The Black Wolf

by Fela Dawson Scott

  "You are such a child, dear sister? Should I demand he make an honest woman of you?" "You needn't concern yourself, dear brother." She cleared her throat nervously. "I shall take care of my own problems." "The way you're taking care of the Black Wolf?" His words were full of contempt. "You missed him on purpose this morning when the bastard came to make his peace with you. Didn't you?"

  "That's not true." "Isn't it? How many other times have you tried and failed? You slept with him to kill him, yet you failed? Why?" She remained still, fearing even to breathe lest he see the truth. "Why did you not kill him, Kolyn? Do you want the Black Wolf, the father of the bastard child you carry, dead?" Kolyn wanted to turn and run. To get as far from Emmett as she could. But to run would admit her guilt. She stood her ground.

  "Tell me, was it so good for you that you can forget your promises? Did he make you squirm and scream with desire? Did you cry out for more?" "You bastard," Kolyn screamed. She stepped to the side of the bed and raised her hand to slap her brother across the face, but his hand was quicker. His grip was cruel. But not near as hurting as his words.

  ''You little whore. You slept with him, and you liked it." "No!" she denied. "Yes!"

  His mouth was close to Kolyn's ear as he whispered to her, his breath hot on her neck. "Did he touch your breasts?" Kolyn cringed, tried to twist free. His hand remained clamped about her arm, keeping her next to him.

  "Did he kiss the softness of your neck?"

  Kolyn began to sob openly. "Did you spread your legs for him willingly, or did he take you by force?" Kolyn screamed, "No." Emmett threw Kolyn from him. "You'd best learn to be nice to your dear, crippled brother. Or I'll have that witchwoman rid you of that bastard inside you." "You wouldn't," Kolyn whispered.

  "You forget who you're dealing with, Kolyn. Cross me and I'll see to it that not only does the bastard child die, but Andrew as well. I'd get much pleasure in sending both carcasses to the Black Wolf. Maybe even yours." Kolyn couldn't hold back the bile that rose in her throat. She emptied her stomach upon his floor. Get out, before you make me sick!" he screamed. She ran from his room.

  Kolyn nearly ran over Nellie as she made her way to her room. "Slow down, lass. You'll hurt yourself running blind like that." Just hearing Nellie's voice calmed Kolyn. "Would you see to packing some of Andrew's things? I'm taking him to Father McCloud's for a while." "'Tis almost dark. Couldn't you wait till mornin' child?"

  "No," she said, trying to keep her voice even. "I promised the father I'd be there tonight. I didn't keep track of the time. The church isn't so far away."

  "I'll see to it, lass." Nellie scurried off, then stopped. "I near forgot. This was delivered for you." Kolyn took the note, no seal giving her any idea of who the sender might be. She went to her room before she opened it.

  It read, I know that Lynn, the tavern maid, and Kolyn

  MacGregor are one and the same. Meet me tonight where the

  grain was set on fire. Geoff

  Slowly, Kolyn gathered her shattered nerves and tried to think. First she would take Andrew to Father McCloud's. He would protect Andrew. Then she would meet Geoffrey. perhaps he would kill her and end this nightmare.

  "Is there something amiss, child?" Father McCloud's face showed his concern, even in the dimly lit chapel where they stood. "I must settle my life, Father. I would worry less if Drew were with you. I know you will keep him safe."

  "Should I worry for your safety, Kolyn?" "Take care of Drew." She handed the sleeping child over to the priest and turned to leave. "Tell him that I love him. More than life itself." "God will watch over you, Kolyn MacGregor." "Aye, Father." Kolyn watched the moon as it made its path into the sky, the pale yellow sliver giving little light to the darkness about her.

  "I dinna ken if you'd come."

  Geoffrey's voice was deep and soft, holding no threat. Kolyn hoped this was a good sign. "I didn't have much choice but to come." "It took me some time to figure out that you and Lynn were the same woman. I was not happy to learn it." "I must confess I am not so happy either." A sigh drifted to her ears.

  "What is it we should do about this, Kolyn MacGregor?" Kolyn was surprised by his question. "Why should we do anything?" "You tried to kill Ian, didn't you? That night when you were together?" "No," she lied, but it came out a croak as her throat swelled up. "It was your intent." Geoffrey persisted. "I don't know."

  Suddenly Geoffrey grabbed her, his hand wrapped about her throat, shutting off the air she breathed.

  "You are lyin' to me. You tried to kill Ian, just as you tried this mornin'. I should kill you now and be done with it." Silently, she prayed he would. "Oh, God," he whispered, then released his hold, pulling her into his arms to cradle her. Kolyn began to cry. "What are you cryin' for? I'll not harm you."

  Kolyn pulled back and wiped at her tears, shamed by her weakness. "I'm crying because I wanted you to kill me."

  Geoffrey's sharp intake of breath and awkward silence made his surprise obvious. "I'd not kill a woman, no matter what you did." "Even to protect Ian Blackstone?" Again he was quiet. "I am bound by honor to kill Ian," she said. "You've tried three times and failed," he reminded her. "I cannot fail again." "What am I to do, Kolyn?"

  Kolyn felt his agony. "Nothing!" "I must tell him the truth." "Why?" she asked. "Why tell him the woman he made love to is his enemy? The very woman he hates. Would his best friend tell him such a thing?" "I don't know."

  "It seems we both have difficult choices to make." Kolyn walked away, leaving Geoffrey to make his.

  b

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kolyn walked quietly up the darkened stairwell, the skeletal staff of servants having long since gone to their beds. She stopped when she heard Dwight's voice. She glanced across the landing and saw the door to his room stood ajar. His giant shadow moved back and forth, waving in the flickering candlelight. From the mumbling and cursing that reached her ears, she knew he was drunk. She moved on to her own rooms and entered silently. She bolted the door.

  A great tiredness made her shoulders sag, but she knew sleep would be hard to find. Kolyn crossed to the washstand and poured some water into the bowl. She cupped it into her hands and splashed it over her face. The coolness felt good. "Let me in, Kolyn. I wish t' speak with you." Dwight's loud voice startled Kolyn, and she instinctively took a step back. He tried to enter, but found the door locked. He pounded on the door and called to her again. Still, she did not move.

  "Go away, Dwight. It's late, and I'll not see you as you are." He was silent, but only for a moment. "And how do you ken how I am? You do not ken what I feel or what I think." "You're drunk. That's all I need to know."

  "Aye," he hollered, his speech slurred. "I drink t' get you out of my mind. Yet I can smell the heather you wear when you come up the stairs." "Go away." She tried to sound firm. "Where have you been, lass?"

  Frustration churned inside Kolyn. "'Tis no concern of yours." "No concern of mine?" he asked, his voice rising in anger. "You sneak off and you mock me for asking." She did not reply. "Open this door, Kolyn, or I'll be bustin' it down." The threat was real, but she would not open it willingly.

  When the ax struck the door, Kolyn nearly jumped from her skin, the sound was so loud in the quiet of night. "Stop it, Dwight. I'll not stand for your insolence." He merely laughed and continued hacking at her chamber door.

  Dwight rammed the door with his shoulder, and it gave way, the wood splitting and splintering beneath his strength. Kolyn faced him with her anger. "How dare you." His laughter stopped. "Tell me, lass. Where were you tonight?" Kolyn pointed to the door. She wished her finger did not shake so much. "Get out, Dwight. I'll not ask again."

  "Did you go t' your lover?" "Lover?" "Aye, your lover. The man who planted his seed in your belly."

  Dwight dropped the ax he still held and stepped forward, his eyes full of anger and hate. "Did you go t' him, Kolyn? Did you beg him t' take you t' him? T' give you more of what you like?"

  "I have no lover, Dwight. You are dru
nk, and you are scaring me." Kolyn knew he was out of control, and for the second time that day she knew terror. His hand reached out and grabbed her before she even had time to react, his vise-like grip on her wrist unbreakable. He pulled her to him, his eyes glazed with madness.

  "I love you, Kolyn. It should be my child inside you." Dwight, you're hurting me. Please let me go." "No!"

  Kolyn closed her eyes to block the vision of agony reflected in his face. She wanted to scream, to allow madness to take her mind from the reality she was forced to live. "My bonnie sweet Katey."

  "I am not Katherine, Dwight. Katey was my mother." "Aye, Katey gave you to me when I could not have her."

  "No." Kolyn struggled to make Dwight understand. "She did not give me to you." His hand reached out and stroked her hair, loosening it from its plait. "Her hair was afire like yours. But you've more fire in your blood than Katey." "No one gave me to you, Dwight. Listen to me"

  "Your brother promised you t' me. You're mine, Kolyn." He pulled her into his arms, his mouth seeking hers. Kolyn twisted away, his lips hot on her cheek. Easily he picked her up, carried her to the bed, and threw her upon it. She tried to scurry away, but he hauled her back. "I want what you gave t' your lover, lass. I want what should have been mine." "No," she screamed, but he dropped his weight upon her. "We'll rid your belly of the bastard, and you'll be mine, Kolyn. I cannot stop loving you, even when you've betrayed me this way."

  He ripped at her dress, his large hands shredding it easily. Kolyn struck out, bringing her knee up into his groin. This gave her the moment she needed, and she scrambled off the bed and retrieved the ax he had dropped near the door. "Get up, Dwight." Dwight rolled over, then slowly stood when he saw her standing before him, ax in hand.

  She pulled on the servants' cord to waken them from their sleep, the frequency and intensity telling them to come quickly. She watched the many emotions travel across Dwight's features, but the one she feared was the hatred. Only a few minutes passed before Nellie bustled in. Instantly she was at her side, pulling a plaid about Kolyn's tattered dress.

  "Oh, my dear," Nellie moaned, wringing her hands with worry. "I'm all right, Nellie. He didn't hurt me."

  Four guards entered on Nellie's heels. "Escort Dwight MacDougal from MacGregor land." She faced her uncle. "Never shall you be welcomed here again, Uncle. If you should ever return, you shall pronounce your own death sentence."

  "You've no right to banish me, Kolyn MacGregor."

  "I have every right." She stepped closer, looked him straight in the eye. "I shall never forgive you this shame you have cast upon me.'' "I'll see you dead before another can have you." Kolyn turned to the guards and ordered, "Take him away." She went to the window. Silently, she watched Dwight as the group of men rode out of the courtyard. Would she ever see him again? She prayed she would not.

  Her hand slid down to feel her belly, the roundness quite apparent now. How could she not have known she was with child? She felt the fool. Everyone else seemed to know, even Dwight. Obviously, it was something she needn't try and hide. A sad sigh escaped her lips, and she wondered what she would do now. At least Dwight would no longer be a threat. But she still had to deal with her mad brother. She had never felt so alone in all her life. Alone and frightened.

  Kolyn walked along the garden path, Andrew's tiny hand cradled in her own. The last two weeks had passed in a numbed haze, her only delight her daily visit with Andrew. Yet each visit ended with agony as she had to leave him behind in Father McCloud's care. When they neared the door to the church, she lifted him into her arms.

  "Can I go home with you, Mommy?" Her heart broke as she looked into his dark eyes filled with hope. Hope she knew she must dash. "Not yet, lad. You will have to stay a while longer with Father McCloud." "How much longer?"

  A child's innocence made him question her, but it was an adult dread that filled her heart. "I don't know, Andrew. You know it won't be longer than necessary. I miss you."

  "I miss you too." Andrew kissed her, then hugged her tight. Tears blurred her vision. "I love you, son. I'll be back as soon as I can to see you." "Aye," he mumbled, tears filling his eyes. "Be brave for Mommy." Kolyn couldn't bear to see him cry, and he did his best for her. "Go on in. Father McCloud is waiting for you."

  Kolyn watched her son run inside, and had to force herself from calling him back. Her life was stalled, nothing happening, nothing resolved. For the last three weeks she had merely existed, feeling nothing. It was as if she were awaiting something. What, she didn't know.

  Only one thing seemed certain she knew she needed to keep Andrew safe with Father McCloud. She wanted him with her, to ease the loneliness she felt. But it wasn't the time. She turned away and started for home. Absently, Kolyn made her way through the narrow streets, her mind dwelling on her sadness, not her surroundings. It wasn't until her instincts pushed their way forward that she became aware of the feeling that someone followed her.

  It was strong and undeniable. She glanced around, trying not to panic, trying not to let on she suspected. She saw no one. She heard nothing. Feeling silly, Kolyn ignored the sensation inside her and walked on. Yet it persisted, even when she shut the door behind her, safe within the manor. She decided it was just her imagination and went about her day's work, but the feeling never went away.

  "What is going on here?" Kolyn ask Jacob as he exited her father's chambers. "Your brother has moved from the tower, my lady." "Is Emmett inside then?" "Yes, my lady." She entered her father's room. "You have ignored me of late, dear sister." "Have I?" Kolyn feigned ignorance, but the truth was she had not been able to face him since their last encounter.

  He seemed to have forgotten the ugliness of it. "Yes, and I'm quite hurt by it. But I'll forgive you if you come sit with me a while." She moved to the side of his bed . . . her father's bed. "Are you comfortable in Father's rooms?" "Yes, quite. You don't mind do you?" He seemed to want something from her. "Not at all." It all seemed so polite, so civilized. She wanted to scream. She wanted to slap him across his smiling face.

  Emmett watched her closely, but Kolyn allowed nothing to show on her face. "After the accident Father hid me away in the tower room. He was ashamed of me." "No, he wasn't, Emmett." "Yes." His voice was raised. "He was. You see, I became a cripple. An invalid. He couldn't bear that. It would have been better if I had died honorably. Like a man. Like my other brothers did. He was so proud of them. But me . . ."

  Kolyn felt her patience waning. "You were a stubborn, willful boy who couldn't control his temper. But that doesn't mean he was ashamed of you." Emmett only laughed. "You are so innocent. Always willing to believe the best. Good, sweet little Kolyn. Everyone loves Kolyn." Kolyn wanted to change the subject. His mood was dangerous. "Do you want me to read to you, Emmett?"

  "No," he snapped. "You never told me why you banished our dear uncle. What did he do to deserve that?"

  She looked at her feet, unwilling, unable to look at Emmett's smiling face. "You knew how he felt, didn't you?"

  "Whatever are you talking about?" "You promised me to him. For what? What did he promise to do for you in turn for me?" "Kill the Black Wolf."

  Kolyn looked up and met his gaze. "It wasn't his right to kill the Black Wolf. You shouldn't have asked him."

  "Why? Because the right to vengeance is yours? As the MacGregor, the honor of the clan rests in your hands? Is that what you think? And what of me? What right do I have as the eldest son and heir, the rightful chief of the clan?"

  "I would give anything for Father to have acknowledged you as the MacGregor, but he didn't." "Aye," he sneered, bitterness strong in his voice. "He didn't." She turned away, sickened by the sight of his hate. "I've not finished with you." She stepped toward the door. She was finished with him.

  "What do you intend to do about your promise to Father? From what I've determined, you've done nothing but sleep with your enemy. Now you are with child by the very man you're supposed to kill. That wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I suggested yo
u spread your legs for him, sister." "I don't suppose it was exactly what I intended either, brother."

  He chuckled, obviously enjoying her misery. "Was there a touch of self-pity in that comment?" he asked. "I know how you hate self-pity." Kolyn turned back to Emmett. "What is it you want from me?" "What I want hasn't changed. I want you to kill the bastard." "I don't know how," she whispered.

  "Find a way." His voice was steel, ungiving, much like his expression. "Find a way, or I'll have to kill his son. Then, if that's not enough to make me feel good, I'll kill the bastard you're carrying inside you."

  Tears came to her eyes. Her heart pounded strongly in her ears. "You're my brother . . . how can you speak of such things?" His laughter resounded against the walls, mocking her, taunting her. "Ian Blackstone killed your brother! What you see here is but a shell. Only hatred keeps me living." Kolyn looked at Emmett. He was right. Her brother was dead. In his stead lay a madman whose cruelty she feared.

  She said nothing more. Her silence made him laugh again. Wicked and sinister, it struck the very soul of her being. His laughter waned. "Kill the Black Wolf, or you will suffer."

  The truth of what he said washed over her in waves of emotion. Sickened, she ran, his shouts trailing after her to her own rooms. Even when she slammed her heavy door shut, she heard him, her mind echoing his threats over and over. She covered her ears, yet the sound of his voice persisted. "No," she screamed. "No."