by Patty Taylor
Chapter 24
Kalista chattered, nudging Beth with her nose. A flaming arrow headed straight for them. Beth gasped and clutched the screeching dragon against her chest. Their bodies reeled back against the damp stone wall. Flickering flames leapt from a torch dangling in midair, lighting the granite alcove.
“Darby!” Beth squealed, tears running down her face. Her mouth gaped open, her hands flew to the sides of her face from the shock and excitement of seeing her best friend appear out of nowhere. She rambled with questions. “By the Goddess, please tell me I’m not dreaming. Is it really you, or am I imagining things? Where have you been? You’ve had me worried sick about you.”
Kalista fussed, fluttering her wings and landing in Darby’s outstretched palm. The whimsical character smiled. His chubby cheeks beamed, matching his carrot-orange hair as he petted the dragon’s head. “Aye, lass, ’tis I in the flesh. I’ve been with ye all the time, safe and sound while hangin’ around our wee friend’s here neck.”
Beth wrapped her arms around his waist and picked him off the ground. She hugged him to her chest, afraid to let go in case he vanished again. “Darby, you certainly have a lot of explaining to do. Why in heaven’s name would you hide from me? I should be furious with you, you know. Do you realize how much anguish you put me through? I didn’t know if you were safe or lying hurt somewhere.”
Darby held out his arm so Kalista wouldn’t be crushed. He chuckled and patted Beth’s shoulder with his free hand. “I’ve missed ye, too. I’ll try to answer all yer questions, lass, but I’m afraid ye’re squeezin’ the breath from me. The wolf in ye certainly has given ye the gift of strength, lass.”
Beth lowered him to the ground. She squatted and leaned back. Her legs buckled beneath her backside. Rubbing her hand up and down her arm, she studied Kalista’s broken treasure. “How did you ever manage to get yourself stuck inside a globe that tiny and survive all this time?”
Darby set Kalista on top of his shoulder before digging inside his coat pocket and pulling out his hawthorn pipe. He grinned and stuck it in the corner of his mouth. After tucking the strong-scented tobacco inside the gnarled pipe’s bowl, he gave it one last tap with his stubby finger.
“I see you haven’t changed a bit, Darby.” Beth wiped the trickling tears from her cheeks and giggled. She leaned over to kiss his cheek.
The whimsical character blushed and winked at her.
“Och, lass. Ye have no idea what ’twas like to go all that time without lightin’ up me pipe inside those wee quarters.” Foggy ringlets of smoke curled above his head. The ivy vines growing out of his hair wrapped around his pointed ears and sprouted new leaves. He cradled the pipe in his hand, settling down beside her. “’Twas a grand visit indeed. Even though there were no humans to worry about, I couldna have stayed confined in there for verra much longer. I’m afraid the quaint livin’ arrangements make a perfect spot for me wee fairy friends, far more than for someone my size. I must remember to make a point of thankin’ them soon.”
“There’s not much time left, Darby. I’ve been cursed. But you already know that.” Like being drenched from a pitcher of cold ale spilling over brand new clothes, the warmth and happiness of their reunion was replaced with shivers running up her spine and an overwhelming sadness.
Darby frowned. Kalista glided from Darby’s shoulder and landed in Beth’s lap.
Beth gripped the gem dangling on the necklace that Darby had given her. The dragon nestled its head on her other hand. “I think you’ve known all along what was going to happen. That’s why you gave me this. I should have guessed from the look on your face when you came back inside the cottage that night that something terrible was about to occur. Darby, why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you warn me?”
Darby turned his attention away from her, got to his feet, and hobbled a few steps away from her. The wind carried the tiny autumn leaves scattered across the ground from the broken globe. They floated in the air like feathers and drifted to his hand. He sniffled and glanced at the powder-puff clouds rolling over their heads and shoved the colorful foliage inside a torn pocket in his worn, shabby coat. Without meeting her stare, he let out a long sigh before he spoke again. His face now troubled and his voice filled with emotion. “Aye, lass, I knew. I wanted to tell you, but I couldna say anything. Ye have no idea how hard it was for me not to grab yer hand and whisk ye back to the future in Thurmont, where I knew ye’d be safe. ’Tis why I gave ye the necklace to help protect ye from harm.”
Beth stared at him in silence. She didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. His words sliced at her heart like a dagger plunged in her back. Like a hurt pup, she whimpered. The fear and frustration building up in her the past few weeks was turning to anger like a festering boil ready to burst. She scarcely recognized the chuckle escaping her lips as she ripped the necklace from around her neck and threw it at Darby. “Really, Darby, you must be kidding me. Forgive me if I don’t agree with you. I don’t call being cursed and turning into a hideous creature along with losing my mind protecting me from harm! You were my best friend. I would’ve done anything in the world to protect you!”
Kalista wailed and leapt in the air, clutching the gem in her mouth. She flew off with it.
“Ye dinna understand, lass. I was forbidden to help ye.” Darby turned to face her, tears trickling down his rosy cheeks. “I put ye at risk as ’twas by given ye that necklace after I was warned not to interfere.”
Beth glanced over his head, staring in the distance. Her heart racing, her body trembled. She raked her fingers through her hair, shook her head, and sighed.
Darby took hold of her hand, the guilt written across his pale face. Jerking her hand away from him, she rolled the sleeve up her arm, exposing the bite mark and shoved her wrist in front of him. Hurt feelings mixed with anger raged through her. Tight knots twisted in her stomach. A sudden wave of nausea made her dizzy, making her lose balance.
She grabbed Darby’s shoulder for support, bit her lip, and tried to concentrate.
Darby grasped her arm and helped steady her. His bushy eyebrows arched as his eyes filled with concern. “Are ye all right, lass? Maybe ye best sit down.”
“I’m fine, just tired. I think all this excitement has been overwhelming, and it’s finally catching up to me.” She smiled down at him, feeling guilty for the way she’d yelled at him “By the Goddess, please forgive me, Darby. I’m so sorry if I hurt you. I feel like I’m losing control of my mind. Several good men have already lost their lives because of me, and now I lost the only man I ever loved in my life. I don’t want to lose you, too.”
Darby cradled an acorn-shaped vial from his pocket filled with one of his special elixirs and handed it to her. “Dinna fret, lass. Ye’ve been through more than enough. I should be the one askin’ for yer forgiveness, me friend. Here, drink this. This tonic is strong and will help settle yer nerves. ’Tis the same potion I gave to yer sister Keara to make her feel better. Make sure ye get the last drop.”
She smiled at the sound of Keara’s name. If only her younger sister were here now for even a brief moment so Beth could see her one more time. Beth twisted the tiny shell lid from the fancy container and took a whiff of the sweet lilac-scented solution. She hesitated, then hastily swiveled it closed and handed it back to him. “Thanks, Darby, but I can’t afford to be passed out for the night. There’s not much time left, and we have to find Quinn. Besides, who threatened you? Did someone hurt you because of me?”
Darby tucked the vial back inside his coat. His face clouded with uneasiness. He studied her face and grasped her hands. He hesitated before he spoke. “I’m afraid I canna tell ye that. I know I havena given ye much reason to trust me since I disappeared on ye the way I did, but I’m askin’ ye to trust me now. I promise I will explain everything later, just as soon as it’s safe. I just hope ye still have a wee bit of fondness l
eft in yer heart for me.”
“Darby. You should know by now that you’ll always be special to me and hold a place in my heart. You had me worried sick. I thought something had happened to you. Besides, how many other women can say their best friend is part-Brownie and part-fairy and lived inside a tiny magical water globe to keep an eye on her?” Beth yawned and covered her mouth with her hand. Exhaustion was setting in, making her limbs grow weak. “I just need a few minutes rest. Then we’ll be on our way.”
The stunning calls from the whales filled the air. Like a lullaby, their songs helped her unwind as their enchanting music sang to the still night. The swirling lights from the Aurora Borealis danced their magic through the sky.
Beth knelt to the ground, placing her weary head in her hands.
Darby scratched his chin. “I still think what ye need right now is a good rest before we start traipsin’ out in the middle of the night when we dinna know where we’re at. I promise ye, lass, I’ll do everythin’ in me power to help ye find yer beloved Highlander Quinn.”
Darby’s face grew blurry through her tear-filled eyes. Used to having her tiny companion faithfully by her side, out of habit, Beth reached down for Kalista to cuddle her. Her hand grasped at air. The dragon was gone. Beth’s heart jumped in her chest, as she suddenly remembered she had frightened the mystical creature with her sudden outburst at Darby. Beth bolted to her feet. “Darby, we have to find Kalista.”
Darby patted her arm. “Shush now, lass, and don’t ye be frettin’ none. Kalista will be back before ye know it. More than likely, our wee dragon friend went lookin’ for yer Quinn.”
Beth prayed to the Goddess and whispered loud enough, hoping that her enchanting companion would hear, “Kalista, Please come back.”
Darby stepped away, grabbed his gnarled pipe from his pocket, and stuffed tobacco inside the barrel. Sticking the pipe in his mouth, he paced back and forth. “Kalista must come back. That necklace she flew off with is holdin’ the secret gem. That wee gem holds the clue in gettin’ ye closer to yer cure.”
A bright fireball plummeted through the sky and headed right for them. Thunder rumbled overhead, and the ground shook.
“Bloody Hell. ’Tis all we need right now,” he cursed, and shot a quick glance at the sky. Darby shuffled his feet and shoved Beth up against the stony cavern wall. He snatched out a handful of something orange from inside his coat and blew a puff of powder in her face.
She raised her hand and wiggled her nose, trying to keep from sneezing. The pigment of her skin began to fade and changed into the earth tones of the cavern walls, like a chameleon changing colors to match its surrounding environment. Within seconds, her body had blended with the alcove. Her thoughts running wild, she expected any second to turn into a stone gargoyle. “By the Goddess, Darby, what have you done now? Please tell me what’s going on.”
“Dinna worry, lass. The powder willna hurt ye, just make ye invisible for a wee bit. Ye must promise me, whatever ye do, ye canna move or speak. They mustna know ye’re here, or else ye may never see old Darby again.”
Chapter 25
The braided lasso turned into linked chains lined with traces of silver, toxic to Quinn.
“Don’t try to resist, Highlander. You cannot escape. These chains have stricken your powers, making you unable to shift.” A troll frowned at him and tugged on the links, making Quinn fall on his face. “You’ll get used to them soon enough. I warn you, don’t get any ideas and try anything foolish. Now get up, unless you wish to be dragged the rest of the way.”
Quinn struggled and pushed himself up with his arms. He glared at the foul-smelling creature. Quinn’s words spit sarcastically at the amused little bastard, “Ye seem to forget something, me wee friend. I wonder how Brianna will react once she learns how ye treated her intended spouse. I would think ye might lose favor in her eyes. I canna wait to see what she has in store for ye.”
The troll snarled and showed his stained, pointy teeth. His three companions frowned and scuffed their feet on the ground, wringing their dirt-stained hands. Their bushy eyebrows arched, and their faces grew grim as they mumbled between themselves.
“Yer friends seem to agree. Maybe those four fools have better sense than ye.” Quinn smirked, watching the troll as he scurried in front of the others and slapped them across their faces.
“Stop acting scared and get a hold of yourselves. Can you not see the shapeshifter is only trying to trick us?” The troll scowled, his bloodshot eyes narrowed as he stared at them. “We were given strict orders to take him to the sacred waterfalls. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t want to face Brianna if we come back empty-handed.”
The four creatures raised their hands, protecting their faces from any more strikes from the head troll. Snarling, they stepped back and mumbled between themselves. They scratched their heads and peered around the head troll to study Quinn. They finally nodded in unison, their bare feet scuffling through the sand, and picked up the end of the chains.
A growl rumbled deep in Quinn’s chest. Time was slipping away. He must somehow get out of these blasted restraints and find Beth. He still felt the strong bond he shared with his love, but it was growing faint. The silver poison oozing slowly through his veins was weakening his keen senses. He could still feel Kalista’s connection and detected the dragon’s presence close by. He leaned his head back and howled. The chains jangled as the four trolls released their grip and scurried off.
Quinn laughed. A fresh surge of energy boosted his spirits.
The head troll raised his arm and lunged at Quinn. He clenched his fist and clouted Quinn in the face several times. With one last wallop, the troll knocked Quinn’s upper-torso, making him fall facedown in the gritty sand.
“Get up, human.” The troll spit at the ground. “I don’t need their help. I can manage this task by myself. I’ll just have to use another means to help get you there.”
Quinn shook his head as the gritty sand packed on the side of his face crumbled down his neck and chest. “I promise ye, troll, I’ll see to it that I repay your ugly malice.”
“You do not frighten me, shifter. Brianna is headstrong and wise. She always gets what she wants. I can only hope my mistress comes to her senses and sees what a foolish choice she has made.” The troll strolled over to the ocean and knelt. With the help of the moonlight, his beady eyes searched the foamy watery fingers groping at the sandy beach for lost treasures. The troll smiled, poked his hand in the water, and retrieved a glowing conch shell. He held it to his ear and listened before slipping the coned tip in his mouth.
Like a whistle from a flute, a high-pitched squeal broke the night silence. This could not be good. Something warned Quinn to brace himself. A foreboding suspicion sent chills racing down his spine.
An alluring, yet haunting melodic song from a majestic male whale echoed close by. A pod of seals surfaced on the beach and gathered themselves, forming a circle around Quinn’s body. They bobbed their heads, barking boisterously.
“Away with you, foul creatures,” the troll shouted and waved his arms, trying to break their circle and drive the seals back to the sea. “Aye, you know what’s coming. You cannot help your friend now. You are no match for the beast awakened from the deep.”
Like an underwater volcano getting ready to explode, a frothy burst of bubbles gushed from the sea.
“Mo creach, ye have summoned the bloody Kraken. Are ye that daft, troll? It will destroy us all.” With his knees on the ground and his legs tucked behind him, Quinn straightened his shoulders and attempted to stand.
Like a tree sprouting from the ground, several gangling tentacles with crab like claws emerged from the waves and clambered toward the clouds. Quinn caught sight of the merciless monster he had only heard tales about. The slimy eyelids that were covered with barnacles and seaweed sprung open, exposing gl
assy black eyes the size of hefty dinner plates. The sinister eyeballs rolled from side to side and to the back of its head until they stopped and fixed their attention on the beach.
Two of the heftier bull seals broke from the circle and waddled toward Quinn. They gripped the chains in their mouth and began gnawing at them.
The troll searched the ground until he spotted a piece of driftwood. He stooped and grabbed the club, raised it over his head, and headed for the ring of disgruntled seals.
“Ye filthy, bloody bastard. I warn ye, troll. Do not harm these gentle creatures, or you will live to regret this day.” Quinn wiggled and struggled against his restraints. Slivers of silver pierced his arms and embedded deep inside his skin. Like a dagger stabbing his chest, sharp pains tore through his limbs. He screamed out in pain as his body shook with uncontrollable spams.
Like a tug of war, the two seals gripped the chains in their mouths and jerked their heads back. Quinn tried to focus as the stocky pair attempted to break the links. Another set of spotted seals wiggled toward the troll. With their flabby flippers, they slapped the driftwood from his hand, sending it flying across the beach and landing in the water. The troll squealed in fear as one of the gentle creatures plopped its beefy backside on top of his scrawny frame and pinned him beneath its blubbery body.
“If ye want to see the human witch again, shifter, then make this bloody beast get off me,” the troll threatened. “The Kraken will destroy every living creature if any harm comes to me.”