by Katy Baker
And Logan did.
It was a dark, moonless night and Dun Ringill was far behind them. Logan strode purposefully, Camdan on one side, Finlay on the other. He glanced at his brothers. Camdan wore a fixed, determined expression but Finlay was pale, unable to hide his fear. The three of them wore full warrior garb and were heavily armed. His father's sword felt heavy where it was strapped across Logan’s back.
Shapes suddenly appeared out of the darkness and they halted, looking around warily. The weathered stones of Druach reared out of the earth like jagged teeth, framed against the ocean beyond.
Camdan frowned. "There's nobody here. What now?"
"Patience, brother," Logan murmured.
He heard movement and spun, drawing his father’s sword.
"There isnae need for such things," said a voice from the darkness. "I am not yer enemy."
A man stepped out of the shadows. He was short, barely reaching Logan's chest and seemed old beyond years. His face was a nest of wrinkles and his liver-spotted pate held only a few wisps of silver hair. But his eyes...they were as black as onyx and glowed with power.
Camdan stepped forward, his sword clasped in his fist. "Who are ye? Name yerself!"
The old man smiled. "Oh, I think ye know who I am. Put yer toys away." He waved a hand and suddenly the pommel of Logan's sword grew scolding hot. With a curse, the brothers dropped their weapons into the dirt.
"That's better," said the man. "I canna abide the touch of iron. Now, shall we begin?"
Logan frowned. "Ye know why we are here?"
"Of course. Humans only come to the stones of Druach for one reason: to bargain. I know what ye would ask of me. Ye wish for me to save yer people."
"Aye," Logan replied. "That is the boon we seek. We were told ye could grant such things—for a price."
The man smiled and the sight of it sent a shiver down Logan's spine. It was a predator’s smile. “Aye, I can grant such things. But I canna save yer people." He held up a finger for silence as Logan began to protest. "But I can give ye three the power to save them." He fixed them with his black stare. "For one night I will give ye the strength of the Fae. With it, none will be able to stand against ye."
Logan looked at his brothers. Camdan was watching the old man as you would watch a snake. Finlay’s pale gaze was fixed on Logan.
"We must, brother,” he said. “We agreed, remember? It’s our duty to protect the clan. Ye know what will happen when the raiders arrive. There can be no victory against such an enemy. They will slaughter the men and rape the women. Clan MacAuley will be no more. What are our lives against that?"
Logan bowed his head. Finlay had always been the most sensible of them all.
"Aye," Logan replied. "But it's not yer responsibility. It's mine. I’m the laird. The responsibility falls to me." He looked at the old man. "Take my life. I give it freely but spare my brothers. I beg of ye."
Finlay and Camdan yelled in protest but the old man was already shaking his head. "Such a payment isnae enough. For this boon the price is three lives. The lives of the greatest of the MacAuley clan. Do ye accept this bargain?"
Logan looked first at Camdan and then at Finlay.
"Aye," Logan breathed. "We accept yer bargain."
The old man's smile widened. "Then come forward and seal it."
Warily the three brothers stepped close to the stones. The old man hobbled into the center of the circle and spread his hands wide. The temperature dropped suddenly and goose bumps rode up Logan's skin, his breath misting in the air. The old man spoke in a language Logan didn't recognize.
The stones began to hum with power and small flames suddenly burst to life in a circle around them as though hundreds of tiny candles had been lit. In the sudden light Logan saw that the stones were carved with a swirling design of interlocked spirals and, as Logan watched, they began to move, writhing against each other like the coils of a snake.
Logan forced down his unease. The Fae looked at each of the brothers in turn, his eyes shining with a dark malice.
"The terms have been set," he said. "In exchange for the power to defeat yer enemies ye will give me yer lives. Do ye agree?"
"We agree," they chimed in unison.
"Then set yer hands on the stone and seal our bargain.”
Logan steeled himself, swallowing down the awful foreboding that filled him, and pressed his palm against the swirling design on the stone. The man stepped forward and pressed something against his chest. At once, a blinding pain exploded inside him, forcing him to his knees. For a moment it rampaged through him so strongly he couldn't see or hear and he was sure he was going to die.
But after a moment the agony passed and when he looked he saw that the design from the stones was now tattooed across his chest, marking him like a brand.
He forced himself to his feet. He felt light, full of a strange energy. His brothers met his eye and he saw they were similarly branded, Camdan on his left arm, Finlay down his back.
"It is done!" the Fae cried, clapping his hands together in glee. "Ye carry within ye the power of the Fae but it will last for one night only. Ye must hurry to complete yer task before the sun rises."
Logan nodded. "Aye. Let’s be on our way. We have much to do before we die."
The Fae's grin widened. "Die? What are ye talking about? Ye aren't going to die."
Logan frowned at the creature. "We traded our lives for this power."
"Aye, ye did. Yer lives belong to me. Mine to do with as I will. But did I ever mention dying? Nay, that isnae our bargain at all." The man stalked closer, seeming to flow over the ground like smoke. He looked up at Logan and his dark eyes flashed with malice. "I choose to let ye live. But ye will be cursed. Ye will become shadow-people, living a half-life on the edges of the world. Ye will never know love. Ye will never know peace. All who stay close to ye will die. This is the price ye have agreed to pay."
Fury filled Logan as the Fae's words sank in. The Fae were tricksters, not to be trusted. Hadn't he been told such things since he was a child?
“Why would ye do such a thing?” he growled.
The Fae’s grin widened and suddenly there was nothing human about this creature at all. “Because it pleases me.”
Logan jolted back to the present. He had no idea how long he’d been standing in the water but his legs had gone numb with cold. With a grunt, he waded clumsily onto the beach.
How could he have been so stupid? Did he really think he could escape his bargain with the Fae? No mortal could. What a fool he’d been. His curse had taken Anna. It was a warning. Thea would be next.
He knew what he had to do. He should have done it from the start.
Sick with guilt, Logan walked back to the house. There was a faint smudge of light along the eastern horizon and Logan realized he'd been gone most of the night. As he stumbled into the yard, he saw Thea pacing outside the cottage. She whirled at the sound of his footsteps.
"Where have you been?" she cried. "I was so worried!"
She threw her arms around him and pressed herself close, ignoring his wet clothes. Logan took her by the shoulders and gently pushed her away from him.
"My apologies, lass," he muttered, not meeting her gaze. "I needed to think. How is Anna?"
"No change. Rhodry and Ailsa haven't left her side all night."
Logan nodded. "We must go, lass. Come, I'll fetch Stepper."
"We can’t leave now,” Thea replied. “Not until we know Anna is going to be okay."
Logan gritted his teeth. She had that stubborn set to her jaw again. He wanted to shout at her that it wasn't safe to stay here. He wanted to take her by the shoulders and shake her until she understood how dangerous being near him was. Instead he searched for a convincing lie.
"Ye need sleep, lass," he said in as reasonable a voice as he could manage. "And something to eat. There is naught more we can do here. Leave Anna to Rhodry and Ailsa. We'll return later to check on her."
Thea hesitated, glancing ba
ck at the house and biting her lip. Then she nodded. "Okay, I'll let them know we'll be back later."
She hurried into the house as Logan fetched Stepper from the stable. His stomach churned with guilt. How easy it had been to lie to her. The lies rolled off his tongue like venom. Lord help him, what kind of man had he become?
Thea reappeared, they mounted Stepper, and he nudged the horse into motion, leaving Rhodry and Ailsa's croft behind.
Chapter 13
Thea was so exhausted she soon found herself dozing in the saddle, leaning against Logan's hard chest. He hadn't spoken a word since they'd left Rhodry and Ailsa's croft and Thea didn't have the energy to make conversation. Instead, she found herself drifting in and out of sleep. The horse lurched and she jolted awake suddenly.
"Naught to worry about, lass," Logan said. "A grouse startled Stepper."
Thea blinked the last of the sleep from her eyes and looked around. She didn't recognize the landscape they were traveling through. They were walking down a wide, paved road into a shallow valley. A settlement filled most of the valley, a hotch-potch of small thatched houses and larger two-story ones. People were walking along the streets of the settlement, more people than Thea had seen since she arrived in this time. Her eyes widened, taking it all in, and then her eyes widened further as she spied the building that stood at the road’s terminus.
It was a castle.
Dominating the settlement, the castle crouched at the valley mouth like some great gray beast: high walls, towers and crenelated battlements. Even from this distance she could see figures patrolling the walls.
"Where are we?" she demanded. "What is going on?"
"This is Dun Ringill," Logan murmured by her ear. "The seat of Clan MacAuley."
"But...but..." Thea shook her head, trying to gather her thoughts. The sun was high in the sky, indicating they'd been traveling for several hours. "Why are we here?"
She looked over her shoulder and saw dark shadows under his eyes. His gaze was troubled.
"Ye must trust me, Thea."
Before she could say another word, he kicked Stepper into a trot, forcing her to grab the saddle and concentrate on keeping her seat. They rode down the hill and soon entered the settlement.
It was large enough to be called a town and Thea gazed around in astonishment as they rode through the streets of hard-packed earth. Stalls lined the road selling all kinds of goods. Thea saw leather work, bolts of cloth, and woven baskets cheek by jowl with pens full of goats and chickens. The streets were so busy that Logan was forced to slow Stepper to a walk. The noise and busyness after the quiet of Logan's croft was a little overwhelming. Everywhere she looked people were busy bartering, arguing or gossiping on street corners and everyone was dressed in the same plaid design as Logan’s.
These people were Clan MacAuley, she realized. Logan's people. Yet not one of them recognized him. Their eyes slid over him and away again, not seeming to see him at all.
Thea’s stomach clenched. Why had Logan brought her here? Trust me, he’d said. Thea tried. But she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled on her like a dark cloak.
***
Logan guided Stepper along the street and then up the road that led to the castle. The gates stood open and a steady stream of people were passing through. Most of them, Logan noted, were warriors bearing weapons. There were more guards on the gate than usual and everyone was halted at the gates and questioned before they were allowed through into the bailey. Logan slowed Stepper and waited with ill grace until they reached the front of the line. Five guards, all heavily armed, blocked his way. He didn't recognize any of them.
"State yer name and purpose," one commanded.
"Logan MacAuley," he replied. "I have an audience with the laird and I doubt he'd appreciate being kept waiting. The password is Megan."
Megan had been the name of the laird's mother. Only a select few knew the password and it would ensure they were taken straight through into the castle without having to wait in line with everyone else.
"Aye, go on then. Archie will escort ye." The guard nodded and a runner, a boy of around thirteen years hurried over.
The guards moved aside and Logan heeled Stepper through into the bailey. A deluge of memories assailed him as he entered. It had been three years since he'd ridden out of this very bailey, but it felt like a lifetime ago. The stable block had been expanded and now filled the whole of the far wall and it was dirtier than when he'd been laird, the cobbles unswept and a pile of broken barrels stacked against a wall.
Logan swung out of the saddle and then held out a hand to help Thea down. She ignored his proffered hand and dismounted on the other side, away from him.
"Are you going to tell me what the hell we are doing here?" she demanded.
Logan glanced around. "Not here," he muttered. "I'll explain once we’re inside."
A stable lad led Stepper away and the runner bobbed his head. "If ye follow me, I’ll take ye to the waiting room.”
Logan nodded. "Aye, lad. My thanks."
He indicated for Thea to precede him and she did so grumbling under her breath, following the runner up the wide steps and into the castle. They passed the door to the Great Hall and Logan glanced inside. When he'd been laird the place had often rung to the sound of music and merriment but now it echoed with the sound of snoring. Hundreds of warriors were billeted there, rolled in their cloaks on the flagstone floor.
Logan frowned. No doubt they were new recruits or mercenaries that his cousin had hired for his upcoming campaign against the MacKinnon but this didn't excuse their lack of discipline. What self-respecting warrior would be abed at this hour? The sun had long since risen so they ought to be up and training or patrolling the castle. Why was his cousin tolerating such tardiness?
He and Thea followed the runner up a set of winding steps to the floor above, which was traditionally set aside for clan business. Up here the surroundings were more sumptuous, with a thick carpet covering the floor and bright tapestries on the walls. The runner led them to a small room with an inner door.
“The laird is currently engaged. If ye wait here, he will see ye presently.”
Logan inclined his head and the young lad left. Logan steeled himself for the tirade he knew was coming.
***
The moment the door closed Thea whirled on Logan. "Right," she said, jabbing a finger at him. "You have some explaining to do."
Logan glanced at her and away again. Instead of answering he moved to the window and leaned on the sill, looking down into the courtyard below. His shoulders were hunched, belying his tension. A sudden worm of unease slid down Thea's spine.
"Logan?"
He let out a long sigh, closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. He turned to face her.
"Ye canna stay with me anymore. I was a fool to think ye could. To my shame I’ve been lying to ye. I know where Irene MacAskill is, lass. She’s here in Dun Ringill."
Thea stared at him. "I beg your pardon?"
“Ye remember Gregor coming to see me yesterday? He told me that Irene had been seen here in the town. She works here as a healer sometimes.”
Thea shook her head. “I...I don’t understand,” she said. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”
“I should have,” he replied. “But I am a weak and selfish man. I thought to keep ye with me for one more night. And because of that my curse took Rhodry and Ailsa’s child.”
“Anna? What has she got to do with this?”
“Ye think it a coincidence that she was found injured on the very beach where I first met ye? There are nay such things as coincidences where the Fae are concerned. It was a warning, one I must heed.”
Thea pressed her hand to her temple where a headache was forming. “Hang on a minute, you think what happened to Anna was your fault? Are you serious? She had an accident that’s all!”
“Then how do ye account for her being found so far from home and unconscious?”
“I do
n’t know!” Thea said, throwing up her hands. “But there are a thousand other explanations without talking about curses and other superstitious crap!” She was shouting now but couldn’t help it. She was angry but also a little afraid. What would happen when they found Irene? She didn’t want to think about it.
He held out a pleading hand. "Dinna make this harder than it needs to be, lass."
"Harder than it needs to be? Are you kidding?" she exploded. "You bring me here without my knowledge, tell me you're going to send me home—after everything that’s happened between us—and you expect me to be okay with this? Are you out of your mind? Why, Logan?"
“What choice do I have?” he growled. “I willnae let Anna’s fate befall ye.”
“You cannot believe that was your fault!”
"Of course it is," he snapped. "Ye canna stay with me any longer, Thea. If ye do, it will cost yer life. I willnae allow that, do ye hear?" His eyes flashed with anger. "Ye will do as I say for once, woman."
Thea glared at him. Stupid, stubborn man! Who the hell did he think he was, deciding her fate for her? "And did you not think to discuss this with me before you brought me here?"
"Would ye have come with me if I had?"
Thea opened her mouth for an angry retort and then snapped it shut again. He was right. She wouldn't have agreed to come with him, not while Anna was so ill, but that didn't give him the right to...to....kidnap her!
"Your curse had nothing to do with what happened to Anna," she said, forcing her voice to sound calm, even though her insides roiled with emotion. "She is injured or ill, not cursed. Surely you can see that?"
"All I can see is that I've made a terrible mistake in thinking I could cheat my bargain. If Irene is here, we will find her and she will send ye home. If she isnae here, my cousin will give ye refuge."
"And if I refuse?"
"Ye have nay choice."
"Damn you, Logan!" she shouted, her hands balling into fists. "Take me back right now! I won't leave Anna and Ailsa and Rhodry like this!" I won't leave you, a voice whispered in her head. "And if you won’t take me, I'll make my own way back!”