The Black Wolf

by Fela Dawson Scott

  Anger burst inside Kolyn. She struck out, landing a blow to Dwight's chin, then catching him with her left hand on his lip, splitting it. "You sorry bastard!" She hit him again. "Put me down!" she yelled.

  He dropped her, and she landed on her backside. His look remained murderous. "You want to kill me," she goaded him as she quickly stood up. "Then do it!"

  She faced him, standing close, taunting him. "Do it, Dwight." She grasped his hand and wrapped it about her throat. "End your torture now." Dark eyes watched her. His grip tightened as the pain on his face increased.

  "End it all, Dwight. Put us both out of our misery." Why she was doing this, she didn't know. Did she really want to die? Did she really believe Dwight would kill her? His hand cut off her air, and the hall began to whirl about her. Blackness threatened her. He let go.

  "I cannot," Dwight cried out, his voice full of anguish. "You sorely tempt me, but I cannot!" Fury took her blindly on. "You cannot! You will not!" She hit him hard across the face with her doubled fist. "You coward!"

  He caught her hand before she could strike him again. She tried to get free. "Forgive me, Kolyn."

  "I'll not. You've gone too far, Dwight. I'll not forgive you this time." She reeled out of control, but she didn't care. He pulled her into his arms, stilling her struggles.

  "I hate you," she screamed against his chest. Darkness drifted over her. "I hate you." Kolyn fainted.

  Ian sat very still, wondering if he had heard wrong. Surely he had. The fire crackled loud in the great chamber where Geoffrey had found Ian and Ainsley, a game of chess having kept them up to this late hour.

  "I dinna ken how she did it. Stealin' the stores from under our very noses." Geoffrey's statement made it clear Ian had heard him correctly. But his harried pacing told him even more. "Yes," Ian drawled, keeping a tight rein on his emotions. "How did she do it?"

  "Too easily," Geoffrey conceded. Ian turned to his mother, whose expression showed her worry. "If they are truly in need of our food, I for one would gladly let them have it," she said. "I agree," Ian replied softly, his mother's reaction again a surprising one. "But," he added, "I'd prefer she ask rather than take." "She doesn't seem to be a woman who will ever seek your help, Ian."

  "She's gone too far this time. I can't have her coming and going as she pleases in my own home." "What do you intend to do?" his mother asked. "I think it's time to put this whole feud behind us. Once and for all."

  Geoffrey watched Ian leave the room. Whatever Ian had in mind, Geoffrey would be interested in the ending to this tale. Something told him there were still a few surprises in store.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Kolyn opened her eyes to a dark room. Her first thoughts were confused, distress underlining them. Slowly, she realized she was in her own room. She tossed back the bedcover and crossed to her window. Light streamed in when she pulled the drapes aside, the angle of the sun telling her it was early morning.

  She recalled the fight she'd had with Dwight, and felt ashamed at her loss of control. Kolyn let the velvet drop back over the panes of glass, casting her back into darkness. She wished she could block out her thoughts and feeling as easily as she did the sunlight. Nellie's soft knock sounded, and Kolyn called for her to enter. The cook ambled in, her large frame filling the doorway, her arms filled with a tray loaded with food.

  "Lass, what are you doin' out of bed?" She bustled across to set the tray on the table. "You are t' do as I say." "I'm fine, Nellie. Really I am." Kolyn's objections went unheard as the woman bundled her up and tucked her back into bed. "You need your rest, child. You've been pale an' your appetite is sufferin'. 'Tis time you let your Nellie take care of you."

  Before she could object, Nellie had the tray set in her lap. Hot scones with gooseberry jam, porridge, and tea tempted her, but her stomach rejected the thought. Suddenly, she felt light-headed and her stomach lurched.

  "I'm not hungry, Nellie. Please take it away." Nellie's brow furrowed, and her lips pursed, but she removed the tray from Kolyn's lap and placed it on the bedside table.

  Kolyn laid her head back on her pillow, closing her eyes to still the whirling of the room. "I'll just lie here a while," she said to Nellie Noises drifted to Kolyn's ears, the sound of many horses riding into the courtyard below causing her to open her eyes.

  "Nellie." Kolyn looked at her servant. "Please see what is going on."

  Nellie did as asked, but quickly pulled back from the window. The fear on her face prompted Kolyn to stand again, despite her stomach's objections. "Oh, lass, you must stay abed," Nellie moaned, her hands twisting her apron into knots. "Go back to your kitchen, Nellie. I'll see to this." Kolyn threw back the curtain and peered out. She too felt fear prickle the back of her neck. She ran from her room to her father's for a better view.

  "I wish to see the MacGregor!" Ian's words were clear, demanding. Kolyn stepped back, the back of her hand held to her mouth. She swallowed her fear. "What is it you want?" Ian recognized Dwight MacDougal as the man stepped through the manor doorway and faced him and his men. He looked bedraggled, not at all like the strong-hearted man Ian remembered.

  "I want to see Lady Kolyn." Ian was not a man who liked repeating himself, but today was a day of many unpalatable things. "She does not want t' see you, Blackstone. 'Tis best if you leave now, afore we come t' blows."

  Ian continued to sit on his mount, looking down at the man. "I've come to make peace with the woman, Dwight MacDougal. I'll not leave till she sees me." "Then you'll die," Dwight growled.

  "Then someone will die." "What do you want, Blackstone?" a voice called out. Quickly, Ian studied the many windows, determining from which the woman had spoken. "I've come to speak with you, Lady Kolyn."

  "As I said." Kolyn's voice remained hard, revealing nothing to him. "What do you want?" "I want peace." Ian still could not see her but a familiarity swarmed over him. "I've nothing to say to you. Go, while you can."

  "Will you not show yourself?" Ian shouted up to the blackened windows, aggravation running strong inside him.

  She did not answer. Ian's horse moved impatiently beneath him. "What is it you want from me, MacGregor? You've helped yourself to my cattle, my sheep, my pigs. You even dared to take from my storeroom."

  Still no comment. An idea teased Ian's mind, forming a thought he did not want to recognize. "I'm glad to give it all to you. You are welcome to whatever you need. I'll not let your people suffer for your father's neglect." "It's not enough," Kolyn screamed, shame pushing her anger forth. "What more do you want?"

  Ian's question made Kolyn question herself again. What did she want? She had sworn to kill him. And she had failed. She had failed her father and her people. She had failed to protect Andrew. She had failed everyone.

  I want you dead, Blackstone! I want you dead." Slowly, Ian rode forward, closing the distance between where she stood at the upper window and him.

  "Then kill me, Lady Kolyn." Ian raised his empty hands in the air, showing her he held no weapon. A nagging sense of recognition lay just beyond his grasp. "Kill me now and be done with it."

  As if in a dream, Kolyn grasped the bow from her father's mantel. Her gaze locked onto the image of her father, the damage she had inflicted upon the painting like scars upon his soul. Guilt, shame, fearit all bore down upon her. His eyes stared at her, filled with anger at her failings. Kolyn returned to the window. Stiff, trembling fingers placed the quill of the arrow against the string. She pushed all thought from her mind. She raised the bow, took aim, then fired.

  Ian saw the flash of the arrow tip, but did not move. The arrow embedded itself in his chain mail, only the tip piercing flesh. Ian glanced up and saw Kolyn MacGregor look out, the sun setting fire to her hair. Then she was gone. Recognition pounded across his mind, so brief yet so powerful. He looked to Geoffrey, wondering if he had seen her. He had not. Ian pulled the arrow out and flung it to the ground. His war-horse raised up high on its hind legs, pawing the air fiercely. Ian twisted around as the horse came b
ack to the ground, his words carrying the cold, icy anger he could no longer control.

  ''Tell your mistress she had her chance. I'll not stand for any more of her tantrums. If she wants something, she has only to ask. But if she wishes to continue on with these childish raids, I'll have no choice but to put an end to them." Dwight's face twisted into a mask of rage. "You just try and stop us." Ian pointed his finger at Dwight. "I'll start with you, Dwight MacDougal. You'd best talk some sense into her. She's a damned pest."

  "I'll fight you here and now!" Dwight yelled, stepping forward, his hand upon his sword.

  "No. It will be on my terms when I kill you." Ian whirled his mount around. "Not till then." Kolyn watched Ian ride out of the castle's courtyard. The bow she held slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor.

  "What have I done?" she whispered. Guilt overwhelmed her, bringing tears to her eyes. She should feel disappointment, not relief. She had failed to kill the Black Wolf, and she was sickened not by her failure, but by her attempt.

  She stared at her hands, wondering what they were capable of. As she had watched the arrow arc across the courtyard the consequence of her actions had hit her. The fierce pounding of her heart had stopped for one brief second, until she saw the arrow had caused no harm. Her hands still shook from the realization that had come during that momentto kill Ian would kill a part of her he now controlled.

  Two distinct sides were at war inside Kolyn. On one side, she held the promise to her father, the threats of her brother, and the desire to protect Andrew from all the evilness that surrounded her. Was Ian part of this evil? In the eyes of her clan he was, but in her heart she believed he was not.

  That was what lay on the other side. Sensitive, confused feelings for a man she barely knew. Yet a man she had made love to. Not in horror or distaste, but with pleasure and immense desire. A desire that still remained. A desire that haunted her every moment. And a love that she could no longer deny or hide away.

  "Should we ride out an' attack the bastard?" Dwight filled the doorway with his bulk, drawing Kolyn's tearful gaze to him. She shook her head. "No, he came in peace. Let him go in peace." "You cannot mean" "I can and I do!" She could see how much he wanted to go after Ian. It was plainly written on his face, and it frightened her.

  Dwight left her standing there, alone and confused. Ian rode hard all the way back to Stonehaven, his temper pounded out with each slash of his horse's hooves. Ian slowed only when he entered the stable yards.

  How could he have not known? Once again he felt the fool. Lynn . . . no, Kolyn must be having a good laugh at his expense. The cold fury settled in his heart, its strength pushing aside the newer, tender emotions he had allowed to revive.

  "I should strangle the witch!" He jumped from his saddle and handed the reins to the stable boy. Geoffrey's laughter echoed off the stone walls, somehow saying I told you so, bringing a warmth to Ian's face.

  "Tell me, Geoff." Ian smiled, lazy and slow. "How is it that this woman was able to walk in to Stonehaven without meeting any resistance? Except, of course, the two men she knocked cold." "Obviously" Geoffrey shuffled his feet uncomfortably "she knew her way about."

  This prompted a serious nod from Ian. "Aye. I thought that strange." A MacGregor had never set foot inside Stonehaven, but Lynn had. She knew exactly where he kept his winter stores because he had shown her himself before the harvest festival. Once again, Geoffrey felt a strange feeling of knowing Kolyn MacGregor. "Do you ever get

  the feelin' we ken the MacGregor?"

  "That we know her?" Ian asked innocently. He wasn't ready to face acknowledging Lynn's true identity. "Aye." Geoffrey rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Sometimes it feels as if we should ken the woman."

  "We ran into her when the grain caught on fire. Remember . . . the woman was covered in soot from head to toe. It was hard to take her seriously. Couldn't weigh a hundred pounds, soaking wet."

  "She's a spirited lass, though," Geoffrey reminded him with a big smile. "Yes, she has proven to be a pain in the ass. Even more so than her father. At least when I faced the MacGregor men, I knew where I stood. With a woman, I'm at a loss. I can't fight her, yet I can't let her go on with this feud of hers."

  "You have no way of winnin', my friend." "Aye," Ian conceded. How ironic he loved the very woman he hated. "Seems I've had no luck with my women, Geoff." Geoffrey agreed with a small laugh. "You can't get one woman out of your life and the other won't be a part of it. No luck at all, my friend." "Perhaps they're in league together, to make my life hell."

  A thought flashed across Geoffrey's mind so unthinkable it left him breathless. "Geoff." Ian's voice broke into his jumbled thoughts. "You look quite troubled. Are you all right?" Geoffrey nodded. "Yes, I'm fine. Just had a strange thought, 'tis all." "Anything you wish to share?"

  "No." Geoffrey stepped away. "I've got to tend to some business, Ian. I'll be seein' you later."

  Ian wondered at what disturbed Geoffrey, since his friend's mood was generally jovial, but Ian had his own problem to tend to. Kolyn MacGregor.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Kolyn knocked on her brother's door and waited for him to answer. She had missed taking Emmett's breakfast up and felt she needed to check on him. No answer came. Quietly, she opened the door.

  "What the bloody hell . . ."

  Emmett looked up, meeting Kolyn's shocked gaze. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Kolyn recognized the woman. Her name was Juanita. Many believed her to be a witch-woman, and feared her magic powers. Kolyn felt only anger.

  "What is she doing here, Emmett?"

  A smirk crossed his lips as Juanita gathered up her potions and powders. "I would think that it was obvious, sister." Kolyn turned to Juanita. "Get out." "You've no need to be angry," Emmett said. She looked back to her brother in disgust, then walked over to the table by his bed and grabbed a bottle that lay on it. "She's here to practice her witchcraft and you think I shouldn't be angry."

  "It will help me walk," Emmett mumbled through gritted teeth. The look in his eyes was murderous. Kolyn knew she had hit on the truth. She threw the bottle across the room, smashing it against the wall. "You will never walk, Emmett. You know that." "I don't know that!" he screamed. "Juanita can help me, and you'd best stop interfering!"

  "What is he paying you?" Kolyn nearly choked on her anger. They were nearly destitute, and Emmett was wasting money on this witchery. She crossed to stand before Juanita. "What is he paying you?"

  Juanita merely sneered at her.

  Kolyn reached out and twisted Juanita's arm behind her back, bringing a yell of pain and surprise. Indignant fury gave Kolyn the strength to push the larger woman out the door and down the long flights of stairs. Once outside, she gave the witch-woman a hard shove. "Get out and don't come back. There'll be no more money for your worthless cures."

  Juanita smoothed her skirt and straightened her blouse. "You would be wise not to anger me, Kolyn MacGregor. I have the power to reveal the secrets within your heart." Casually, she strolled up to Kolyn, putting her face only inches from hers. "I can reveal the secret that lies within your womb." Juanita laid her hand on Kolyn's belly, and suddenly Kolyn was afraid.

  Juanita smiled. "I may be the only friend you have when it comes time to rid yourself of this curse." "Leave me be," Kolyn muttered, her anger gone, weak and shaking. Juanita's laughter made her wince, the sound trailing behind the woman as she walked away, the evil sound remaining even after she disappeared. Kolyn ran inside to escape it.

  She heard Emmett screaming her name, and knew she had to face him. Slowly, she climbed the stairs and returned to his room. "What lies have you told that woman, Emmett?" It was obvious he was beyond anger, his face hideously twisted with emotion. "I tell no lies. It is you who keeps the truth from me!" "Me!" Kolyn was amazed at how his mind worked. "You spend what little money we have on that woman's witchcraft, wishing your life away on her spells and potions. She cannot make you walk. Nothing will make you walk."

>   His laughter was vicious, cruel. "I'm no fool. I know what the future holds for me. But I fear if I stop trying, I'll die. I'll die a pathetic cripple." "I . . ." Kolyn didn't know what to say to his intimate confession.

  "I would prefer your anger to your pity, Kolyn. Do not pity me!"

  Kolyn felt tears sting her eyes, but fought to keep them from falling. "Sometimes I hate you."

  This made him smile. "Yes, that's better." "This woman frightens me," Kolyn confessed, instantly regretting it.

  "You'd be wise to fear her. She's quite wicked." "I cannot let her come back here." "Did she threaten to tell about the child you carry?"

  Shock bolted through Kolyn. First, that it was her brother who had implanted this idea into Juanita's head. Second, that it had not been just a madman's rhyme. The sickness in the mornings. The swell of her stomach. She was going to have a baby. Ian Blackstone's baby. "Did you not know this, Kolyn?"

  She hadn't realized. No, it couldn't be. "How did you know? No, how did Jacob know?"

  Emmett snickered in his usual annoying way. "You can be so innocent. Nellie's been quite concerned about your lack of appetite, your sickness in the mornings. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together. Even with

  my New Year's prediction, you were caught unaware?" Again she didn't answer, yet he seemed to read her mind anyway.