“Da?” Darach stumbled closer. “Are ye...alive?”
“Aye,” Grant croaked before he cleared his throat and focused on Darach. “Now this has been a wee bit o’ magic I hope to never use again.”
“Thank, God,” Darach muttered before he threw his arms around his father. “You’re really alive.”
“Aye, lad.” Grant hugged him right back. “Thanks to you and Jackie.”
Darach helped his father stand. “Are you well?”
“I am,” Grant said and pulled Jackie into a tight embrace. “I’m verra proud of you, lass. My son is lucky to have you.”
“And I’m lucky to have him,” she said softly. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“Aye.” He pulled away and eyed the tree with pride. “What a beauty.”
“’Tis,” Darach agreed as he took her hand and looked up at the tree. “But I dinnae ken how ‘tis here...now.” His eyes fell to his father. “Or you for that matter.”
“I once told you this tree was born of great love.” Grant’s eyes went from her to Darach as he grinned. “Great love, indeed.”
“But I thought the stories were about Aunt Torra and Uncle Colin’s love,” Darach said. “Did they not create the baby oak?”
“Aye,” Grant said. “But ‘twas you and your lass who made sure it ended up here. Exactly where it needed to be.”
Jackie frowned, trying to remember what she had learned about this clan. “Forgive me if I’m wrong but how is that possible when this tree was here twenty-seven years ago, but yet it was just created now?”
“Because there is no such thing as the passing of time in the Otherworld. ‘Tis like any other supernatural world. So right now can just as easily be twenty-seven winters ago.” Grant’s eyes fell to her ring. “Speaking of time, we’ve little left now that your ring has ignited. The demi-god has been tracking you, but thankfully we’ve stayed one step ahead.” He started for the castle. “Good to see you’ve got the sword with you, Darach. You’ll need it soon.”
Darach pulled her after him. “What’s going on, Da?”
“I’ll tell you soon enough,” Grant said.
They jogged to catch up.
“Da, there’s nothing here but death.” He gestured at the castle. “No people. Nothing. We’re in the Otherworld.”
“Aye,” Grant agreed. “The Otherworld.”
Darach frowned. “You’re reminding me a bit of Adlin right now.”
“Aye?” A small smile curved Grant’s lips. “’Tis nice to hear.”
She and Darach glanced at each other, confused.
“Do you know where Eara went?” Jackie said. “Is she okay?”
“I would imagine,” Grant replied as he strode over the drawbridge. The moat was dry, and the portcullises appeared to be rusted open. “But you can ask her yourself.”
“I can...” Jackie started but stopped as they headed for the second portcullis. Eara was trotting around in the courtyard.
“Eara, you’re here,” she exclaimed as the horse trotted up to her. “I don’t understand.”
“’Tis hard to ken any of this, lass,” Eara said. “Worry less about me and follow Grant, aye?”
“Please do,” Grant encouraged as he strode through the courtyard. “We’re almost out of time.”
Darach nodded and pulled her after him. “But what about Eara?”
When she glanced back, the horse was gone. More confused than ever, she stumbled up the stairs after Darach. They only made it about a quarter of the way before a terrible sound screeched overhead and the land started shaking.
Grant whipped around and eyed the sky. “Hurry up! We cannae use our magic here.”
“But the tree,” Darach argued as they struggled up the stairs despite the rumbling. “’Twas great magic, aye?”
Jackie glanced back one more time to see if Eara had returned and tripped.
“I’ve got you, lass,” Darach said as he turned back to help her.
Eyes frozen on the horizon and so scared she couldn’t move, she whispered, “What the hell is that?”
“What?” he started but went silent when he saw what she referred too. Yes, the three shadows, the Genii Cucullati, rushed in their direction. Yes, the massive dark cloud that was the demi-god rushed in their direction. But that wasn’t what rendered them immobile.
No, it was something far more sinister.
A wave of jet black shrouded the horizon. A wave that simply ripped everything beyond from sight as it moved closer. It destroyed everything.
“That, my kin,” Grant said. “Is hell itself.”
“Balor,” Darach whispered.
“Holy shit,” Jackie whispered.
“Let’s go,” Grant roared. “Now!”
Darach threw her over his shoulder and raced up the stairs two at a time. Terrified or not, she was impressed at how good he was on his feet considering the massive earthquake.
What she didn’t expect to hear were so many familiar voices when Darach plopped her down in the great hall beside Grant. They stood in front of the massive mantel that she and Darach had created. Her eyes widened on the various faces in the rock.
They were speaking...no, chanting.
All of Darach’s cousins. His sister. Even his aunts and uncles. She peered closer. Was that Adlin? Iosbail?
Grant started chanting as well.
Miraculously enough, the earthquake ceased, and Eara trotted into the chamber seconds before the Genii Cucullati twisted in and shot towards Jackie. When Darach leapt in front of her and thrust up his hands, they smashed into an invisible wall.
Then boom. Crash. The floor rocked.
A deep suctioning sensation made her ears pop before the light became so bright she was momentarily blinded. Wind whipped around her as an all-too-familiar voice roared, “She’s mine!”
When she was able to see again, the great hall was no longer dark but normal. Everyone she had seen in the mantle except Adlin and Iosbail were alive and well, and rushing to protect her. Jackie leaned against the side of the mantle as pain tore through her head.
She knew what it was.
The tumor.
Better yet, the darkness behind it.
Eoghan half manifested as he tore through the room with his minions in tow. Magic was thrown in all directions as the demi-god, and Genii Cucullati battled against the MacLomains, MacLeods, and Hamiltons.
It was a fight for the ages.
Weakened but still on her feet, Jackie blinked, amazed by what she saw.
Movement in the Viking tapestry.
“Jackie,” whispered through her mind.
“King Naðr?” Her eyes widened. Who else could it be? Because that tapestry had come alive and the man at the Viking’s feet struggled beneath his blade.
“Do you trust me, woman?”
She had come to like the King very much. He’d been nothing but kind. “Of course, I do.”
“Then go with Heidrek.”
How many times would this request be asked of her in a lifetime? Twice was once too many.
“But I love someone else,” she said.
His eyes met hers. “Then trust me and go with Heidrek.”
The fighting became more intense as magic whiplashed across the hall. Darach stayed in front of her the whole time, shifting air every which way to keep her safe. Her eyes shot to Heidrek when he moved closer.
She shook her head. “I can’t leave him.”
Darach’s words entered her mind as he battled. “What’s happening, lass?”
Heidrek put a finger to his lips and shook his head. “He cannae hear we Vikings unless we allow it.”
“What’s going on?” she cried into his mind. “Why can’t you just tell me?”
No sooner did she say it than pitch black filled the doorway and everyone’s magic seemed to compress into a mirage. Darach glanced over his shoulder, and his eyes narrowed on Heidrek as understanding dawned.
Here they were.
All over aga
in.
Her only chance of survival lay with Heidrek.
There was no hesitation. No jealousy. Darach managed to roar two words before all hell broke loose.
“Save her!”
Heidrek threw her over his shoulder and raced toward the tapestry. Blackness swirled around the room, taking half the great hall with it before it rushed after them. But it seemed the Viking was faster as he leapt straight at the tapestry.
Another boom erupted around her before everything slowed down and Heidrek dropped her to her feet. She had a split second to gain her balance before he cupped her cheeks and kissed her. As soon as it began, it ended.
“Did you not tell Darach we kissed?” He winked. “Now there are no lies between you and your husband.”
“Loki’s balls, Heidrek,” the Viking King exclaimed as he appeared beside them. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“Love is love, Uncle,” Heidrek muttered. “Just not mine to have this time.”
She suddenly realized where they were.
Inside the tapestry.
“Are you ready, Nephew?” Naðr asked Heidrek.
“More than ever.”
The King laughed. “That’s my lad. Let’s end this once and for all.” Jackie’s eyes rounded as everyone vanished from the great hall a blink before the Genii Cucullati whipped over their head and into the tapestry. Heidrek scooped her up when blackness overtook everything and screams of rage echoed around her.
The air went icy, and numbness settled over her moments before fire erupted. Heidrek tossed her, and she sailed through the air. Jackie screeched as she landed in Darach’s arms. His entire family was chanting and moving closer to the tapestry. When she looked back at it, she shook her head in denial.
Flames ravaged it.
Hell ravaged it.
“Go, Son!” Grant roared.
Jackie had no chance to see what was happening before Darach swung her onto Eara, leapt up behind her and the horse took off.
“Oh no,” she cried as the great hall vanished, and they ended up back in the last place she wanted to be.
The Celtic Otherworld in Ireland.
“Aye.” Darach swung down then pulled her after him. “But I think we might stand half a chance here this time.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you kissing Heidrek in the tapestry didnae hurt our cause. Now Eoghan wants you more than ever,” he whispered near her ear before pulling away.
Her eyes widened. That didn’t sound good. She shook her head and strode after him. “I didn’t kiss Heidrek. He kissed me.”
Darach pulled a dagger from his boot and handed it to her. “It doesnae matter.”
“I think it does.”
“Nay, lass.” He nodded at the blade. “Use that wisely.”
Eara neighed and stomped her foot. “Aye, fight well. Both of ye.”
“But we’re back where we began,” she argued. “We don’t stand a chance.”
“Mayhap not.” Darach walked backward, his eyes on the sky as a black cloud rushed over them, then thumped down hard. “But we’ll soon find out.”
His eyes fell to hers. “Remember everything I taught you.” He nodded at her dagger. “Use it only if needed.”
“What? Wait!”
But it was too late. Darach spun and raced away. The second the black cloud shifted into Eoghan, he drove a foot into his chest and rushed him. The demi-god flung out his hand, and Darach fell back.
Not that far, though.
Darach leapt to his feet and swiped the blade. Eoghan evaded then came back at him. When Darach thrust at his throat, the demi-god dodged. Darach jumped the blade when Eoghan swiped low. The fighting became so fierce there was no way of keeping up. All she could do was watch closely and be there if Darach needed help.
“Soon enough,” a soft voice said.
Her eyes whipped to the beautiful woman who materialized beside her. It couldn’t be. Jackie had last seen her at MacLomain Castle before Darach thrust her into Heidrek’s arms. The evil bitch had been fighting her own brother Cullen, a Highlander turned angel.
Jackie narrowed her eyes. “Brae Stewart.”
“Aye,” Brae drawled. “Back once more.”
Brae had been Eoghan’s sidekick from the beginning. She was every bit as corrupt as him. Jackie kept a cool head and clenched her dagger. “You’re not going anywhere near Darach.”
Eyes trained on the fighting, Brae offered no response.
So Jackie did what she was taught. She focused on her surroundings, tuned out the fighting and paid attention. To the way wind kept blowing Brae’s hair in her eyes. How she seemed to favor her right hand. Better yet, how Brae didn’t see Jackie as a threat in the least. If Erin was right, the Scotswoman’s magic didn’t work here either.
So it was now or never.
Jackie waited for the next gust of wind then made her move. She tagged Brae in the jaw then punched her in the stomach. Ouch. Everyone made it look so easy, but that likely hurt her fist as much as Brae’s chin.
Brae rubbed her jaw and frowned. “I probably deserved that.”
“Are you kidding me?” Jackie held out her dagger and circled Brae. “You totally deserved that for everything you’ve done!”
“Nay, Jackie,” Darach said into her mind. “She’s on our side now.”
She frowned, dagger still at the ready. “Since when?”
“Since now.” He dodged another close swipe of Eoghan’s blade. “I’ll fill you in later.”
“So she’s on your side now, aye?” Clearly having heard their silent communication, the demi-god roared with laughter. “Then Brae Stewart has decided the life of her parents and clan no longer matter.”
Some had started to speculate that Brae Stewart was aligned with the demi-god against her will, but most remained unconvinced. After all, she had killed her own brother.
Brae’s eyes flickered between Jackie and a nearby hill. “Ye must save yerself, lass. Get up that mountain now.”
What? How was running up a mountain going to do any good? Jackie shook her head. “No way. I’m here to help Darach.”
“As am I.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Jackie said.
“’Tis true.” Darach ducked beneath a mighty swipe of Eoghan’s blade. “The demi-god’s power is nearly gone. A power that forced her into slavery in order to keep her family safe.” Darach spun and leapt when Eoghan’s blade swept low. “She’s here to see him to his end. To right wrongs!”
Grunts of pain rippled through the air as the men fought.
“Run, Jackie!” Darach roared seconds before Brae jumped into the fight as well.
Run? That was about the last thing she wanted to do.
“Of course, it is,” Eoghan murmured before he flung up his hands and black crackled around him. A sizzling shadowy force field stretched out and encompassed Jackie as well. Though Darach and Brae kept swinging their swords, the demi-god was untouchable.
A second later, he stood in front of her. His icy fingers touched her cheek with affection. “My master might be gone, but ye are not.” His eyes focused on her ring then shot to her eyes. “We can be together again. Do ye not remember what we had?”
“I do. Very clearly.” Jackie gripped her dagger tightly. “You wanted me, and I didn’t feel the same.”
“But ye did.” He shook his head, as deranged now as he had been back then. “Ye must have, lassie.”
Maybe it would be better to go about this another way and use his desire against him.
“You’re right.” She softened her voice. “But do you understand how I might have forgotten?”
“Aye, the bloody ring.” He frowned, and his eyes swept over everything before they landed on her again. “This was where we first met. This was everything, Gwendolyn.”
Though she started at the use of that name, she showed no reaction. “I know. I’m sorry.” She touched her temple. “I just kept forgetting, and I knew something was wro
ng.”
Enchantment and insanity mixed in his dark gaze. “Aye. Close. But not quite there.” He touched a spot slightly higher than her temple. “I asked him to put it here.”
Jackie struggled to breathe as he pointed to the location of her tumor. She tried to remain logical despite the horror. “So you know about it.” Bile rose in her throat. “You were there when it...” she started to whisper but trailed off.
Eoghan’s brows perked and an unnatural smile curled his lips. “Aye, lassie, Balor made sure the growth took root.” He leaned closer, pleased. “So that ye would once again be mine.” Lust and promise lit his dark eyes. “And now we will pick up where we left off.”
Chapter Nineteen
JACKIE COULDN’T PRETEND to desire this monster...could she?
She might have been cast into slumber at the time, but she heard what Lair said at Hamilton Castle. How the tumor was unnatural. That evil likely put it there. And now evil controlled it...her. Or at least it had. Because regardless of what happened now, she wasn’t simply accepting her fate anymore. She was ready to fight. To go down fighting. Yet she was careful to keep her anger hidden.
“You’re right,” she whispered. “I’ve been blinded to the truth for far too long.” Her eyes rose to his as she stepped closer. “But now I remember.” Though repulsed, she pressed her hand against his heart. “How much you cared.” She hid behind her eyelashes and kept a lovelorn tone. “How much I cared.”
His pupils flared. “Ye remember now, aye?” He closed the distance, cupped the back of her head and lowered his lips. “There’s still time to marry. To restore things to what they should have been...” He leaned closer and whispered, “I love ye, lassie and have come so far to have ye once more.”
“I’m so glad you never gave up,” she murmured and closed her eyes, tried to remain calm.
“My lassie,” he murmured then his lips closed over hers.
This was it.
Her golden opportunity.
So she drove her dagger into his gut.
The demi-god roared with rage and staggered back with disbelief as the cage around them fizzled away. All hell broke loose as Darach and Brae came at him again. Eoghan ripped out the dagger, more furious than ever as he battled.
The MacLomain Series: Later Years - a Scottish Time Travel Romance Boxed Set Page 108