Mark of the Highlander (The MacLomain Series: Next Generation, Book 1)

by Sky Purington

Seth grinned and nodded. “We are, eh?”

  “So it seems we are stronger in numbers?” Colin said.

  “Most assuredly,” William said, his gaze shifting to Ferchar. “But I still dinnae ken how you managed to move all of you through time when Coira is closed off.”

  Eyes softening, Ferchar said, “He barred your wife first. The magic he used gave me forewarning. Now we will stand strong with more power than he can even imagine. He cannae beat us. And once he falls, so too does this gate he has erected.”

  “We believe he made an appearance last eve,” Iain said.

  McKayla looked at Colin, confused.

  “All know of your nightmare, lass,” he explained. “And while we’ve only recently learned Colin MacLeod exists, we aren’t sure he was the one who met you through the fire.”

  “Colin MacLeod?” Seth asked, taking her hand. “The guy from your book? Are you serious?”

  “I think the word you’re looking for is hero, not guy,” Leslie corrected.

  “Does it really matter?” Bradon asked.

  Her eyes cut to him. “Proper terminology always matters. At least where I’m from.”

  “Long story,” McKayla murmured to Seth then looked at Colin. “So you think it might have been Keir Hamilton in the fire?”

  “We cannae rule it out,” Colin said.

  William frowned at Ferchar. “You have much faith leaving your family alone. I wish I shared such confidence.”

  “Unwavering faith,” Ferchar said. “As should you, my friend. Between Coira, Annie and Arthur, no enemy would dare tackle such a front.”

  “But you’ve just a wee bairn and wife.”

  Ferchar’s chest puffed up some. “Och, but he’s a bloody special bairn.”

  “Is he ever,” Seth muttered.

  “What do you mean by that, lad?” Iain asked Ferchar.

  A fatherly pride lit his eyes. “There’s something special about this next generation. Though we are the last of the four original great MacLomain wizards, I suspect Adlin was just feeding our egos. It seems our bairns are stronger and better equipped to deal with this ever changing Scotland and all its in-betweens.”

  “What of my wife?” Seth asked. “Is she in danger?”

  “Nay, not in the least. If she were, I would know,” Ferchar responded. “As I said, the MacLomains are at the heart of this. Keir Hamilton’s eyes have turned our way and his wrath is formidable.”

  “Which brings us to why you are here,” Colin said.

  “Aye.” Ferchar’s eyes locked on the younger clansmen, Malcolm, Bradon and Colin. “Without warning, his armies will come as a swarm upon our land and shores.”

  “How do we best defend ourselves?” Colin asked.

  “Position those with mediocre magic on the borders alongside half of the clan’s strongest warriors,” Ferchar responded.

  “The rest of the warriors will surround the castle. The strongest wizards will stay inside the walls,” William added.

  “It makes no sense to put the most important of the MacLomain lineage in one place,” Malcolm said.

  “Assuming we’re the most important.” Bradon looked at his father. “Where will Torra be?”

  McKayla looked at the MacLomain men. Colin’s sister was very important. That much was clear, and though she was upset he hadn’t told her about Torra, she felt the same pang of urgency Bradon seemed to have.

  “In the dungeons below,” Iain said, his eyes meeting Seth’s. “With him.”

  Ah, perhaps the real reason Seth was here. But it made her heart skip a few frightened beats. “Why?”

  “Because there is dark magic, then there is downright evil,” Colin said softly.

  Seth snorted. “You must have loved saying that.”

  The corner of Colin’s lip inched up a fraction but fell when McKayla shook her head.

  “No way, not going to happen.” She plunked her and Seth’s entwined hands on the table. “He’s my friend.” When everyone looked at her with resolve she stood her ground. “As wife to the MacLomain laird, I assume I have some say in this.” She made a point to look at all who mattered. “Am I wrong? If so, can we call Arianna down and see if she disagrees?”

  Iain and William chuckled.

  “What?!” Seth, Sheila and Leslie said simultaneously.

  Seth snatched his hand away from hers. “You’re wife of who?”

  “Oh, right,” she muttered and shrugged. “I’m married.” McKayla glanced at Colin then the others. “To him. Last night. Sort of.”

  Sheila’s eyes rounded and a wide smile broke over her face. “Really?”

  Caught up in the joy her friend offered she couldn’t help but grin. “Yeah, so it seems.” But then she saw the dark looks on Seth and Leslie’s faces and felt the need to explain.

  “Just here…” she trailed off. “But not at home.”

  “You know I wasn’t happy with what Trevor pulled but wow, sweetie. He married you here? That says something!” Sheila nodded, grinning.

  “Yes, that he’s a master manipulator,” Leslie remarked.

  “And a total douche,” Seth added.

  Oh heavens. McKayla eyed all three of them, not sure how to respond, but then Colin’s eyes narrowed on Seth. “Why dinnae we get back to why Mr. Evil is going to protect my sister.”

  “I’ll bet my evil beats your good any day,” Seth challenged and then looked at Iain. “So I’m a warlock. That’s clearly why I’m here. As long as I know my wife is safe, it’s all good. Tell me how to protect your daughter and I will.”

  Iain nodded his thanks but it was William who spoke next. “Colin’s mentor fled from a great darkness.”

  Colin’s frown deepened. Iain’s eyes locked on his son and he said, “Whether or not you knew, your mentor fled from a man born of pure evil. We suspect ‘tis the verra reason he joined the assassins who execute in the name of good. You see his Da raised him on death and black magic. And while your mentor might have been strong in the magi, he could not touch his Da. For Keir Hamilton possesses the strength of our founder and brethren, Adlin MacLomain, with one difference.” His eyes once more turned to Seth. “He is a warlock.”

  “I never did ken the difference between a wizard and a warlock,” Bradon said.

  Leslie’s expression was nothing less than smug. “Does it really matter? Both titles sound ridiculous.”

  McKayla looked at her cousin. What in god’s name was she doing? Baiting Bradon? It most certainly mattered but it seemed Leslie was determined to retaliate against Colin’s brother.

  Instead of flirting like McKayla fully expected him to do, Bradon sat back, crossed his arms over his chest and said, “Are you not sitting in a castle surrounded by medieval Scotsmen who are indeed wizards? One would think you sharp enough to keep your thoughts to yourself, instead of verbalizing them.”

  “Verbalizing. Wow such a big word.” Leslie folded her arms over her chest as well. “If I knew you understood such words I never would have—“

  “Enough,” Colin interrupted, and tossed them a disappointed look, before focusing on Ferchar. “Aye, Seth might be a warlock, but I dinnae think he’s strong enough to be at the heart of this…to protect our sister.”

  “Nay, he’s the right of it, son,” Iain said. “Seth needs to be with her.”

  “Aye,” William seconded.

  Clearly frustrated and reluctant, Colin turned to the younger men. Malcolm seemed oddly complacent. He disagreed with his father. But because of the animosity that existed between him and Colin, he said the opposite of what he felt. “I tend to think our elders are right.”

  Colin sighed and looked at Bradon.

  “I would never second guess Da. Nor would I question William or Ferchar,” Bradon exclaimed. “How can you, brother?”

  As chieftain, Colin had the final say. It was his decision to make. McKayla only prayed it would be the right one. She was pretty sure he wouldn’t base his decision on her fear for Seth. And she could only hope it wouldn’
t be because of the friction that existed between them. She had to trust that Colin would put his personal feelings aside, and that he knew exactly what he was doing. For everyone’s sake.

  Colin looked across the table and took a deep breath before he spoke. “Ferchar and William will protect Torra when the time comes. Not Seth.”

  “Fool,” Iain muttered and frowned.

  All went quiet. Colin’s face remained unreadable but she knew his father’s remark must’ve stung. Seth’s expression was nothing less than puzzled. Colin ignored everyone and looked at Ferchar. “When do you expect they will arrive?”

  Ferchar didn’t appear the least bit put off by Colin’s decision. In fact, it seemed he had expected it. “Verra soon.”

  “Then we must alert the clan and be ready.”

  William stood. “Verra good.”

  When everybody made to leave Colin shook his head. “Malcolm, Bradon, Ilisa.” He looked at McKayla. “You and yours as well. Stay. We must talk.”

  Iain, Ferchar and William looked at one another then at Colin before nodding.

  The door to the hall blew open. Wind whipped and tossed the rushes.

  No matter how much she loved the castle, McKayla had a strange feeling that they’d be better off outdoors. Less imprisoned by what might prove a too-heavy discussion. “How about we sit outside? Get some fresh air.”

  “Sounds absolutely reasonable to me, lass,” Bradon agreed.

  “Me as well,” Ilisa seconded.

  “I’d rather not,” Malcolm said. “Be part of any of this.”

  Seth, Leslie and Sheila were equally neutral.

  “Too many ears,” Colin said.

  “Not everywhere,” she responded and shot him a pointed look.

  Understanding her implication he nodded.

  So with drinks in hand they made their way to the castle’s hidden garden. The MacLomains sat on one side of a veranda, while Mckayla’s friends and family sat on the other.

  She and Colin sat on the outer curve, his large body close, protective.

  And though the wind picked up it remained warm. If it started to rain they were all covered.

  “This is where it begins,” Colin said once they’d settled.

  They all looked at him as though he’d lost his mind. Any tension he displayed earlier seemed to vanish. “We’re the leaders of the next generation. We’re missing Torra and Ferchar’s bairn, Logan, but otherwise we’re all here.” His indifferent regard flickered over Seth. “And that includes you too, or so it seems.”

  “I’m here because you ordered it, not by choice,” Malcolm said, not hiding his disdain. “As is Seth. And while we might not be allies, ‘tis not the MacLomain way to make guests feel unwelcome.”

  “And I never meant to do such.” But Colin’s tone was lukewarm. “I remain curious to see if he will be as important as Ferchar seems to think.”

  “He happens to be sitting right here,” Leslie remarked. “Though you speak as if he isn’t.”

  Sheila, clearly eager to change the subject, gazed at their surroundings. “I still don’t know how you managed to be Trevor back home after growing up here. Why on Earth did you ever leave?”

  “It seems quite obvious. Is McKayla not your cousin?”

  Everyone was surprised by Malcolm’s question.

  Sheila looked at him, not put off by his brooding demeanor. “Last I checked, yeah. And who are you again?”

  “Malcolm MacLomain, first born son of William MacLomain and Coira Broun,” he replied as if amazed she didn’t already know. Sheila didn’t have a chance to respond.

  “Can we just get to the point of this little meeting,” Seth said, clearly annoyed.

  “Agreed,” Bradon said, sipping from a mug. “Far too many lasses are wondering where I am.”

  “Even with that God awful hair?” Leslie said.

  McKayla chuckled, and all eyes swung her way. “What? It was funny.” Good Lord, granted these were trying times but everyone was way too uptight.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be the laird’s wife? All proper like,” Seth asked. “And don’t think you’re off the hook yet, because I’m still dying to find out why you married him so fast. It’s a bunch of shit that he couldn’t wait until we were here.”

  “Shit? Is that like horse and cow manure? I believe we say shite?” Ilisa grinned then looked at Colin. “You abandoning your clan all those years ago was total shit, Colin.”

  Seth smiled and nodded. Ilisa winked back.

  Colin and everyone else shook their heads.

  Bradon, in good form, waited his turn to respond to Leslie. “The hair was an unfortunate mishap.” He leaned back casually, legs spread, plaid covering just enough. “But have no doubt, lass, all else is as it should be and in good working order.”

  Leslie’s eyes widened.

  Sheila laughed.

  Malcolm scowled.

  McKayla tried not to laugh. She was sure Colin was more than frustrated and she didn’t want to add to that. This was serious and it was time they all acted as such. Seth’s eyes met hers with encouragement before he redirected the conversation back to where it needed to be. “Okay, Colin. I’m as eager as the next to hear what you have to say.”

  Colin squeezed her hand as he looked at Leslie and Sheila. “It pleases me that you’re here if for no other reason than to lend support to McKayla. You are amongst many I’ve not been honest with over the years and for that I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”

  Sheila’s eyes softened, Leslie’s hardened.

  “Rest assured that you will be well protected here,” he promised.

  “Aye,” Bradon added, amused as he looked at Leslie. “Even the sharp tongued lassie.”

  Leslie’s eyes narrowed a fraction before she glanced dubiously up at the castle. “Something tells me I’d be safer protected by one of the many fleas that must infest this place.”

  “Leslie!” Sheila shook her head and said to Colin, “We accept your apology. We just need time to get used to everything.”

  “Oh, I dinnae think your flea-loving kin accepts his apology at all.” Bradon’s gaze flickered to Malcolm. “But at least she’s not alone in her discontentment, aye lad?”

  “You have my thanks,” Colin said to Sheila, apparently not worried about winning over Leslie just yet. “I only wish you could have come under better circumstances. I’m afraid it will be an unusual welcome for all of you. Preparing for war of any sort puts the clan in a rare mood.”

  Interest peaked, Leslie asked, “How so?”

  Ilisa chuckled and looked her over. “While the whiskey might not be well served, the lust certainly will be. Where there’s battling there’s mating.”

  “Aye,” Bradon agreed and winked at Leslie.

  Appalled, her eyes met McKayla’s. “Is she serious?”

  Before she could respond Sheila piped in, “I could think of worse things.”

  “No doubt you could,” Leslie muttered, as though she couldn’t work a room full of men as well, if not better, than most women.

  “Cut to the quick,” Malcolm said, his eyes on Colin. “I grow weary of this conversation.”

  Sheila shot him a grin. “So I guess talk of lust doesn’t appeal to you.”

  “Mayhap if my wife was sitting here, aye.”

  McKayla’s cousin offered him a loose shrug. “Good for her then.”

  Despite Sheila’s gracious response, Malcolm’s frown deepened.

  “As we speak the clan takes up arms. But it will not appear so to outsiders. Instead, they will see only celebration. A fire will be lit on the field and all will seem as it should be,” Colin continued.

  “Won’t that make it a whole lot easier to see what they’re aiming for?” McKayla asked.

  “They willnae get so close as that.” He eyed the sky. “And the gods favor us now with an incoming storm. A hurricane in fact.”

  Seth looked up. “Really? In Scotland?”

  “‘Tis rare but not unheard of
,” Ilisa said. “And it will make it far more difficult for our enemy.”

  “Aye.” Colin shocked McKayla when he looked at Seth and said, “Though ‘tis unlikely our lack of fondness for one another will change, while here stay close to me and learn.”

  “Learn from you?” Seth crossed one leg over the other. “I thought this time around I had one up on you being a warlock and all.” The corner of his lips inched up. “Evil understands evil, right?”

  “What do you know of handling a claymore? A bow and arrow? Can you ride a horse?”

  Seth’s lips flattened. “I see your point.”

  McKayla couldn’t help but grin. “It’ll do you good to work as a team.”

  Clearly neither agreed but Colin seemed resolved when he looked at Bradon and Malcolm. “You will accompany me while I teach him. You both are seasoned warriors and he needs to be trained quickly. This will also give us a chance to learn from him. Malcolm, you better ken the dark magic. Mayhap you can glean something from this warlock that Bradon and I cannae.”

  Seth glanced at Malcolm, intrigued. “So your magic must work something like Ferchar’s.”

  “Something like,” Malcolm said, dark gaze still settled on Colin.

  Colin addressed Sheila and Leslie. “McKayla and Ilisa will show you to your chambers and find you something appropriate to wear.”

  Ilisa sighed but smiled nonetheless when she looked at McKayla. “But then I’m off to sword practice.”

  “Of course.” McKayla glanced at the girls. “Maybe we’ll join you for a bit. Great for research.”

  “Then let’s make haste.” Colin stood and pulled her into his arms. “The sooner we are prepared the sooner I can spend more time with my new wife.”

  Not concerned in the least by the others he pulled her close for one of his long, knee-weakening kisses. And while she might’ve thought to keep it brief, once it started she certainly wasn’t able to end it. Hand tangled in her hair and free arm snug around her waist, his kiss was as thorough as any other. It was impossible to say how much time passed before he pulled back and cupped her cheek. “This will all be over soon.”

  McKayla ignored a swell of emotion. He was right. It would be…one way or another.

  When he and the men left, she continued to stare after him.