by Donna Grant
The only magic he felt strongly was Evie’s. He glanced at her to see her worry growing.
“It’s nothing. Let’s get you two inside,” he said as he put his hand on Evie’s back and guided her to the door.
Guy opened the door before they reached it. “I’m glad you two returned. And with Brian, I see,” he said with a welcoming smile. “Rhys filled me in.”
But Malcolm wasn’t fooled. Guy’s demeanor was too nice. The underlying current, however, said that something had gone pear shaped.
Malcolm stepped inside the manor, but didn’t go any farther. He turned on Guy as he closed the door. “What’s going on?”
Guy sighed. “I had no idea Phelan did it, Malcolm. You need to understand that. No King did.”
Those three little words said what Guy could not. Unease rippled through Malcolm. His instinct was to grab Evie and Brian and start running. Where to go, was the problem. There was nowhere else. He would have to face those from the castle.
“Malcolm,” Evie said, her voice wavering.
He turned around to find the Warriors and Druids from MacLeod Castle spilling into the foyer from the sitting room. Malcolm quickly moved to stand between them and Evie.
“Phelan told us what happened,” Fallon said, his green eyes hard.
“I bet he did.” Malcolm cut a look at Phelan. “I doona remember you running to the castle when you were trying to keep them from knowing about Aisley.”
Fallon cut his hand through the air. “This is Warrior business, Malcolm.”
“This is my business!” Malcolm yelled, his teeth bared in anger. He welcomed that fury, took it and let it slide through him until Daal was purring with it. “I didna go to you for this exact reason. Instead of coming alone, you brought everyone. Shall I tell you what that shows me?”
Evie’s hand touched Malcolm’s arm. “They’re your family. Listen to them.”
“Nay. Coming en masse tells me the time for talking is over.”
Aisley pushed her way past Phelan and moved to stand in front of Fallon. “Malcolm, please. Phelan was doing what he thought was best.”
“Strange how he didna feel the same about letting them know of you, Jason’s cousin and the one who shot Larena.”
Aisley licked her lips and glanced back at Phelan. Her forehead puckered. “It’s true. He didn’t, but—”
“This is different?” Malcolm finished for her. He didn’t hide the sarcasm and ire from his voice.
“Enough!” Constantine said as he strode into the foyer, his jaw set and his fathomless black eyes pinning Fallon.
Malcolm watched Phelan pull Aisley back to his side and whisper something in her ear. Then his gaze moved to Con who looked from him to Fallon.
“Malcolm, Evie, and Brian have been offered sanctuary,” Con announced. “The only way they leave is if they want to.”
A muscle ticked in Fallon’s jaw. “You’re overstepping your bounds, Dragon.”
“I’m helping a friend,” Con said tightly. He looked from Fallon to the other Warriors gathered. “There are things that happened tonight none of you are aware of. Perhaps you should learn all the facts before you react.”
Malcolm breathed easier when Evie put her hand in his. When he looked down at her it was to find Rhys, Hal, Guy, Banan, and several other Dragons he hadn’t met standing behind him.
“You were offered sanctuary as well, Phelan,” Rhys said. “It wasna that long ago all you cared about was keeping Aisley’s identity from everyone, including Charon.”
Brian touched Malcolm on the back to get his attention. Malcolm turned and focused on Brian’s hands. It didn’t take long for Daal to help Malcolm learn sign language.
“No,” Malcolm said. “No one else is going to hurt Evie. Or you for that matter.”
Fallon started to say something but was stopped by Larena as she moved to stand beside him. Malcolm focused on his cousin, hiding his shock at seeing the woman looking so vibrant and alive once more.
“Hello, cousin,” she said with a smile.
Malcolm gave her a half grin. “Hello, cousin. You’re looking better.”
“I am better. The effects of the drough blood are leaving me. I hoped you’d return to the castle.”
He looked at Evie and squeezed her hand. “I had no intention of ever returning.”
“And now?” Larena urged.
Malcolm looked into her smoky blue eyes and shrugged. “I think it’s better if we remain here.”
“Why?” she entreated.
At one time Malcolm would have done anything for Larena. He still would, but things were different. Evie was his focus now. Evie, the babe she carried, and Brian.
There was movement though the group of Warriors as Gwynn pushed her way through while Logan tried to yank her back. Gwynn’s violet eyes looked first at Malcolm and then to Evie.
“Would your name be Evie Walker?” Gwynn asked.
Brian slapped his hands together to get Evie’s attention. She looked from Brian to Gwynn in confusion. Brian was telling her not to tell them anything more.
Malcolm frowned. How much did Brian know, and more importantly, how much control did Wallace still have over him?
“Yes,” Evie answered Gwynn then winced when Brian’s hands moved faster in his agitation. “Why?”
“You’re the one with the site. When you get a second, can you tell me about the necklace?”
Malcolm felt Evie’s fear as she recoiled. He grabbed her to steady her, and when she looked up at him with clear blue eyes filled with terror, he lifted her into his arms.
She had withstood too much already. Evie looked ready to buckle beneath it all.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered.
He glared at Gwynn before he stared at the Warriors he had called family, daring any of them to try and stop him from walking out.
Rhys came to stand on his right while Guy moved to his left. Rhys gave him a nod. “Remember, Warriors, you are here because we extended an invitation. You’ve no idea how many Dragon Kings are still sleeping in the mountains.”
“Or how many are out patrolling,” Constantine said. “Doona start a war.”
Fallon turned his green eyes to Con. “I’m no’ the one starting the war.”
“What do you call this?” Guy asked. “You come here as a group to confront Malcolm to make him do whatever it is you wanted. None of you have given him a second thought or even seen the man he is now. All you see is the man he was. Take a closer look.”
Phelan snorted. “We’re worried about him. He was easily sucked into Deirdre’s world.”
“So I would so easily fall into Wallace’s?” Malcolm asked. “I was wrong to think of you as family. Guy’s right. You’re no’ seeing me.”
“We stood by you,” Hayden said.
Ian nodded. “And forgave you.”
Malcolm smiled, though it felt as if he had a dagger in his back. “You’ve no more forgiven me for killing Duncan than I’ve forgiven myself. Each of you has said you understood why I aligned with Deirdre, but I think it was all shite.”
“It wasn’t for me,” Larena said and walked to him. Her smoky blue eyes pleaded with him. “Please, Malcolm. Return with us. Bring Evie and her brother. We’ll sort it all out at MacLeod Castle.”
Malcolm shook his head sadly. “You ask me that now. I wonder if the offer will remain when you learn everything.”
He turned away from Larena and walked around the group of Warriors and Druids, refusing to look at any of them. Malcolm hadn’t expected the show of solidarity from the Dragons, but he was grateful for what they had done.
They would remain for one night, maybe two, and then he would take Evie and Brian and move on. The Warriors and Kings needed to remain allies, not enemies.
“I’m so sorry,” Evie said.
Malcolm looked at her and sighed. He had his woman back in his arms safe. For now, that was good enough for him. “All will be well.”
* * *
Con
stantine followed Malcolm with his eyes until the Warrior disappeared from view. Rhys and Guy trailed behind Brian, and Con knew his men would see all three settled comfortably.
“For someone who didna want us to know of you, you’ve certainly taken a stand,” Fallon said, his voice rough with indignation.
Con took a deep breath and faced the leader of the Warriors. Hal and Banan stood on either side of him while other Kings fanned out around the foyer and around the manor. There wouldn’t be a battle with the Warriors, but Con was making a point, and he wanted it brought home effectively.
“What did you expect me to do?” Con asked.
“No’ give him refuge.”
Con adjusted his silver cuff link at his left wrist. “As Malcolm mentioned, things happened tonight.”
“Like what?” Larena questioned.
Banan shook his head of short dark hair. “I’m no’ sure we’re the ones who should be doing the telling.”
“I have to agree,” Con said. “Malcolm and Evie, and even Brian, are going to need all the friends they can get in the coming weeks and months. You’ve just shown Malcolm he couldna count on you, the verra people he called family.”
Aisley gasped, her hand covering her mouth as her eyes went wide. “He didn’t. Tell me Jason didn’t do it.”
Con shifted his gaze to the dark-haired Druid and watched her intently. If anyone knew what Wallace was capable of, it was Aisley. “What do you think he did?”
Aisley glanced at Phelan and slowly lowered a shaking hand to her side. “The prophecy. He found a Warrior and a drough to complete it.”
“Aye,” Hal said, his lips twisted in disgust and anger. “Wallace used Evie and Malcolm to achieve his plans.”
Larena let out a loud breath. “And we all came to confront them.” She turned to Fallon. “I begged you to keep it just the two of us until we spoke with him. I might have lost Malcolm forever now.”
“What would that have done?” Fallon asked.
“No’ made him turn from us,” Lucan stated.
Quinn nodded and looked at the stairs. “There’s more that you are no’ telling us, aye, Con?”
“Aye,” Hal said, a finality in his words.
Con watched the play of emotions on the Warriors’ faces. He wasn’t sure why Fallon had brought everyone, but there had to be a good reason.
Fallon had done everything in his power to save his Warriors, most especially Malcolm. Why would he ruin all of that in one night?
There was more at play here, and Con was beginning to suspect that Wallace was somehow to blame. He’d set up an elaborate plan and patiently waited for it to unfold.
It was Ramsey who stepped forward. “I’d like to talk to Malcolm.”
“Perhaps tomorrow.” Con knew Malcolm needed but a small push to send him over the edge, and now wasn’t the time for it. “He and Evie need some time alone.”
Ramsey bowed his head. “I’ll return then. Fallon. It’s time we went home.”
Fallon didn’t say another word as he began teleporting everyone back to MacLeod Castle. When the last of them were gone, Con turned to his men.
“I want guards out at all times patrolling our perimeter. Pay attention to every hint of magic no matter how small.”
“You’re expecting we’ll have a visitor?” Banan asked.
Con looked at the ceiling above him. “I suspect Wallace will want to ensure Evie and Malcolm do as he’s demanded. I doona want that foul stench of a Druid on Dreagan land ever again.”
Hal smiled, his moonlight blue eyes alight with delight. “I look forward for the bastard to try and come at us.”
“Oh, he will, Hal, he will,” Con said.
Banan looked at the other Dragon Kings and grinned. “He can try. He doesna know who he’ll be tangling with.”
Con returned the smile. He might have wanted to stay out of the Warriors’ business, but now that he was in it, he and the other Kings would do their part.
“Just make sure he doesna discover the Silvers,” Con cautioned.
For if Wallace managed to wake the dangerous Silver dragons, then the war he and the other Kings had ended with the humans would return once more.
CHAPTER
FORTY-FIVE
Malcolm strode down the corridor until he came to a room. He thrust his chin at it and said to Brian, “You can sleep there. We’ll be next door.”
But when Malcolm continued on to the room he had been in after the confrontation with Wallace, Brian followed. Malcolm turned into the room and walked to one of the chairs were he carefully set Evie.
“I’m not going to break, you know,” she said with a grin.
He met her clear blue eyes, ever amazed that she had given herself to him. “I know your strength, Druid.”
“Do you?” she asked, her smile gone as seriousness took over. “Because I don’t. My world is shattered. In a matter of hours my soul belongs to Satan, and I have a child of pure evil growing inside me.” She looked away, blinking rapidly. “Strength? No. I was making a joke to alleviate my own fears. I’m scared to face the coming months, much less the next few hours.”
Malcolm put a finger against her jaw and turned her face to his. “We’ll weather this together. Your quick thinking got Brian returned to you, and we have the shelter of the dragons.”
“Right,” she said with a snort. “As if Jason really let us go so easily.”
“Whatever the reason, he did.”
“Yet you lost your family.”
“They were never mine to begin with. What happened tonight proved it.”
“Really? Have you known Fallon to ever do anything like this before?”
Malcolm sat back on his heels and sighed. “Nay.”
“Then there had to be a reason, and you can’t tell me that all of them are against you.”
“They stand as one, Evie. They always have, always will. That’s how they’ve won against evil time and again.”
She put her hand on his cheek. “But you aren’t evil.”
“Neither are you. Decisions, remember?”
After she gave a nod, Malcolm rose to his feet and turned to Brian. He stared at the teen for long moments wondering how to broach the subject. Finally, Malcolm decided the direct approach was best.
“Does Evie know?” he asked.
Brian’s lips thinned and his nostrils flared as he glared at him. Malcolm patiently waited.
“Do I know what?” Evie asked.
Malcolm kept his gaze locked on the youth. “I wasna sure at first. It took me a moment, but you gave it away when you looked at me while we were at Wallace’s. Then I knew for sure once we were away from Wallace and I could feel you.”
Brian grunted and shook his head before signing, “She doesn’t know.”
“I don’t know what?” Evie repeated, her voice rising.
Malcolm crossed his arms over his chest. “Your brother has magic.”
Evie looked from Malcolm to Brian and back to Malcolm, her forehead creased in a frown. “That’s not possible. Brian would have told me.” She turned her gaze to her brother. “You would’ve told me, right?”
“I heard Grandmother talking to you about it,” Brian signed with his hands. “I kept waiting for you to talk to me, and when you didn’t, I thought you didn’t want me to tell you.”
Evie was up and enfolding Brian in a fierce hug. “Never. I thought if you had magic you’d mention it. What a mess.”
Malcolm dropped his arms, pleased with the outcome. He hadn’t been sure how Brian would react to being confronted. With one issue dealt with, that left a thousand more.
Evie sniffed and stepped away from her brother, but not before she gave him a bright smile and pushed his hair back from his face. “Does Jason know you have magic?”
“I doona believe so,” Malcolm answered for the lad. “If he did, Jason would’ve turned Brian drough as well just to ensure you did as he wanted. What I want to know is how Brian was able to withstand Wallace’s
magic.”
Brian shrugged, causing his tee to pull at the seams. When Evie raised a brow, Brian sighed and once more used his hands to say, “I imagined a wall between me and that bastard. For some reason, none of his magic touched me. He was stupid and told me what the magic he was using would do, so I just acted as if I was under his control.”
“Quick thinking, lad,” Malcolm said in approval.
Evie beamed. “That was brilliant. Though I wish I could erect a mental wall between me and him.”
“Have Brian teach you. The fact Brian can do that without any training means the magic in your family is strong. There’s no reason you can no’ do it as well,” Malcolm said.
Evie bit her lip nervously. “There isn’t much I can’t do with this black magic inside me.”
Brian slapped his hands together to get their attention before he signed, “What is going on? I want to know all of it. And what are you, Malcolm?”
Malcolm sank onto the newly made bed and waited for Evie to begin. When she backed away and resumed her seat in the chair, Malcolm drew in a deep breath. “How much do you know of Druids?”
Brian shrugged, which is what Malcolm had assumed. Malcolm relayed the telling of Rome and the Druids. The youth listened intently, his gaze focused squarely on Malcolm.
“You’re a Warrior?” Brian asked with his hands.
Malcolm nodded. “That’s what you saw when I first came into Wallace’s office.”
“Tell him of your god,” Evie said.
Malcolm looked down at his arms. It was the scars on his right arm that caught his attention. Odd how when he was with Evie that he forgot about them.
“My god’s name is Daal. He was known as the Devourer. He has always controlled lightning, which is my power.”
“Daal,” Evie repeated. “And do you speak with him?”
Malcolm lifted one shoulder. “I can hear him in my mind, but we doona carry on conversations.”
“Can you kill Wallace?” Brian signed.
Malcolm braced his hands on his knees. “We’ve killed two droughs before him. There has to be a way to kill him.”