by Hazel Hunter
Lacey eyed me. “Are you and K-pop pregnant?”
“Not yet.” I smiled a little. With the way we couldn’t keep our hands off each other, that wouldn’t last. “You saw how large newborn foals are when the mares delivered.”
She nodded. “This one here stood four feet tall, and weighed over a hundred and twenty pounds.”
“Imagine giving birth to that.” Hopefully that was all she’d have to do.
Lacey frowned at me. “Why should I? I’m not a horse.”
Now came the hard part of the conversation. “Neither was Ruith.” I told her about the scroll, and then added, “I know what he was trying to say. Lola had a vision of his birth as a foal. Delivering him killed his mother. Since Velvet’s half-druid, he could be fertile with humans.”
Her expression turned sad. “Not with me, Doc.”
I listened as Lacey revealed her grim diagnosis of stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The disease had also caused her ovaries to fail, a rare but devastating complication.
“Passing through the sacred grove portal cured your cancer,” I said after I thought it over. “It may have also healed your reproductive issues. Until we know for sure, you and Velvet need to be safe.”
“No more baby-making sex, you mean.” She sighed. “That’s going to be fun to explain.”
“Let me do it,” I offered. “I need to talk to him anyway. Where is he working?”
“He’s been on patrol with Tory and Tyree.” Lacey nodded toward the glittering waters. “I’ll go with. The laird doesn’t want anyone near the water alone.”
We reached the loch a few minutes later, and waved at Tyree, who was paddling a small boat. The water around the hull churned wildly before the boat flipped over. I saw Tory surface a few yards away, spines shooting out all over her body when she saw a now-bloody Tyree swimming toward her.
Velvet shot up out of the water in stallion form, and his lips peeled back from jagged teeth as he lunged toward Tyree. A second Velvet got between them and attacked the first one, and the two shifters thrashed wildly as they reared and tore at each other. By that time someone on watch had blown the attack horn, and clansmen came rushing toward us.
Lacey and I helped Tory drag Tyree from the water, and a few moments later one of the shifters came limping out of the loch. Of the second Velvet I saw no sign. I drew the dagger I always carried, but as he shifted back into human form I saw his many wounds and the shame in his eyes.
“It’s okay,” I said, gesturing for the others to stay back. “Velvet?”
He nodded before he dropped to his knees before Lacey. “Sorry. Try to warn K-poppa. He here now. Kill many. Kill Lacey, hurt me.”
“The other shifter?” I asked as I knelt down beside him.
“Iloren. Hate me.” Velvet met my gaze. “Iloren my brother.”
That night Lacey came to tell us what more she had learned.
“Velvet wasn’t an only child,” she said. “Something was wrong with the first halfling Ruith had. She called him Iloren, and he was crazy twisted. Even the other shifters were afraid of him. Ruith hid him away somewhere, but he got loose.”
“This older brother must have been born in human form.” I thought for a moment. “How did Velvet know Iloren was coming here?”
“He saw Deb last night,” Lacey admitted. “She came to the stables to warn him.”
“What does this Iloren want?” Kendric asked.
“All he’s ever wanted: to kill.” She looked sick now. “And, as you saw today, he looks exactly like Velvet.”
Chapter 24
Chilling
The other girls on my cheerleading squad said we’d be dank if we jumped back in time seven centuries to live with the McGillean Clan. Coach said because we were druid-blooded we’d get dope powers along with the immortal warrior boys. Only our plane from the States crashed into the portal. One minute I’m burning, then I’m stuck in old Scotland because going back = dying. No powers or boy for me. Then these calpa shape-shifters started to attack our island, and guess what their favorite snack is?
Us, raw.
I’m so beta I can’t even, and then this cray dark druidess stole my BFF, Deb. I’d do anything to get out of here now because duh. Last night I went to cry myself to sleep, and thought Deb came in, and then I had this weird dream. Only when I woke up everyone had gone—the squad and the clan. I climbed the watch tower to signal for help, but the village and the druid settlement had disappeared.
The whole island stepped off on me.
Everyone had gotten sick of Gayla’s endless whining after Bonfire Night, so we all avoided her. But when breakfast was over I went up to her chamber to drag her out, and found her bed empty.
“I can’t believe she’d run away,” I told Tory as the laird began organizing a search party. “Where would she go?”
“Gayla would never bolt, Coco,” Reggie put in. “She has zero survival skills. Also, Taxman.”
We all glanced at Ellar McGillean. Big, built, and as friendly as the IRS, he collected rent from the laird’s tenants. Gayla had been drooling over him lately, but he ignored her and the entire squad. I figured he had to be gay.
Jane joined us. “The doves just came back from the village and the druid settlement, Coco. They haven’t seen her.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “You feel that?”
The waft of cold air made me shiver. “Drafty old castle.”
A shout went up from the men as Ellar staggered away from the laird, frost covering his whole body, and then dropped. We all yelled when he vanished into the stone floor.
I couldn’t believe Ellar appeared out of thin air and passed out at my feet. He looked frozen, so I tried to drag him closer to the fireplace. The minute I touched him he shouted and jerked away.
“Chill,” I told him, and then felt silly because he was, seriously. “I mean, relax. Remember me? Gayla?”
“I couldnae forget.” Frost fell away from him, and he coughed out some snow as he pushed himself to his feet. “What did you to me?”
“I don’t have powers.” I pouted a little. “What happened?”
“A moment ago, we stood in the great hall devising a search for you.” Ellar looked around us and then his jaw dropped. “Gods. ’Tis the first Dun Dorchas.”
I frowned. “There was another one?”
He hurried over to a window. “The crith-thalmhainn hasnae come yet.”
“What’s a cree halaven?” I asked as I went over and peered out.
“’Tis what destroyed our first castle.” Ellar took hold of my hand and dragged me from the hall into the courtyard.
I smiled as he wrapped his arms around me. “So, you do like me.”
“Aye.” He tucked my head under his chin. “Stay still.”
I would have asked why, but then the ground began moving under my feet. Stones began raining down as the castle shook and swayed, and cracks raced up the walls. I squeezed my eyes shut, and then the quake stopped. So did everything else.
I looked up at Ellar, who had frozen into a statue, and then around us. The castle had stopped crumbling, but snow filled the courtyard now. I wriggled out of his arms as the ice on him cracked and fell away.
“Will you quit doing that?” I demanded as I brushed off my gown. “You don’t get sick, but I can. Also, freezing.”
“’Twasnae me, lass.” He pulled up his sleeve, revealing an upside-down U tat.
“You’re the master of horseshoes?” I guessed.
“The Arch Keeper chose me. I may go where I like with but a thought,” he added. “Only I didnae ken where you’d gone. ’Tis your power.”
“It’s really not.” I thought for a minute. “Okay, last night I dreamed about Christmas. There was an earthquake that day, and it smashed Deb’s favorite snow globe.” I grinned. “That’s it—it’s not me, it’s her. She did this. She wants to tell me something.”
“Then you’ve been bespelled.” Ellar scooped me up in his arms. “I’ll try to return us.”
<
br /> “What if you can’t, and I’m stuck here forever?” Suddenly I wanted to go back. “Never mind, you wouldn’t care.”
“Oh, I’d care.” He kissed me until I practically turned into goo. “Hold tight now, lass.”
Kendric found some spell trace on the stone floor, but before he could do anything more Gayla and the Taxman suddenly appeared. They both laughed and hugged while the rest of us stared.
“Be still, my lady,” Kendric said, and pulled from the pocket of her gown a small sack. “’Tis time magic.” He tossed it into the hearth, and sparks burst from the flames to form a glowing image of Deb.
“Sorry, Gayla,” she said, and then looked at me. “Coco, talk to the Skaraven. Use the portal to go back and stop this.”
“Wait,” I said, hurrying over. “Stop what? Why did you do this? Can’t you get away from Ruith?”
“Bae, I am Ruith.” Deb faded away.
I still don’t understand the trick Deb pulled on me, but Coco and McAwesome are going to talk to the Skaraven. I’m staying here because duh. Ellar is my guy now! He stayed away because he thought he was too dull for me. Only he isn’t, plus he can pop in my room whenever he likes.
By the way, he likes to every night.
Chapter 25
Shamaness
After my bae Deb delivered her message I knew I had to follow up. Master Gowan assured me the only way to travel quickly to Dun Mor, the Skaraven stronghold, was by portal. Since only he could control one, he’d have to go.
My husband wasn’t thrilled by the idea.
“They’ve despised druids for indenturing their clan, Gabrielle,” Griogair said, his violet eyes dark with worry. “They’ll no’ welcome you.”
“Gill sent a heads-up to Chieftain Brennus.” Naturally I’d heard all the scary stories about the Skaraven, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. “Plus, if they get nasty, I’ll kick their asses to London.”
The next morning Griogair made me take his favorite dagger before he kissed me good-bye. He also muttered something to Kendric in Gaelic.
“Did he threaten you?” I asked as we stepped into the circle of stones.
“Aye. If you dinnae return unharmed, he’ll geld me with a dull blade.” Kendric tucked my arm through his. “Slowly.”
The ground opened under us, and we dropped into a threshing whirl of leaves. A blink later we stood in another stone circle in a huge, ancient-looking forest.
“Better than my last trip,” I said to Kendric. “You okay?”
The druid nodded past me, and I turned to see three very big warriors with blades drawn. To demonstrate my druid power, I turned and high-kicked a huge boulder, sending it sailing over the trio’s heads. It crashed somewhere south of us, taking a swath of trees with it.
“Anyone want to visit Britannia?” I asked sweetly. “Like, right now?”
All three lowered their swords.
“Welcome to An Monadh Ruadh, Lady Gabrielle. Dru-wid.” The warrior curled his lip at Kendric before he added, “Our shaman expects you.”
The Skaraven led us through the woods and over a river to what looked like half a mountain carved into a castle with a strange patch of stone pillars blocking the main entry. From that rock warren emerged the biggest Scotsman I had ever seen. Silver streaked his black hair from each temple, and he had gray eyes that reminded me of the moon. Ink curved on his forearms in what looked something like rackets or paddles cut in half.
The big guy stopped in front of us, stared at me hard, and then bowed. “I’m Ruadri, shaman of the Skaraven Clan.”
“Gabrielle McGillean. This is Kendric Gowan, our druid tribe headman.” Another clansman passed us and stared at me. “You’re okay with visitors now, right?”
“Aye.” Ruadri gestured toward the stone pillars. “Come inside, and we’ll talk.”
Over hot brews in an incredibly ancient great hall I explained the situation with Ruith, how one of them had sent Gayla back in time, and what Deb had said to me about being the dark druidess.
“I’ve known her since we were little girls,” I assured the shaman. “No way did she come from the fourteenth century.”
“Our chieftain reckoned you lasses all came from one tribe.” Ruadri regarded Kendric. “You ken ’tisnae so.”
“No’ Deborah, nor Gabrielle.” The druid gave me a pained look. “I sense you two dinnae share the Angels’ bloodline. Your friend may share Ruith’s, which would permit her to reincarnate in Deborah.”
“Ruith wouldn’t have known about last Christmas. Deb’s still in there.” I wanted to kick down a wall, but that wouldn’t help. “Shaman, she told me to talk to the Skaraven, and to use the portal to go back and stop this. Does any of that make sense to you?”
“My battle spirit once sent Emeline and me back in time.” Ruadri sighed. “’Twas so we might witness a great tragedy in the distant past. We couldnae stop it, yet watching events unfold aided us in understanding what shaped our enemies.”
“All we know about Ruith is that she’s a dark druidess who got busy with a shape-shifter and died having his second kid.” I noticed Kendric doing the secret look thing with Ruadri. “Don’t play druid guessing games, gentlemen. Tell it to me straight.”
“’Tis what we ken about you, my lady,” the shaman said. “I recognized your bloodline the moment I looked into your eyes. They’re the same bonny blue as my Emeline’s. You’re of the McAra Clan.”
I frowned at them. “Why would my heritage matter?”
“The McAra share a bloodline with the most formidable shamans among druid kind,” Ruadri told me. “Their kin possess much favor with the Gods, and sway over the spirits of others.”
“You’ve ever guided the other Angels,” Kendric added. “The lasses come to you with their troubles, just as I reckon Deborah did. And Ruith made her appeal to you.”
I rubbed my forehead. “Better bottom line it for me, guys.”
“You’re a born shamaness, my lady.” Ruadri sounded almost sorry for me. “Your godly strength, ’tis only one of your powers. You’ll need training.”
“Deb is our problem,” I pointed out.
“You’re the light, and she the dark. ’Tis what drew you together.” The druid touched my hand. “Only you’re meant to be opponents, no’ friends.”
I got up and walked out, and kept going until I reached the river. There I saw a dark-haired woman standing on the bank. She turned to look at me with eyes exactly like mine.
“You’re Emeline,” I said.
“Aye.” She had a soft Scottish accent, and a smile just like mine. “Have the lads muddled it, then?”
“Pretty much.” I told her what they’d said, and then asked, “What would you do?”
“I can only tell you what I know,” Emeline said. “Love is the grandest power any of us have.”
I nodded. “I’m not giving up on Deb. Not ever.”
Emeline walked back with me, and we shared the clan’s morning meal before Kendric and I went home. Griogair stood waiting, and hugged me so hard I thought my lungs would collapse.
“Turns out I’m a shamaness,” I whispered. “Hope that’s okay.”
He kissed my brow. “As long as you always come home to me.”
Chapter 26
Dark Places
I knelt in the garden as I picked the last of the blaeberries before the birds got them. I was hoping to add them to a batch of bannocks, which was the closest thing to blueberry muffins we could make in the fourteenth century.
My gaze strayed to the old oak grove on the other side of the glen, and I felt a familiar tug in my chest.
Since rescuing me from the portal, Pherson McGillean didn’t like me going anywhere near it. Being thrown back in time after my plane crashed had trapped me between worlds in a ghostly state. Now that I’d rejoined the living, I had no intention of returning to that dark place.
Yet every time I saw the grove these days, I had the strongest urge to go and step in the circle of stones. That m
ight get me stuck inside again, or take me back to my time, where I’d probably die instantly. I didn’t feel suicidal, though, and my friendship with Pherson was slowly blooming into a romance. I had every reason to stay.
“Told you Jane was out here.” Reggie came over and inspected my basket. “Can I take these to Cook? She’s making those muffin things.”
“Sure.” I handed them over and watched her skip back inside. The girl who had come with her stayed behind. “You need something, Lola?”
She tipped her chin at the trail by the water. “Take a walk?”
Lola’s druid power gave her the ability to read people’s deepest, darkest secrets by touch, so everyone avoided going near her. Although she seemed fine with that, I didn’t care for it.
“Sure.” I followed her out of the garden.
We walked down to the loch, where Lola stopped and looked out at the water.
“The grove is messing with us.” She glanced at me. “I read you last night at dinner, when you passed me the applesauce. Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I frowned. “You said us.”
“I feel the same thing, like it’s pulling at me. “ Lola hunched her shoulders. “I don’t want to go back and die.”
“Me, either.” After my life had fallen apart in the twenty-first century, I’d come to Scotland to kill myself, but being a ghost had cured me of that. “Do you think we should talk to Master Gowan?”
“No.” The cheerleader produced a coil of rope. “Let’s find out what the grove wants.”
Since I had already survived being trapped inside the portal, I insisted on going in. Lola agreed to stay outside the stone circle and keep an eye on the rope we’d tied around my waist.