by Donna Grant
When they finally stepped into the entrance, he let out a deep breath and wanted to sink to the ground.
“Not yet, she stopped him. I need to get you to the fire.”
Val turned his head and saw Gabriel’s still form just inside the entrance. Gabriel? he called, but, as he expected, his fellow Shield didn’t answer.
“He’s bad off, Val, she told him. I’ll get you settled and then come back for him.”
But Val knew by then it might be too late. As much as he hated to do it, he silently called out to Aimery. He wasn’t sure how strong his call was and tried to call out again just to be sure as Nicole helped lower him to his pallet. But he couldn’t keep the blackness from closing in on him, and his last thought before he passed out was that at least Nicole was safe. * * * *
Nicole breathed a sigh of relief and quickly added more limbs to the fire so she could boil the water. Their supply of wood wouldn’t last the night, but she didn’t know if she could chance leaving the cave again.
She put that worry out of her mind and rushed to Gabriel. His complexion was pale and his skin cool to the touch. It could be because he had lain in the snow for so long, but Nicole couldn’t chance it. She lifted his arms again and pulled him into the cave.
Her muscles screamed in protest, but the trail of blood he left from the entrance to the fire was enough to keep her moving.
She wasn’t able to get him to his pallet, so she moved the blankets to him. The first thing she did was pull out one of his daggers and slice open his tunic. Then she rolled him onto his side and cut both his jerkin and the tunic down the back. She was then able to remove both easily.
When she saw the extensive wounds on his chest and sides, she knew it would take a blessing to keep him alive. She got to her feet and dashed to Gabriel’s things to find his black bag of herbs. She took a quick look at Val and found his breathing erratic and slow.
She realized then that she could very well lose both men. Her mind scrambled to find a way to tend to both men. With a quick shake to clear her mind, she unrolled Gabriel’s black bag and stared at the herbsnone of which she recognized.
Vial after vial she picked up and examined, and there were only two of several dozen that she recognized. She sat back on her feet and blinked back her tears.
“What am I going to do? she whispered.
Time was of the essence, and she couldn’t afford to sit and wallow in self-doubt when two men’s life blood drained slowly from their beaten bodies.
She quickly yanked off more of her underskirt and hastily tied it around Gabriel’s torso to help staunch the flow of blood. Then, she jumped to her feet and brought a cup of water to Val.
“Drink, she whispered near his ear as she held his head and the cup to his lips. To her great delight he parted his lips and took some of the cool water.
Once he had his fill and she checked his wounds, she hurried back to Gabriel and his black bag. She looked at the vials again and wished she knew what to do.
A soft touch near her hand made her gaze jerk toward Gabriel where she found his eyes cracked open. He licked his lips and she brought him some water. He drank and then sighed with pain.
“How bad is it? he asked.
Nicole swallowed and licked her lips. Pretty bad.”
“I feel like Hell, so that explains it. He tried to take a deep breath and stiffened with pain. Where is Val?”
Nicole glanced at Val’s still form. Near the fire. When she returned her gaze to Gabriel, it was to find him watching her intently.
“Is he hurt?”
Nicole nodded her head. He’s unconscious now. I brought your bag, but I don’t recognize any of the herbs.”
“You wouldn’t, Val said softly. Did you call for Aimery?”
“Aimery? Nicole repeated. In all the excitement and worry she had completely forgotten about the Fae commander. Nay, I didn’t.”
Gabriel clenched his teeth and tried to roll to his side. I’ll call for him. Take the vial of red leaves and remove two of the leaves.”
Nicole hurried to do as Gabriel bade. Once she had replaced the vial, he was instructing her to gather other ingredients. When she had all that he had instructed her, she turned and waited.
“Put them all in the ? and grind them until they’re a fine powder. When you’ve done that, add two spoonfuls of boiling water and then sprinkle a pinch of the yellow powder in one of the vials. It will make a paste that you need to spread on Val’s wounds.”
“Yours as well, she said as she set about grinding the ingredients. When she looked up, Gabriel was gone. She jumped to her feet and raced to the cave entrance to see him limping down the mountain.
Her gaze scanned the sky, praying the Gryphon had retreated to whatever Hell he had come from. She was about to call out to Gabriel when she saw him stop and kneel down. When he stood, he had Laird in his arms.
Nicole turned on her heel and made a place for Gabriel to lay Laird when he returned. She picked up the ? and continued to grind the herbs as she waited. By the time she had added the water and the yellow powder, she began to worry about Gabriel.
A curse and some stumbling alerted her that Gabriel had made it back to the cave. She rose to her feet to try and help him, but he shook his head.
“Tend to Val.”
“I need to tend to you as well, she argued.
But he shook his head again. I will see to Laird while you tend to Val. Once that is done, I will look at my wounds.”
“You’ll bleed to death by then.”
His silver gaze narrowed on hers. If you allow Val to die, I will never forgive you.”
Nicole knew that arguing more wouldn’t help matters, so she knelt beside Val and closed her eyes. She thought long and hard about Aimery, then silently called his name.
She opened her eyes, expecting to see him standing before her. When he wasn’t, she began to think she had done something wrong and there was no more time to think about it. She touched Val’s skin and found it warm to her touch.
Her breath lodged in her throat as she cut away his bandage, tunic, and jerkin just as she had with Gabriel’s. The blood did not flow as easily as before, but neither had it stopped.
“If the wounds turn green, you must let me know.”
“Green? she repeated and glanced over her shoulder to see Gabriel tending Laird.
“Aye. It will mean there was dark magic used.”
“Great, Nicole murmured. Something else to worry about.”
Before she applied the paste, Nicole carefully wiped the dried blood from Val’s chest. With each wipe, she saw the scars that crisscrossed his chest and shoulders.
When the dried blood had been removed, she dipped her fingers into the yellowish paste and began to gently spread it over Val’s wounds. With the wounds on his chest and shoulders taken care of, Nicole moved so that she could roll Val to his side and clean up his back.
By the time she had finished and wrapped new bandages around him, she knew only a miracle could save him. His blood loss was great and his breathing shallow. But she refused to give up. She reached for some water and cradled his head in her arms.
“Val? You need to drink for me, she said and lifted the cup to his lips. This time, however, he didn’t drink.
She licked her dry lips and tried again. Drink, Val.”
Still nothing. She dipped her finger into the water and ran it over his lips, silently praying he took the liquid. Then she had an idea.
“Drink, soldier. That’s an order, she said in her most stern voice.
To her surprise Val’s lips parted and she was able to get some of the liquid down his throat.
“By all that is magical, what is going on? Aimery’s voice boomed around them.
Nicole raised her gaze to him after she slowly lowered Val’s head. What happened? she repeated as she climbed to her feet. The Gryphon happened.”
Aimery’s unusual blue eyes took i
n the scene around him. Why didn’t someone call me?”
“They were unconscious, Nicole answered, and I forgot.”
She watched as Gabriel slowly climbed to his feet with the aid of the wall. Blood had begun to soak the bandages she had applied and she took a step toward him when he raised his hand to stop her.
“Stay with Val, he said, his voice low and filled with pain.
“Quit being stubborn, Gabriel. Let me see to your wounds.”
His head jerked around to her. I ask only one thing from you … keep Val alive.”
Nicole turned to Aimery to see the Fae commander regarding Gabriel peculiarly.
“What happened? Aimery finally asked.
Nicole waited for Gabriel to speak, and when he didn’t she took a deep breath and began to tell Aimery about the Gryphon’s attack.
By the time she was done, Aimery rubbed his eyes and shook his head. One of you should have called to me, he said wearily.
Nicole looked at Aimery expectantly. Aren’t you going to heal them?”
His calm demeanor once more in place, he simply shook his head. The Fae cannot interfere.”
The last of her control snapped. Interfere? Wasn’t it the Fae who interfered and sent the Shields here to begin with? You supply them with weapons and clothes and coin when needed, but you cannot aid them when they are wounded.”
“That’s what I am for, Gabriel said weakly.
She turned to Gabriel. I suppose none of you thought about what would happen if you were injured or dead, did they?”
Gabriel chuckled, then clutched his side. It doesn’t matter now, Nicole.”
“It does, she said and went to him. She wrapped her arm around him to help him stand. I’m scared, Gabriel. I cannot keep Val alive on my own. If you don’t let me tend to you now, it may be too late.”
With a bone weary sigh, he said, All right.”
Nicole didn’t smile in triumph because she hadn’t won. All she had done was convince Gabriel to let her tend to his wounds, which were as bad or worse than Val’s.
But when she unwrapped the bandages, she got the surprise of her life. Gabriel’s wounds still bled, but they had begun to close up.
Chapter Sixteen
Nicole could only gape at the healing wounds. She raised her gaze to Gabriel to find him staring over her head at Aimery.
“Does this mean…?”
Aimery shrugged. I think it does.”
Nicole looked from one to the other. Mean what? What are you talking about?”
“Never mind, Gabriel said. Get the paste.”
Nicole felt as if she walked in a dream world were nothing was as it should be. She retrieved the paste and walked back to Gabriel. After she applied the paste and wrapped more bandages around him, she went back to Val.
She shivered and pulled an extra blanket over her legs. Now that most of her underskirt had been used for bandages, there wasn’t much protection on her legs from the cold besides her wool stockings. She felt Aimery’s gaze on her and lifted her eyes to him.
“Next time something like this happens, you need to call out to me, he said.
Why? So you can sit back and watch since you can’t interfere?
Aimery’s gaze narrowed, but before he could react, she said, Of course I will.”
It seemed to placate him because he turned to Gabriel. How is the pain?”
“Minimal, Gabriel said as he ran his hand down Laird’s coat.
“I’ll be back, Aimery said then was gone.
Nicole let out a sigh and turned to Gabriel. How is Laird?”
“I’m not sure.”
She saw the raw emotion in Gabriel’s silver eyes. If anyone can save him, it’s you.”
He gave her a weak smile and she turned back to Val. Sweat beaded his brow and chest. Nicole dipped a piece of her underskirt in water and wiped him down.
While Gabriel got better, Val got worse. * * * *
Aimery raked a hand down his face and paced his chamber at the palace. He could still feel Val and Gabriel’s pain. If only he wasn’t bound by the rules set in place ages ago. He could have healed both Gabriel and Val in a matter of moments.
Instead, he would have to wait and watch Val battle the blood loss and massive wounds. Thankfully, Gabriel was there with his herbs to help Nicole.
Gabriel.
To say that he was surprised to discover Gabriel was immortal would be putting it mildly. For years they had wondered about Gabriel’s mortality and had never known until now.
“Is it true? Theron asked as he poked his head around the door.
Aimery waved him in. It’s true.”
“And Gabriel was surprised?”
“More surprised than I was, I think, Aimery answered. He didn’t heal as fast as Cole does, but he is healing.”
“Interesting, Theron said.
Aimery nodded. Very.”
“But he still didn’t remember anything of his past?”
“If he did, he kept it to himself, but in all honesty, I still think his mind has closed off his past.”
Theron sighed. Something will trigger the memories eventually.”
“Let’s just hope it’s once we’ve finished the great evil.”
Theron and Aimery stared at each other.
“You don’t think… Aimery said, unable to finish.
Theron nodded and leaned against the wall. I most certainly do think the great evil knows about Gabriel.”
Aimery sank into a chair and dropped his head into his hands. With Val close to death, there is no one to watch Gabriel’s back.”
“Then send one of the other Shields. You know Hugh, Roderick or Cole would go in an instant.”
“True, Aimery said and raised his head. I’ll send one of the immediately.”
Theron put out a hand and stopped him. Are you going to tell Gabriel?”
“What? That the evil will target him and tell him things that might or might not be true? Aimery shook his head and blew out a breath. These men are more than just warriors to me. They are my family, and I would protect them with my life if I could.”
“But you can’t, Theron reminded him. Gabriel has long sought his answers. Maybe it’s time he receives them.”
“And if it’s something we aren’t expecting?”
Theron inhaled deeply and crossed his arms over his chest. Then we pray that the time he spent with the Shields will influence him.”
“That’s counting on a lot.”
“Its all we have, Theron said sadly.
It was all they had, but that didn’t mean Aimery couldn’t do something about it. He nodded to Theron then closed his eyes and thought of Stone Crest.
In an instant he stood in Hugh’s chamber. He cleared his throat when he spotted Hugh and Mina in a passionate kiss.
“Bloody hell, Aimery, Hugh said and stepped away from Mina to face him. You could at least knock.”
“My apologies, Aimery said as he nodded to first Hugh then Mina.
Mina laughed. No need. We know you only appear if it’s important.”
“A man shouldn’t have to worry about being interrupted in his own chamber, Hugh grumbled.
Aimery couldn’t help but smile. He watched the couple as Mina intertwined her hand with Hugh’s. It had pleased him immensely when Hugh and Mina had fallen in love.
“What brings you here? Hugh asked.
Aimery’s smile vanished. Gabriel.”
Hugh’s brow furrowed. I’ll get the others, he said and walked from the chamber.
“Is he all right? Mina asked.
“For now, but we’re not sure what tomorrow will bring.”
It was only moments later that Hugh returned with Roderick and Cole.
“What has happened? Cole asked.
Aimery walked to the narrow window and looked out over Stone Crest. The creature that Val and Gabriel battle is a Grypho
n.”
“Impossible, Roderick said. They are pure creatures.”
Aimery looked over his shoulder. Not this one.”
“And the blue stone? Hugh asked. Have they found it?”
“Nay, Aimery said and turned to face his men. The Gryphon isn’t ruled by the blue stone as the others have been.”
“By the gods, Cole said. The evil controls it.”
“Exactly. Val and Gabriel arrived in Scotland to find the Gryphon about to kill a young woman.”
“Is she … one of us? Mina asked softly.
Aimery nodded. She is, and they have kept her safe thus far.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Hugh asked. Send them here so we can end the evil.”
“I wish it were that simple. Aimery leaned back against the wall. The great evil has bonded Nicole to the land. I cannot shift her through time.”
Roderick raked a hand through his golden hair. The Gryphon is too powerful for Val and Gabriel, isn’t it?”
“Aye, Aimery answered. It attacked them today. Val hangs onto his life by a thin thread.”
“Why isn’t Gabriel healing him? Hugh demanded.
This is the part Aimery had dreaded. He couldn’t at first. His wounds were as extensive as Val’s. Nicole alone took care of both men. When Gabriel became conscious, he told her what herbs to mix to help heal Val.”
Cole sat in a vacant chair and leaned forward so that his elbows rested on his knees. And his own wounds? Did this Nicole not tend his?”
Aimery wasn’t fooled by Cole’s cool tone. He could feel Cole’s worry and fear for both Gabriel and Val. Gabriel refused at first. It wasn’t until she had finished with Val that he allowed her to tend to him.”
“What do you need of us? Roderick asked. I’m ready to leave right now. Obviously Val and Gabriel need us.”
“More than you realize, Aimery said. He looked at each Shield before he said, Gabriel discovered something of his past today.”
Cole was the first to realize what Aimery hinted at. He’s immortal.”