the tomb was sealed, and Rogier and the guards were alive. Needless to say, we had no part in their deaths.”

Nigel shook his head uncomprehendingly. “But, why? Why open the tomb in the first place? That’s what I don’t understand.”