by Candace Sams
She slowly turned and quietly said, “I'd rather be anyplace else on Earth but with you right now."
Shocked to the core, he dropped his hand and stared at her for a long moment. “You've never said anything to me like that. Never. You're all I have, Cairna. My only family."
"I can remember a time when you smiled often. You were gentle and sat near the fire and told the children stories. You'd laugh and sing.” She stopped and stepped closer to him. “Papa once said you were the peacemaker of the family. He said that since you'd been born a middle child, you were the one destined to be the best negotiator, and he envied your ability to see all sides of an issue and compromise. Where has that man gone, Uncle? Please don't tell me he died at Exmoor, because I couldn't take that. I couldn't take losing anyone else I love."
He closed his eyes and bowed his head. The tightness in his throat made it difficult to speak. “I love you, Cairna. But I'm being ordered to ... to lie with an enemy and a complete stranger. What would you have me do? Her people have decimated ours. And if I could find a reason to smile again, don't you think I would? Do you really believe I want to live the rest of my life like this?"
"Of course I don't.” She grasped his hands. “But what bothers you most? Is it the fact that she's an outsider or an enemy?"
"There is no difference between the two,” he insisted.
"What if you're wrong? What if this woman is different?"
He shook his head in frustration. “If it was even possible to befriend this woman, we've destroyed that chance by kidnapping her."
"If we're very patient and give her the opportunity to see us at our best, maybe we can win her over. Use those powers of negotiation Papa bragged about. We have to give Shayla's plan a chance. It may be our very last option."
He wearily passed a hand over his face. “Cairna, this isn't something that can be negotiated. The woman has been brought here to lie with a Goblin and bear his child. My child. I can't see her ever being willing to do such a thing. And a child from such a union may not live any longer than the others."
"What if it does? What if you could get her to want to give you a baby and it lives? Wouldn't that make you happy?"
He sat upon a nearby rock and stared into the distance. “To hold my own healthy child? Watch it grow and love it? Yes, that would be worth living for."
"And what would the woman who could give you this child be worth?” she asked, sitting beside him.
"Anything. I'd give anything to have such a woman. It's just that ... I'd always imagined she'd be one of us."
"Would it matter who she was, if you loved her?"
"Love? Except where you're concerned, I don't think I'm capable of that emotion anymore. And I'm certain I could never love an outsider."
His niece didn't reply and he didn't want to see her disappointed expression. She was young and wanted to believe in happy endings. But his belief in happiness had come to a halt in Exmoor. He stared into the darkness and waited, sensing her hurt and confusion.
When he couldn't bear the silence any longer, he finally said, “What do you want me to do, girl?"
"Would you promise to try to keep an open mind? Please?"
"All right, Cairna. For your sake and for the sake our people, I'll try."
The sound of an approaching car alerted them. They hid at the edge of the woods until they were sure it was someone from the Shire. When Lore stepped from the vehicle and waved, they left the shelter of the trees and joined him. The drive back to their sacred land was a short distance, but it seemed the longest of his life. No one spoke and Tearach felt as though the weight of world was crushing him. Tomorrow, he and the woman he'd helped kidnap would meet. She'd hate him and he'd feel the same way. She'd probably scream, rant, rave and cry.
But he was a Goblin and the luxury of such outbursts was denied him. All he could do was follow Shayla's commands and the will of the Order. The last thing he and his people had was their pride. Now, even that would be gone.
Chapter Three
As Shayla had instructed, he arrived at the great hall of the castle in human form. He could hear voices on the other side of the library door. This is what a prized stud feels like as it's being led to breed. He wondered if the Sorceress would go so far as to send witnesses to watch the unholy event. Just like a Thoroughbred. Would there be papers to sign and a veterinarian present? To someone else, it would be laughable, but Tearach angrily shook his head and tried to unclench his fists. It was all so seedy and heartless. Especially when he'd have to reveal how vulnerable he was during the actual sex act. He'd be left with no dignity at all.
Bitterness engulfed him. Of course, he wouldn't be ordered to rut with the woman now. That would come later, when she was more acclimated to the situation. Perhaps the Sorceress would drug her to make the deed more palatable. He made a mental note to ask for the same drug. A double dose.
The doors opened and Shayla walked toward him. “Are you ready to meet Kathleen?"
"We have met. I was the one who held her while she was being sedated, remember? Why not save time and get the whole thing over with tonight, Sorceress? You and some of your Druid friends can even watch if you like. That way, you can make sure I've done my part.” Her eyes narrowed, and he realized he'd pushed her patience to the limit. But she could only kill him once, and that alternative was becoming more and more appealing.
"Step into the library,” she tersely commanded.
He walked through the double oak doors and she followed. As he turned to face her, the doors slammed shut behind her without being touched. The sound echoed through the room and shook the arched windows. He'd never seen her so angry. The knowledge that her fury was directed at him didn't matter anymore.
"You impudent, arrogant fool,” she bit out. “This is the last chance to save your people, and your niece told me you'd made her a promise to keep an open mind where the outsider is concerned. If you haven't the integrity to honor it, then leave and let the fates do with your race what they will."
"I'll honor my promise to Cairna. Now, take me to the woman and let's get on with this charade,” he ground out between clenched teeth.
"Very well,” she muttered. “Be assured your insolence will be dealt with. Come with me."
The library doors flew open with the same violence he'd witnessed earlier. Shayla walked through them and up the gray marble staircase. He mechanically followed. She stopped at one of the doors on the second floor.
"The woman inside this room has shown more reason and logic than you've a right to expect. But go in and make an ass of yourself, Tearach. You do it so very well.” The Sorceress stormed down the hall and yet another door slammed.
Eight years ago he'd never dreamed of behaving in such a manner, but now, there was nothing the Sorceress could say or do to threaten him. He squared his shoulders, turned the key in the lock and walked inside.
The woman stood by the fireplace. She wore a pale blue bathrobe. Her blond hair was loosely piled on top of her head, and an image of Venus entered his mind. She was tall, lean and moved toward him with the grace of a cat. The tightly belted robe revealed a small waist and high, full breasts. But it was the color of her eyes which captured him. They were the same unusual aqua shade he'd glimpsed during the kidnapping. In them, he saw wariness and curiosity. But no fear. For some strange reason, that intrigued him. He imagined she'd be cowering in a corner, begging to be set free.
Kathy would remember this moment for the rest of her life. Well over six feet, this man's long, straight hair had an unearthly, blue-black sheen to it. It fell in sheets across exceedingly well-developed shoulders and chest. Strands of the thick stuff fell over eyes so dark there seemed to be no pupils at all. Even his skin was dark, as if he spent time in a tanning salon. The line of his jaw was square and his full lips were set in a determined, straight line. His clothing seemed ordinary enough for someone who kept themselves outdoors. He wore a blue cambric shirt, half open and tucked into blue jeans. His footwear c
onsisted of some kind of leather moccasin. Probably the type that laced up to the knee.
But it wasn't his clothing that revealed the most about him. Her gaze went back to his face. Something about his eyes weren't quite right. The black irises were too large and covered more of the white part than normal. Unless this man was on some kind of drug, there was something wrong with them. She'd never seen anything quite like them and wouldn't have noticed under normal circumstances. But this godlike brute had kidnapped her. She wanted to remember everything she could.
"You're one of the men from the park.” She addressed him first, holding her head up higher as she did so. He wasn't going to get any satisfaction from watching her lose control. That's typically what a kidnapper wanted. To control his victim.
"Yes. Have you been told anything about why you've been brought here?"
She swallowed hard at the sound of his deep, masculine voice, which held a note of menace. But she'd been in tough situations before. “I've met someone named Shayla. She's spent most of the day trying to convince me that I can be more useful here than in London ... wherever here is. But she won't explain just what it is I'm supposed to do or why you people want me."
She spoke in a low, clear tone. There was nothing in her voice to indicate she was frightened. Tearach moved toward the open windows of the narrow room. A cool breeze blew the filmy curtains to one side. Normally, it would have been calming. In the small room it only set his nerves on edge. When he turned, the woman was right behind him. Her proximity was unexpected. A Goblin's senses were keener than most, and his seemed to have temporarily deserted him.
"Can you tell me what this is about?” she asked.
Damn you, Shayla Gallagher. He should have known the Sorceress would leave everything for him to explain. “I'm not sure how much I can reveal. But I can tell you that you won't be harmed."
She nodded. “I know that. If you'd wanted to hurt me, you'd have done it by now. I wouldn't have been given five-star meals, a beautiful room with a lovely garden view, or a pure silk robe to wear. Someone wants me to be very comfortable. And someone has excellent taste in wine. So, I know you don't want me dead. How am I doing so far?"
Tearach was absolutely floored. This woman was taking her abduction in perfect stride, and he found the fact greatly irritating. She should at least be crying or begging to be set free. To take some of the wind out of her sails, he resorted to being blunt. “You'd better sit down, Miss Parker. What I have to say isn't going to be easy to hear."
"So, you know my name. Care to share yours? Or should I just call you predator?” Kathy sat in the nearest chair. Whoever muscleman was, if he thought he was going to turn her into a helpless, blubbering victim, he had another think coming. Whatever his plans were, someone wanted her alive. Kathy saw his strange eyes narrow and wondered if she'd gone too far.
He walked slowly around the room. The Sorceress could have explained something to the woman. How was he supposed to tell her about the creatures in the woods outside, or that she was seeing him in an altered form? He decided the basics would be enough for this first meeting. “My name is Tearach Bruce. You're here to help us."
"I wish I could say it's a pleasure, but you'll understand if it isn't?” She smiled sarcastically and crossed her arms over her chest. “And who exactly is us and where is here?"
He sighed and ran a hand over his face. The little baggage had a temper, though she was controlling it. At the moment, his wasn't so manageable. Grudgingly, he had to give her credit for nerve. His promise to Cairna came to mind. He took a deep breath and tried to be tactful. “I can't tell you where you are. As to who we are ... You might say you're in the middle of a world of misfits, Miss Parker."
She nodded, stood up and looked him straight in the eyes. “You know someone's going to come looking for me, don't you?"
"Actually, I'm fairly sure they won't. You're new in London, your rent and utilities are paid by bank draft, and you currently work as a temporary secretary. You have no family or friends here. Your employer will replace you with someone else when you don't show up. In short, Miss Parker, no one is looking for you."
He had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes widen and her jaw slightly drop. Then he saw a nerve in her jaw pulse and pain darken her gaze. But it was quickly hidden and her mask of controlled anger slid back into place. He gave her points for composure.
"All right. Whoever you are, you've done your homework. Since you know all about me, you know I have no money or anything else of value.” She stalked to the windows and stared outside. “What could I possibly do to help you, and what incentive would I possibly have for doing so?"
"Perhaps the incentive to survive?"
She slowly turned and her gaze was icy. “There are worse things than not surviving, Mr. Bruce. You'll have to do better than that. And, as I've already pointed out, if you wanted me dead, I would be."
He knew there truly were worse things than death. What event had taught this haughty beauty that particular lesson? She wasn't hiding her emotions any longer. She was enraged and that made her dangerous. Looking into those glacial eyes, he truly believed the threat of harm wouldn't work on her. She simply wasn't wired that way. He tried another tack. “I'm not in a position to promise you anything. But if you cooperate, I can try to get you released from this room."
"What would my cooperation entail?"
"A promise to not try to escape. It isn't as if you'd get far at any rate. The forest surrounding this building is very large and well guarded."
She shook her head. “I'll run the first chance I get, and I'll fight anyone who tries to stop me."
"Why not lie and tell me otherwise?” he asked, intrigued by her honesty.
"My part in this little play requires that I try to escape. That's the way it works. You kidnap someone, and they try to get away.” She paused. “Now, I'm going to ask again. What on Earth could you want with me? I'm a secretary. I don't have access to national secrets, affairs of the royal household or the weather forecast. Why was I kidnapped?"
Herne, she was bold! As the minutes ticked by, he found himself impressed with her when he didn't want to be. It irked him no end. “In time, you'll understand everything."
He quickly turned to leave before she could say anything else he didn't want to hear. Something else that could actually make him admire her grit.
"What about your offer to let me out of this room?"
"What about your promise to try to escape?” He stopped when he reached the door, giving her time to relent. She stared at him, and he felt a measure of satisfaction when her gaze finally dropped.
"All right,” she sighed, “I won't try to run ... for now."
He didn't believe her for an instant. Kathleen didn't know that Shayla would let her out of the room sooner or later anyway. It was pure pride that made him want to hear her concede, and he was confused as to why it mattered. But it somehow did. “I'll come for you tomorrow evening. Shayla will see you have the proper clothing."
He walked out the door and locked it behind him. More guards would have to be posted. Kathleen Parker wasn't beyond using bed sheets or anything else she could find to get out of the castle.
* * * *
"I suppose it's too soon for her to see us as we really are,” Cairna said.
"That would be a reasonable supposition,” Tearach replied. “Everyone she sees will remain in human form until Shayla says otherwise.
"But what about those who can't alter their appearance?"
"That's Shayla's problem. She started this; she can see to the details.” Tearach shrugged into his leather jerkin. If he couldn't appear in Goblin form, he was going to make himself as comfortable as possible. In the Shire's sacred forests, the inhabitants had always worn leather clothing for protection and because it was tradition. No outsider was going to make him change that habit. Sooner or later, the invincible Miss Parker was going to get a good look at all of them the way the Goddess intended. Having to rearrange their no
cturnal customs for one woman was aggravating. Better to let her see what and who they were, but Shayla wanted to spare the poor woman's sensibilities. Hah! Kathleen Parker needed sparing the way a cat needed extra claws.
"Uncle Tearach, you'll try to act civilized, won't you? And do you really need that?” she asked, watching him slide his knife into one tall boot.
He stopped what he was doing and glared at her. “So I'm uncivilized now?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I just thought if you made a good impression..."
He was about to tell her he didn't give a flying bat's ass whether or not he made any kind of impression on Kathleen Parker. But he'd made a promise to try to keep an open mind. Right now, he was having a very difficult time understanding how to go about it and keep a semblance of pride. “I'll try not to kill anything with my teeth and eat it in front of her. Will that do?"
"I'm sorry, Uncle Tearach,” she whispered. “That was incredibly rude. I didn't mean it the way it came out."
Immediately sorry for his sarcasm, he sighed heavily and hugged her. “Why does my relationship with this woman mean so much to you, Cairna?"
She shrugged. “I just want things to work out, that's all."
He tilted her head up with one finger. “Sweetheart, when she finds out what we are, there'll never be any relationship."
"But you're supposed to..."
"I know what I'm supposed to do with her. Everyone keeps forgetting one small detail."
"What's that?” Cairna asked as she straightened his leather collar.
"No matter what anyone wants or orders anyone else to do, all the gods and goddesses of the forest can't make this woman bear a child she doesn't want."
He kissed Cairna's forehead and left the cottage.
The Sorceress was in for a rude awakening when this whole thing failed. Even if his mind was as open as the sky above, no one could control Kathleen Parker's. Why couldn't Shayla see that? He'd always attributed the Sorceress with extraordinary wisdom, had always insisted that his people honor her position and power. But his respect for Shayla was rapidly waning. The Sorceress’ actions even had his beloved niece questioning him. And that hurt.