Evernight

by Donna Grant

“In your head?” The voice laughed. “I’m not in your head.”

  “You are.”

  The staff warmed in her hand. “Are you sure?”

  “Stop it.” This time, Sybbyl kept her voice controlled, but she felt anything but calm.

  The voice laughed again.

  Sybbyl looked around the cottage. The voice was in her head. It had to be in order for it to know what she was thinking.

  “How…naive. I’m part of the First Witch, the most powerful to have ever walked this Earth. You hold a part of me and push your magic into the staff.”

  She swallowed. “When I use the magic of the staff, I’m allowing you inside me.”

  “From the first moment you touched me. I know all your secrets, Sybbyl. All your fears.”

  She didn’t respond to that. Instead, she asked, “Tell me why my wounds aren’t healing.”

  Silence met her words.

  After squeezing her eyes closed for a moment, she asked, “Will you please tell me why my magic isn’t healing the wounds?”

  “You hold a relic, a piece of me. The Heart is living, breathing, and holds more magic than a single bone. The Heart wants you dead for what you’ve done, and she made sure to put that in her magic when the two of you clashed. There is nothing you can do to heal yourself.”

  “I refuse to believe that. Magic can heal anything. I’ll find the right spell. Sooner or later.”

  Thankfully, there was no answer. Sybbyl leaned the staff near the hearth and used a spell for food. Once she had eaten her fill, she found a bathing tub and snapped her fingers, filling it instantly with hot water.

  With the fingers of her good hand, Sybbyl swirled the water, using magic to infuse it with healing properties. Then she disrobed and stepped into the tub.

  18

  The weather hadn’t held. The new cloak Synne wore was better than her old one, but even it couldn’t keep the rain from her. But it wasn’t just rain. It was snow mixed with rain. She’d never seen anything like it before.

  “It happens,” Lachlan replied when she asked about it.

  Even the horses seemed irritated at the turn of the weather. Their progress slowed because of the sleet. Synne didn’t know how much longer she could stand being in it, but it wasn’t as if she had a choice. They were out in the middle of nowhere without any shelter. Where could they go to get out of the storm?

  A shout from Lachlan ahead of her had Synne lifting her face to see what he was doing. He waved at her and nudged his gelding into a gallop. Synne leaned low over her mare and said, “Let’s go, girl.”

  The horse quickly followed, and it wasn’t long before Synne saw what Lachlan had shouted to her about—a cave. It wasn’t easy to get to, and they had to dismount to lead the horses up to it. But once inside, it was large enough for even the horses to take shelter.

  “Get out of your clothes,” Lachlan told her as he hurriedly removed the saddle from his mount.

  Synne ignored him and busied herself with her mare, but her fingers were so numb, it took twice as long as usual. Finally, Lachlan was there, pulling her hands away to do it for her. She then began to undress, but the moment the cold air hit her skin, she was shaking even more.

  “I don’t think this was a good idea,” she told him.

  He ignored her and set about digging through his bags for something. When he turned to her, a thick, wool blanket in the MacCullum plaid was draped around her. She smiled her thanks and sank down on her haunches to cover as much of herself as she could.

  “I’ll be back,” Lachlan said as he headed toward the cave entrance.

  She immediately stood. “Where are you going?”

  “We need a fire.”

  “There’s no wood.”

  “Peat. I’m going to find peat. I willna be long.”

  With that, he was gone. Synne looked at her sodden clothes laid out to dry and wrinkled her nose at the thought of putting them back on, so she remained. The horses stood huddled together, their heads down, and their eyes closed. She could sleep as well if only she could get warm. Why anyone would want to live in such a climate was beyond her comprehension. She couldn’t function in such conditions.

  Her eyes snapped open when she heard someone approaching. Before she could even think about getting to her bow, Lachlan called out to her. Then he was back inside, pulling out a large mound of peat from his cloak and vest.

  She watched as he quickly created a pile of it and got it lit. The first crackle of the fire brought a smile to her face. It wasn’t long before the flames were high, and heat reached her. But Lachlan wasn’t finished. He put his bag near her and then removed his clothes. She eyed his large body once more, and this time, she was able to lower her gaze to his cock. Even flaccid, it was impressive.

  “Keep staring, and there will be another way we can warm ourselves,” he said with a smile.

  Synne grinned and opened her blanket. The moment his chilled skin touched hers, her teeth chattered together. Lachlan then took the cover and unfolded it even more, creating a large enough section that they could lay on it and cover themselves.

  “This is better,” she said when they were chest to chest, their body heat melding.

  “Much. I think we should always sleep like this.”

  Synne nodded. “I agree. I didn’t think I’d like to sleep with someone, but I find that I enjoy it very much. Your chest makes a nice pillow.”

  He chuckled softly. “And I verra much like holding your soft body against me.”

  “Does everyone sleep like this?”

  “I doona know. I think if they doona, then they’re missing out.”

  She lifted her face to him. “Agreed.”

  His lips met hers for a soft kiss. “Are you getting warm.”

  “Aye. Finally.”

  “You worried me. I swore you were turning blue.”

  She snuggled against him, shifting her legs so she could warm another part of them. “I confess that I don’t particularly enjoy the cold, but I’ve never had it affect me quite like this.”

  “You’re used to a milder winter than we have up here.”

  “I’m doubly glad you found me a better cloak.”

  He rubbed his hands up and down her back. “Aye. Me, as well.”

  She heard the worry in his voice, however. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

  “When I think about you making this trip alone, I can no’ fathom it.”

  “I would’ve survived. It’s what I do. It’s what we all do. We have something that must be done, and we put one foot in front of the other until it is.”

  He kissed the top of her head and released a deep breath. “I know you’re capable. I just…”

  “Worry,” she finished.

  “Aye.”

  “I don’t want to be a burden.”

  “Nay, lass,” he admonished. “No’ like that. I worry because I care. Deeply.”

  She let his words linger between them for a moment. “Because we were together last night, and you were my first.”

  “Nay. I’d feel this way regardless if we had shared our bodies or no’. You’re special, Synne. But you’re verra special to me.”

  That made her smile. “I care about you, too.”

  The warmth soon had Synne drifting off to sleep. She didn’t know how much time had passed when Lachlan shifted and caused her to wake.

  “Hungry?” he asked.

  “Aye.”

  He extracted his arms and moved the blanket just enough that he could sit up and reach for his bag. There, he took out some oatcakes and a waterskin. He gave her the food and tended to the fire.

  Synne watched him, wondering what life would be like if it was just the two of them. The current situation had thrown them together, but Lachlan had chosen to come with her. He’d joined her on her mission. Would they get on well if they had met under different circumstances? Would he even want her if they had met differently? Would she want him? Would they have argued or passed each other as if neithe
r existed?

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked when he returned to the blanket.

  Synne sat up, keeping the cover around her with one arm free. “If we had met under different circumstances.”

  “I doona understand.”

  “You approached me because I was in your forest. If we had been in a village, would you have spoken to me? Would I even have looked at you?”

  He gave a nod. “Ah. I see. To answer your question, I absolutely would’ve gone up to you.”

  “You can’t know that,” she said with a smile.

  “Aye, I do. You snagged my attention in an instant. I couldna look away. I still can no’.”

  Synne leaned her head on his shoulder. “I like this. I don’t like being cold, but I like being with you. A lot.”

  “Hearing that makes me happy.”

  With Lachlan and the fire, Synne was soon warm. It wasn’t long before she was once more drifting off to sleep. She didn’t care when Lachlan wrapped his arm around her as he lay down. She fell asleep on his chest, a smile on her face.

  * * *

  Synne was startled to find herself in a forest. She couldn’t remember where she had been, but she knew it wasn’t this place. It was warm, as well. That seemed…odd, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

  She turned in a circle, looking around. There was nothing about the woods that seemed familiar. And yet, she had a feeling that she knew this place. She couldn’t pinpoint why no matter how hard she tried.

  The forest was an old one. Large trees with twisting, gnarled branches hung over her head. The ground was littered with moss and ferns. In the distance, she heard the gentle sounds of a brook. But what caught her attention was the silence. There were no birds, no animals. Nothing.

  Unease rippled through her. Her heart began to pound, and her hands grew clammy. She needed to hide, but where? All around her, she saw nothing but trees. She rushed toward a moss-covered boulder and tried to climb it. She slipped, skinning the palms of her hands when the moss fell away.

  Synne ignored the wound and managed to get atop the rock. But still, the fear wouldn’t relinquish its hold. She scanned the woods, searching for…someone. There was someone out there. She knew that with the same certainty that she knew they would help her. She just needed to wait for them.

  She drew her knees up to her chest and tried to calm her racing heart. There was a tree near, and she might be able to jump the distance and grab hold of its limbs. She was always trying to climb trees, and she had yet to accomplish the feat. But up high, she would be able to keep out of sight of whatever was out there.

  As she looked at the tree, it appeared as if the bark moved on its own. That wasn’t possible, though. But the longer she stared, the more she was sure of it. Then, suddenly, eyes stared back at her.

  Synne opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out as the full shape of a woman with skin that looked like the bark of the tree faced her. The woman’s hair, piled atop her head, even appeared to be bark. The fact that she had blended in so well with the tree that Synne hadn’t seen her had icy fingers of fear clawing at her.

  Then the tree-woman held out her hand to Synne. She didn’t move, too afraid to run away, scream, or even take the being’s hand. Synne hadn’t known such a creature existed.

  The being moved the hand closer as soft whispers filled the air. Synne couldn’t hear what was said, but it did nothing to calm her. The being wanted her, but why? Synne was nothing like her. Besides, she was waiting for…

  She never finished the thought as the sounds of someone running toward her caught her attention. Synne turned her head to look. She saw a woman with long, blond hair holding her skirts and running as fast as she could. Behind her was a man with light brown hair, bellowing something.

  Just as Synne thought she was about to hear him, the whispers grew louder. She slid from the boulder to go to the couple. She knew them. That’s who she had been waiting for. Now that they were there, she’d be safe.

  The man let out a shout as he was suddenly grabbed by another of the tree-creatures. Synne cried out when he disappeared into the tree. The woman glanced over her shoulder, but she never stopped running to Synne. That’s when Synne decided to go to her. She had barely gotten up to a run when the creatures grabbed the woman, as well.

  Synne halted, tears flowing down her face as she screamed, her hand outstretched for the woman, who kept reaching for her even as the being dragged her to the tree.

  19

  “Synne. Synne!” Lachlan yelled as he tried to wake her.

  He’d been pulled from sleep by the sound of her screaming for her mum and da, but it was the terror in her voice that made his heart clutch.

  “Synne,” he said again as he pulled her thrashing form into his arms “It’s all right. I’ve got you. You’re safe. You’re safe, lass.”

  He stroked her, calming both her and himself. He wasn’t sure how long he held her before he realized that she had stopped moving and was no longer screaming. Lachlan glanced down to see her clutching his shirt as if he were the only thing keeping her there.

  Only then did his heart begin to calm. He’d never seen someone have a nightmare like that before. His sisters had had their share of scary dreams. Even he had experienced night terrors before. But nothing close to what he’d just seen with Synne. Whatever she’d seen had clearly been horrifying. The fact that she had called out to her parents made him wonder if it had something to do with what had happened to them.

  He pressed a kiss to her forehead and held her tighter. Lachlan didn’t ask about the dream. She might not remember it, and he didn’t want to drag her back into whatever had scared her if she did. The fire was dying, but he didn’t want to release Synne to stir it. They remained as they were until a chill traveled through Synne. Then, he had no choice but to get the fire going once more.

  “I’ll be right back,” he whispered.

  Reluctantly, she released him and huddled in the blanket. She wouldn’t look at him directly. Her gaze remained on the fire, watching the flames grow until the red-orange glow shone on the cave walls.

  Lachlan slid beneath the blanket and held out his arms. Synne immediately turned to him. He let out a little sigh of relief. It meant a lot that she’d gone to him. Maybe in a few days, he’d ask about the nightmare. For now, he’d simply hold her.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had that nightmare,” she said, her voice soft and breaking as if it took everything she had to get the words out.

  He rubbed his hand up and down her back. “Tragedies can sometimes dredge things up.”

  “I’d forgotten I’d ever even had them.”

  Lachlan imagined a young Synne, found by Edra. He might not have known the witch, but if she was half of what Synne said, then there was no way Edra would have stood by and done nothing as Synne suffered night after night. Because if he were capable of magic, he’d make sure that Synne never experienced another nightmare again.

  Synne sniffed. Lachlan smoothed back the strands of hair that had come loose from her braids. The fire crackled, and one of the horses blew out a loud breath.

  “Edra stopped them,” Synne stated in a whisper.

  Lachlan nodded. “Aye. I believe she did.”

  “Now that she’s…gone…so are the spells she used.”

  “Perhaps the Varroki can help you once we reach Blackglade.”

  Synne was silent for a long time. Then she said, “Nay.”

  “What?” he asked, taken aback by her refusal.

  “I need to face this.”

  Lachlan put a finger beneath her chin and turned her face up to his. “Lass, I’m no’ sure that’s wise. You were screaming. The fear I heard in your voice was…” He shook his head. “I can no’ even find words. And then you kept calling for your—”

  He halted then, realizing what he’d been about to say.

  “Calling for who?” she asked.

  He debated whether to lie or not,
but in the end, he decided on the truth. “Your parents.”

  Synne’s gaze took on a faraway look. “She had blond hair, like mine. He had light brown hair. Their faces are faded,” she said as her brow furrowed. “I can’t even see their eyes. They were running to me, trying to get to me. All these years, I didn’t know if they’d abandoned me or not, but they didn’t.” Her gaze returned to him. “I know what happened to my parents.”

  “It was a nightmare, lass. I’m no’ sure you can believe what you saw.”

  “It wasn’t just a nightmare. I was reliving what happened.” She licked her lips, a tear falling from the corner of one eye. “They were killed, Lachlan. By the Gira.”

  His breath left him in a whoosh, as if he’d been sucker punched in the gut. “But…they didna take you.”

  “Nay,” she said with a small shake of her head. “I don’t know why. One reached out to me, trying to get me to take her hand, but I wouldn’t. I saw them take my father first. My mother fought them with everything she had. It took three of the Gira to get her. She kept screaming my name, her hand reaching out to me. I ran toward her, trying to get to her.”

  “Do you remember anything after that?”

  “Nothing. My memory is blank until Edra brought me to the abbey. I don’t know if it was days, weeks, months, or years between.”

  Lachlan sighed. “At least you know the truth about your parents now.”

  “What happened to them, aye. But I doona know where we lived, who they were, why the Gira didn’t take me, or even what forest Edra found me.”

  “You didna ask where Edra found you?”

  She shook her head. “It never seemed to matter. Especially when the nightmares stopped, and I could live normally.”

  “You know witches. Surely, there is a way to find the answers.”

  “Maybe,” she said and ducked her head.

  He felt her lashes rubbing against his chest as she closed her eyes. Lachlan listened to her even breathing, but he knew she wasn’t asleep. He couldn’t stop thinking about how she had said one of the Gira wanted her. It had reached out a hand to Synne instead of taking her as it had her parents.