Embrace the Highland Warrior

by Anita Clenney

  ***

  Tristol hovered outside the window, watching Malek pace the floor, his ear to the phone. “When I get back from Scotland, you’d better have Shay and the book,” Malek hissed. He stopped, his face convulsing, but he controlled the shift. “She’s with Cody MacBain! He’s the one. Get her away from him. If she’s Edward Rodgers’s daughter, she and the warrior can’t be allowed to breed.”

  Edward Rodgers? The shock of that name jerked Tristol upright from his hiding place. The woman who stole the book could be Edward’s daughter? Was this the real reason Malek wanted her? Did he know about the powerful emerald Edward Rodgers was supposed to possess? This shed new light on things, but he didn’t have time to investigate. The Dark One had summoned him again. It was getting tedious, continuing this thousand-year-old charade, when he needed to monitor his prisoner. Tristol found his lieutenant and issued new instructions. If this Shay woman was Edward’s daughter, she was more valuable than any stolen book.

  Chapter 5

  Shay woke to the smell of Cody and bacon. The bacon part she understood. The Cody part didn’t make sense. A suspicious dent was in the pillow next to hers. Had Cody slept there? She didn’t remember anything after that cup of tea he gave her. She sat up, and her head swam as if she had been drugged, or was it the dream of the glowing man again? No, this felt like drugs. Cody must have put something in her tea. She threw on her clothes, brushed her teeth, and stormed out of the room. He had put her in Ewan and Laura’s old bedroom, insisting she stay at his house where they could protect her. She found him in the kitchen with Faelan and Bree.

  “You bastard! So you’ve gone from handcuffing me to the bed to drugging me?”

  “You drugged her?” Bree asked.

  Faelan’s eyebrows rose. “You handcuffed her to the bed? Damnation. I wish I’d thought of that.”

  Bree pointed her finger at him. “Don’t even try it.”

  Cody scowled. “It was just valerian root. You needed rest.”

  “Rest? I was practically unconscious.”

  “Maybe Cody was afraid you would bite him again,” Faelan said to Shay. Bree elbowed him. “Sorry,” he said, grinning.

  Cody scooted past Shay. “We’re going out to check the woods again. I want to warn Old Elmer to be on the lookout.”

  Faelan gave Bree a lingering kiss. Cody looked at Shay’s mouth, licked his lips, but kept his distance. “Be back before long. Stay here.”

  Shay followed him to the door, itching to hit him… or something. “Why don’t you just tattoo that on your hand? Stay here.”

  “You look like you want to bite him again.” Bree grinned. “Or maybe you want to handcuff him to the bed.”

  Shay’s cell phone rang. She grabbed it, hoping it was Renee. It was Jamie. She hadn’t talked to him since he moved from Scotland to Virginia.

  “So what’s up with the table? Is it a consolation prize, or have you changed your mind?”

  “Table?”

  “I’ve got a table here with my name on it. It came from your shop in Leesburg.”

  “I didn’t send it.” Why would Renee send Jamie a table? “What kind of table?”

  “It has four legs, a top… it’s a table.”

  “Funny. Pretend you’re describing your knife collection.”

  “Hmmm, it’s round, dark wood, has these little drawers in the middle and doors on the sides. Funny designs on the edges.”

  The mate to the one in Scotland. The one Julie had canceled. Why would Renee send it to Jamie?

  “Keep it there. I’m coming to get it.” Jamie’s place in Luray wasn’t that far away.

  “You’re taking it back?” Jamie asked.

  “It might be a clue.”

  “To what?”

  “Someone broke into my shop in Scotland and destroyed the mate to that table. The shop in Leesburg was vandalized too, and last night someone broke in here.”

  “Your house?” Jamie asked, alarmed.

  “No. I’m in Virginia, at Aunt Nina’s.”

  “I’m coming to get you.”

  “No. I need to get away from the house for a while anyway. I’m bringing a friend with me.”

  “Who?” he demanded.

  “A woman.”

  “You trust her?”

  “I do.” She did. It was one of those instant connections, like with Lucy Bell and Renee. And Cody. They didn’t happen often, but when they did, it was strong.

  “If you’re not here in two hours, I’m coming after you.”

  “Cody’s going to kill you, you know,” Bree said, when Shay told her where she was headed. He and Faelan were out in the woods, trying to track whoever broke in.

  “I’m not sitting around like a prisoner. Anyway, it’s probably safer away from the scene of the crime.”

  Bree grabbed her purse. “I like the way you think. Let’s go get the table. Some fresh air and excitement will do me good. We’ll be back before the men know we’re gone. What about the cat?” It sat in the doorway, ears raised like antennae, eyes so green they seemed to glow.

  “I’ll put it outside. Maybe it’ll get bored and go home.”

  ***

  “Why are men so overbearing?” Shay asked as they drove.

  “They can’t help it,” Bree said. “I think they’re all born that way. My father would hardly let me out of his sight.”

  “Why?” Shay asked.

  “I think he got paranoid after my Aunt Layla died. She was only twenty-five. As if my father weren’t protective enough, I go and find Faelan buried in the family graveyard, and he’s even worse. When he gets too chivalrous, I remind him how many times I’ve rescued him.”

  “I bet that goes over well,” Shay said, thinking how fierce Faelan looked.

  “Like a ton of bricks. We fight as hard as we love. How can you not argue with a man who believes women should sit at home while men protect them? You should’ve seen his face when he found out Sorcha was a warrior. You haven’t met her yet. Picture Xena the warrior princess with red hair. And Anna. Actually Anna has the black hair and turquoise eyes. Drop dead gorgeous and tough as nails. Faelan doesn’t have a clue what to do with them. They didn’t have female warriors in his day.”

  “There are female warriors?”

  “I keep forgetting, all this is new to you. I’m sorry,” Bree said, catching Shay’s frown. “I know it bothers you that they hid your identity from you. That’s a bummer, growing up thinking you’re someone else, not knowing your real family. I’d be angry too, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the short time I’ve known these warriors, it’s that they’re as protective as grizzlies when it comes to family. It’s instilled in them in the womb, this need to protect, to guard, even strangers.” She rubbed her stomach again. “Did they tell you anything about your real parents?”

  “Only their names. Edward and Elizabeth Rodgers. I know everyone thought they were doing the right thing, but I can’t help feeling betrayed.”

  “Betrayal sucks,” Bree said, a shadow of pain clouding her eyes. “Don’t be too hard on Cody for hiding your identity. He was only doing his job. Did you know he was punished by the Council of Elders for telling you that your past was faked? Even though he didn’t tell you about the clan, he told you your real name, and that opened Pandora’s box.”

  “Punished? What did they do to him?”

  “I don’t know. I just overheard part of a conversation. The Council of Elders isn’t to be taken lightly. They’re like the supreme court of the clan.”

  “I had no idea.” Had he suffered because of her?

  “Will they punish him for telling me this time?”

  “I don’t know enough about the Council. Only acknowledged warriors can get near them. I hope Cody’s reputation will weigh in his favor. Since the seventeenth century, he and Faelan are the only warriors who’ve been assigned one of the demons of old. Everyone in the clan looks up to them.”

  Cody, her Cody, had done this?

  “I hope y
ou realize how lucky you are. Most women would kill to have a man look at them like Cody looks at you. He’s in love with you, you know?”

  Shay swallowed, feeling panic rising in her throat. In love?

  ***

  “I’d hate for Old Elmer to get caught in this mess,” Cody said to Faelan as the truck bumped along the dirt road leading to the old man’s cabin. There was an easy silence between the warriors. Faelan was the only one who understood the pressures of being assigned an ancient demon. Other than his own clan, most warriors treated him with awe or envy, neither of which he wanted. All he wanted was to do his job so he could keep his mind off Shay. That would never happen; he knew it now. No matter if she was in another country or in the next room, nothing would get her off his mind.

  Cody parked his truck, and he and Faelan got out. Old Elmer’s front porch ran the length of the cabin with a railing waist high. A solitary rocker sat by an old table that held a cup and a book. Old Elmer liked to read. He had no TV or electricity. The cabin had only rough plumbing and a woodstove for heat. The interior was little more than three rooms. Cody had only been inside once, a long time ago. He couldn’t remember what it looked like. Both the MacBains and Nina had offered Elmer a job, and when that didn’t work, they tried to install electricity, but he liked things the way they were. He did allow them to give him books or a batch of cookies. In turn, they noticed little repairs miraculously done. A squeaky door greased or loose barn plank nailed, and he had an eerie way of showing up when someone was in trouble, like some kind of guardian angel.

  “Looks quiet,” Faelan said as they climbed the steps. A walking stick stood by the door, but Old Elmer had several.

  “He’s probably hunting. He takes what he needs to survive with an old bow. If he’s not here, I’ll leave a note on the door.” Cody knocked. No answer. A prickle settled between his shoulder blades. He saw Faelan’s nose to the wind, eyes alert. “We’re being watched,” Cody said quietly.

  “Aye,” Faelan said. “I hope it’s an animal.”

  Cody searched the trees, sniffing the air. No demon, not in natural form, anyway, but they didn’t know for sure that Shay’s intruder was a demon. “Let’s get out of here.” He felt uneasy being away from Shay. How had he survived nine years without her, when he couldn’t go ten minutes without needing to see her face, even knowing she was angry enough to stab him. Cody left a note on Elmer’s door and started for his truck.

  Something white streaked through the trees. Cody and Faelan both whirled, pulling daggers from their boots. They both hit the catches, extending the blades into full swords. The sound of clanging metal echoed off the trees. Something moved off to the left. “I think it was just an owl,” Faelan said.

  “There’s one around here.”

  “A big white one?”

  Cody nodded and retracted his sword blade.

  “We have one in New York like that,” Faelan said. His cell phone rang. “It’s Ronan.” Faelan stuck his sword in the ground, leaning on it as he listened. “Bree and Shay? They’re at Cody’s, why? Damnation.” Faelan retracted his blade and motioned Cody toward the truck. “I remember what she did to Conall… you don’t have to remind me.”

  “What have they done?” Cody asked, shutting the door.

  “Ronan said they aren’t answering the phone.” Faelan hung up and dialed another number. “Where are you? Luray? Where the hell’s Luray?” He scowled. “Text me the address. Aye, I can text. Ronan showed me how. Are you doing this because we missed our honeymoon? I told you I was sorry you had to bail me out of jail, but if you don’t stop disobeying me, I’m going to start carrying handcuffs.”

  “Disobeying?” Bree was yelling so loud Cody didn’t need a warrior’s ears to hear. “I can’t believe you said that to me. I’m hanging up.”

  “Don’t—” Faelan glared at the phone. “Bloody woman. They’re on their way to someplace called Luray. Shay’s boyfriend has a table Renee sent him, just like the one that was destroyed in her shop. She thinks it could be a clue.”

  “Boyfriend? She said she didn’t have a boyfriend.”

  “Don’t growl at me. I’m just repeating what I heard. You’re paying for my bloody honeymoon when this is over.”

  ***

  Jamie’s house was a brick Victorian on several acres just outside town. It used to belong to his grandfather. Jamie spent a lot of time there. That’s where he’d met Marcas and Lachlan, on a camping trip nearby. They’d been friends ever since. He’d put a lot of work into the place. It was the picture of domestic tranquility. Shay touched the white porch swing and felt a twinge of regret.

  “The door’s open,” Bree said.

  “Jamie, we’re coming in.” The first thing they noticed was the overturned table. “Jamie?”

  “Oh no.” Bree hurried toward the living room, and Shay followed. Jamie lay face down on the floor.

  Shay knelt and checked his pulse. “He’s breathing. Jamie? Can you hear me? Help me turn him over.” He groaned as they rolled him. “There’s a phone in the kitchen. Call 911.” Shay cradled his head. He had a knot on his forehead and a large gash on his arm.

  “No hospital,” he said, voice uneven.

  “You need a doctor.”

  “No,” Jamie mumbled. “No doctor.”

  “He sounds like Faelan,” Bree said.

  “Where does it hurt?” Shay asked Jamie, but he closed his eyes again. She checked him over, hands prodding body parts she once touched in other ways. “I think his head and arms took the worst of it. Let’s get him to the couch. You get his feet.”

  Bree eyed Jamie’s six-foot, two-inch muscular frame and touched her stomach. “He looks heavy.”

  “He is,” Shay said, remembering exactly how heavy he was.

  Bree grabbed his feet while Shay put her hands under his shoulders and pulled. “Lord, what’s he made of?” Bree grunted.

  “I think we’re doing more damage than good,” Shay said. They were both panting, smeared with blood, and still hadn’t lifted him onto the couch.

  “I’ll get a washcloth,” Bree said.

  “There’s some in the hall closet, and get some ice from the kitchen.”

  Before Bree could leave, Jamie opened his eyes and groaned.

  “What happened?” Shay asked.

  He touched her face. “You’re safe. I was afraid you’d get here before they left. Who’s she?”

  “My friend, Bree. What happened to you?” Shay asked.

  “There were four of them.” He groaned and sat up. “Felt like twice that. Didn’t even hear them come in.”

  “Sit still,” Shay said. “You could have other injuries.”

  “I’m fine,” he said, flexing his arms. “Just banged up.”

  Shay looked at his wound. “Your cut doesn’t look nearly as bad as it did a minute ago.”

  “Uh… I need a bandage,” he said, grimacing as he quickly stood.

  “I’ll get it,” Bree offered.

  “No. You two check out the table,” Jamie said, holding his hand over the cut. “They seemed more interested in it than me.”

  “The table? Are you serious? You could’ve been killed,” Shay said.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I wash off this blood.” He walked toward the bathroom. Shay and Bree examined the table while they waited for him.

  “What is it with these tables?” Shay asked.

  “It’s pretty,” Bree said, touching the top.

  “But not that valuable. It’s only 1890s… Bree, are you okay?”

  “That’s better,” Jamie said, entering the room. He had washed off the blood, put on a clean shirt, and bandaged his arm.

  “You scared the heck out of me.” Shay wrapped her arms around his waist, and he pulled her close, dropping a kiss on her head.

  “What the hell?” said a voice from the doorway.

  Shay and Jamie turned. Cody stood just inside the door, his face drained of color. A flush of anger crept up his neck. “Jamie Waters? He�
�s your boyfriend?”

  Shay stepped away from Jamie. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

  Cody stormed across the room. “You know the rules. Does the clan know about this?”

  “The clan?” Shay asked. “Jamie knows about your clan?”

  “You didn’t tell her, did you? You bastard!” Cody threw the first punch. It hit Jamie’s chin, and he staggered.

  “Stop it! He’s hurt,” Shay yelled.

  Jamie returned the swing, catching Cody in the jaw.

  Shay jumped between them, and they both drew up short, glaring at each other over her head. “What’s going on?”

  “Ask your boyfriend about his talisman.”

  “Talisman?” She looked at Jamie. Guilt was written on his face. Her gaze fell to the necklace he never took off, not even in bed. He’d said it was a family heirloom. It resembled Cody’s. And Marcas’s. And Lachlan’s. “No,” she whispered.

  “I’m sorry, Shay,” Jamie said. “I didn’t intend—”

  “You’re one of them?” She backed away until she hit something solid. Strong hands gripped her shoulders. Shay turned, her eyes level with Faelan’s necklace—talisman—outlined beneath his shirt.

  “You’re bleeding. Where’s Bree?” He followed Shay’s gaze to where Bree stood by the overturned table, bloody hands extended over it, a blank look in her eyes, while Cody and Jamie hurled insults like knives.

  “Be quiet,” Faelan told them. He hurried to her side. “She’s having a vision.”

  Bree ran her hands down the front of the table, reached underneath, and a drawer popped out. A piece of paper lay inside.

  “I didn’t know it did that,” Shay said.

  Bree snapped out of her vision as Faelan reached for the paper. “The Book of Battles.” His voice was grainy, like it was made of sand. “It’s the last page from the Book of Battles.”

  “What’s a Book of Battles?” Shay asked, alarmed at the stricken looks on the faces around her, even Jamie’s. She was the outsider again.

  “You think the book was in there?” Jamie asked.

  “You’re the one with the table. Why don’t you tell us?” Cody said.