by Donna Grant
“We need to have a plan.”
Val narrowed his gaze on Gabriel. Tell me, are you really Gabriel? Has the evil somehow gotten to you that you will do whatever it takes to stop me?”
Since he was itching for a fight, he was glad when Gabriel dropped his arms and stepped toward him.
“All right, ye two blasted idiots, the barmaid said. Canna ye see what’s happening to ye? The evil has managed to come between ye. If ye think ye can save Nicole, then ye have to band together again.”
Val glanced down at the woman and knew she was right, but he still wanted to hear from Gabriel that he was the same man he was before they had come to Scotland.
Instead, Gabriel brushed past him and stood at the cave entrance.
“He has my bow, Gabriel said after a moment.
Val cursed. We can’t do this without Aimery.”
“Then it’s a good thing Nicole called for me when she did, said a voice from behind them.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Val had never been so happy to see Aimery before. You know what has happened?”
Aimery nodded. Here’s another bow, he said as he held out the weapon to Gabriel and then smiled at the barmaid.
“My thanks, Gabriel said as he took the bow.
“You’re going to have a tough time of it, Aimery said. The entire village has surrounded Nicole.”
“Which means innocents will die.”
Val grunted. They aren’t innocents. They chose the path of evil.”
“True, Gabriel agreed.
“Rules have been broken, Aimery said softly. Because of this, the Fae army is here just in case you cannot kill the Gryphon. The balance of power has been shifting for some time now.”
“How did the Fae not realize this?”
Aimery sighed. It was done by tiny increments that never caught our notice. And now it may be too late. Theron has taken Rufina somewhere safe to protect her and her unborn child. The Fae realm is on alert as well.”
“How I wish the other Shields were here, Gabriel said.
Val silently agreed. What do they plan on doing to Nicole?”
“Burn her, the barmaid said.
Val could wait no longer. He spun on his heel and grabbed his halberd. There were little effects from the wine still left in him, and by the time he reached the village, it would be purged from his system.
“Val, Aimery said. Do not blame yourself.”
He looked at the Fae. I gave in to temptation.”
“Nay. You thought you were drinking water. That isn’t the same thing. It was a trick.”
“None of that matters if Nicole dies, Val reminded him and headed from the cave.
Aimery watched Val exit the cave and turned to Gabriel and the woman beside him. You don’t seem too concerned that I just appeared in the cave, he said to her.
She shrugged and smiled. I’ve seen more than I would have liked to living in the village. I’m just glad to know the Fae are involved.”
He waited until she followed Val out of the cave before he turned to Gabriel. What bothers you?”
Gabriel shrugged. I can’t explain it. Something feels … off.”
“It’s the evil in the air.”
“It’s more than that, Gabriel argued. He appeared to me as you, and I couldn’t tell the difference.”
Aimery sighed. If the magic is strong enough, anyone can be convinced, Gabriel. Do not blame yourself.”
The Shield’s silver eyes blazed. Aren’t you the least bit concerned about the fact that he didn’t kill me?”
Aimery was highly concerned, but he wasn’t about to tell Gabriel that. Nay, he lied. Apparently, the evil has plans for you and Val, least ways, both of you would have been killed days ago.”
But Gabriel knew it was more than that. Val had been in the cave where evil was prohibited to go. He had been alone and the evil right before him. The evil should have killed him, not knocked him unconscious.
The more Gabriel learned of this evil, the more he feared it was somehow connected to his past. Whether he had been on the side of good or evil was still in question, and he hoped he discovered the truth before anyone else did. * * * *
Nicole focused on the mountains in the distance as her hands and feet were tied to the wooden stakes. Most of the villagers held torches in their hands as they waited for the time when they could light the bundles of wood that surrounded her.
She thought of her beautiful loch and the waters that had always calmed and soothed her. It had been a majestic place to see every day despite Margda’s cruel hand and the viciousness of the villagers. She was going to miss the loch and the mountains. Though she might not have been born of this realm, she had come to love her home.
“Time to die, someone whispered in her ear as he finished tying the rope that bound her wrist.
The rope cut painfully into her skin, but it was going to be nothing compared to being burned alive.
Death stared her in the face and there was no escaping it. She just wished she had been able to tell Val she loved him when she’d had the chance.
His gentle touch, passionate kisses and erotic claiming of her body and soul would last for many lifetimes to come. He had touched her as no other person could. She would have liked to have known what their future could have been had they met in another time and place.
She berated herself for leaving the cave. She should never have been tricked, and she couldn’t help but worry over Val. She hadn’t found a wound, but that didn’t mean the evil hadn’t gotten to him some other way.
And where was Gabriel? Had the evil gotten to him as well? It was the only explanation she could come up with for them leaving her alone.
She had hoped when she called to Aimery that he had heard her this time, but apparently she had done even that wrong. At least if he was there, he could see to Val and Gabriel. Nothing could be done for her now. The evil had indeed won, and all because she had left the cave.
“Forgive me, Val, she whispered into the cold wind that had sprung up.
Her eyes rose to the sky where she saw dark clouds rolling in. Any other time she would say it was a storm, but she knew it was the evil that approached. A dark spot in the sky drew her attention, but she didn’t have to look twice to know it was the Gryphon.
“The time has come, a man said and stepped before her. He all but spit on her before he turned to the villagers. For years we have protected and raised the evil behind me. Now, it is time for her to die. And with her death, prosperity for this village until the end of time!”
Nicole was amazed at the idiocy of the villagers. Did they really think she was the evil? Fear turned her blood to ice as she saw the people coming closer with the torches.
One woman pointed her gnarled finger at Nicole and scrunched up her old, haggard face. She must die!”
“Please, listen! Nicole shouted, but the villagers never heard her. They were yelling for her death and there would be no stopping them now.
The wind began to howl as it whipped about them. Nicole turned her head to the side as strands of her hair were pulled from her plait and stung her face. Her skirts bunched about her legs and the trees groaned in protest as they were slung from side to side.
And then just as suddenly as the wind appeared, it stopped. In the midst of the villagers facing Nicole stood a lone figure in a long, black hooded cloak that hid his face from view. She knew without having to be told it was the great evil, the man who had rescued her and brought her to this village only to bring about her death.
“Why? she asked him.
He moved toward her as if his feet never touched the ground, and his voice, when he spoke, was hollow and cold. Because with your death, not only will I have all the power I have always sought, but I can once more have my body.”
She peered into the dark hood, but saw nothing. It was like he didn’t have a face.
“I don’t, he said
. I am merely a spirit existing only because my magic is as great as it is.”
“Why didn’t you kill me as a baby? Why wait?”
“I had to, he said. The Fae had to see their power slipping from them, they have to know their mighty magic can do nothing to stop me.”
Nicole blinked back her tears. You will never win. The Shields and the Fae will win.”
“Not this time, my dear. After today, the Shields will never be the same, and without them, the Fae cannot win.”
Nicole shook her head. You have me, leave the Shields alone. They are no match for your power.”
“True, he said. However, they do have something that could very well alter the outcome if I hadn’t seen to it before hand.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I want you to know just how hopeless the situation is, Nicole, he whispered as he moved closer. No one will come for you. No one will save you.”
She looked away. I know.”
“Good. Then don’t fight your destiny.”
Nicole’s hands began to go numb as the cold penetrated her. Strangely though, her skin that was covered with the unique gown Aimery had given her was warm.
She leaned her head back against the thick wooden pool and closed her eyes. She thought of her loch during the spring and envisioned herself and Val swimming in the cool waters, then making slow, sweet love beneath the tall pines that lined the water’s edge.
A smile pulled at her lips as she recalled his light green eyes and the way they darkened just before he kissed her. She imagined running her fingers through his silky shoulder length light brown hair or over his bulging muscles.
The chanting of the villagers had grown louder and closer. Nicole didn’t have to open her eyes to know that they were about to set the bundles of wood afire.
“Val, she whispered as she heard the first crackling of limbs as they caught fire.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Val stopped in his tracks when he saw the crowd that surrounded Nicole. She was strapped to what looked like a large cross while the villagers moved closer to her with torches in their hands. He didn’t like the catch in his throat or the way his heart clenched painfully at seeing her so helpless.
All his fears of not being able to save her rushed to the surface. He tried to catch Nicole’s gaze, but she had her eyes closed. Val glanced to his left as Gabriel came up beside him.
“This isn’t good, he said.
Val gripped his halberd tighter. Nay.”
“All right, general. What do you want to do?”
“We have the element of surprise. Let’s use it to our full advantage.”
“Two against fifty, Gabriel murmured. Not good odds.”
“Recount, the barmaid said as she walked to the other side of Val.
Val smiled at her and the bow in her hands. Can you use that?”
She glanced at his halberd. Can you use that?”
He looked over at Gabriel who shrugged. Three is better than two.”
“All right, you loop around to the right behind the buildings. Gabriel, you go left. I’m going to head right down the center. Right now, I want to get Nicole free. I’ll need both of you to cover me.”
Both Gabriel and the barmaid nodded to him before they branched off. Val stared at Nicole, willing her to open her eyes and see him, to know that he had come for her.
With his halberd in both hands, Val began to creep toward the villagers. When he was a few strides from them, he whistled and got a man’s attention. As soon as the man turned, Val swung his halberd and knocked him in the jaw.
The villagers were chanting Nicole’s death too loudly to hear the man cry out as he fell unconscious to the ground. Val used that to his advantage and began to clear a path to Nicole. He was able to walk amid the villagers without anyone paying him much attention since they were focused on Nicole.
It wasn’t until he reached the front that he saw the cloaked figure standing in front of Nicole. Suddenly, the figure turned and he knew it was the evil.
The figure hissed and raised an arm toward him. The villagers grew quiet and turned to look at him. Val kept his gaze on the cloaked figure and waited. When nothing happened, he moved his eyes to Nicole to find her watching him.
“Now, the figure bellowed.
Before Val could move, men had thrown torches onto the bundles of wood at Nicole’s feet. He watched in horror as they caught fire. He tried to move towards her, but villagers began to pull at his arms.
With a hiss of frustration, Val swung his halberd and knocked the villagers away, but as soon as he was free, more attacked him. He heard a vicious whoosh by his ear and watched as a man fell to his knees, an arrow sticking from his throat.
Val never stopped fighting as he slowly moved toward Nicole. Every so often he would hear Gabriel and the barmaid release an arrow, but the villagers kept coming at him.
It was when he heard Nicole’s screams that he knew he was going to lose her. He glanced over at her to see the fire licking at her feet. It was like his sisters all over again, and he refused to allow that to happen yet again.
He threw back his head and bellowed his rage as he threw two men off him and raced toward Nicole. He jumped onto the platform and reached for her ropes.
“You came, she said through her tears.
“I gave you my word.”
His fingers fumbled with the knots and before he could release her, he was jerked backward, his halberd flying from his hands. He landed on his back with a bone jarring thud. Bright lights flashed before his eyes and he couldn’t catch his breath.
Val concentrated on taking a deep breath and was rewarded as air filled his lungs. He rolled onto his hands and knees, ignoring the pain that lanced through his back.
A loud thump jarred the ground, and Val raised his head to see the Gryphon standing before him. He glanced at Nicole over his shoulder and saw the resignation fill her beautiful violet eyes. Her long black tresses whipped about her face as the wind began to quicken.
“You should have stayed in your drunken stupor, the creature said as he walked toward Val.
Val turned back to the creature and climbed to his feet. Are you too afraid to face me without resorting to tricks?”
The Gryphon laughed and folded his wings against his great black body. Afraid of you? I think not.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a volley of arrows pierced him. The Gryphon reared back on his hind legs and pawed at the air as he roared in pain.
Val used the diversion to unsheathe his sword and watched in amazement as the Gryphon pulled out the arrows and tossed them to the ground. As Val looked on, the wounds inflicted by Gabriel and the barmaid rapidly healed.
He had expected this, but he had hoped that the creature would suffer longer. Val barely had time to spare Nicole a glance before the Gryphon charged him. He stood with feet apart, knees bent and his balance on the balls of his feet. He gripped his sword in his right hand and waited until the last possible moment before he dove to the side.
Val didn’t come away unscathed, though. The Gryphon’s talons had raked down Val’s legs, leaving three gaping wounds. He ignored his now throbbing leg and rolled to his feet to see the flames about to reach Nicole’s feet.
Fear wound its icy manacles around him and threatened to drag him down. He opened his mouth and took deep breaths, and then took a step toward her.
No sooner had he taken that step than something wrapped around his neck and squeezed painfully. Val clawed at the talon around him as his air was slowly and unmercifully cut off.
“How does it feel? the creature asked. Does it pain you to know that once again you will have failed the ones you love?”
Val closed his eyes against the Gryphon’s words, but not before he saw the stark terror in Nicole’s gaze. He knew he would die, he had just wanted to free Nicole before his time came.
He kicked back and connected with the Gr
yphon. The beast grunted and loosened his hold for just a moment. Val gulped in a tiny amount of air and opened his eyes to search out Gabriel. He managed to spot Gabriel in the chaos as the villagers ran about screaming. With the blackness beginning to encroach on his vision, Val knew he had precious little time in which to give Gabriel a signal. Val managed the barest of nods and prayed that Gabriel realized what it meant.
“I have no choice but to kill you, the Gryphon said in Val’s ear.
And then to his amazement, the Gryphon eased his grip again. There must have been good in you at one time, Val said through the pain in his throat. Find it again and help us.”
For a long moment there wasn’t an answer, and then the Gryphon said, I’m afraid that part of me is dead.”
As the Gryphon’s grip tightened once again, Val saw Gabriel notch three arrows and let them fly. The arrows hit the creature and he instantly released Val.
Val hit the ground and rolled. As he climbed to his feet, he reached for the dagger at the back of his waist. He looked over his shoulder to see the Gryphon already healed and his eyes trained on him.
With time of the essence, Val jumped over the roaring fire and embedded the dagger beside Nicole’s hand. He briefly met her gaze before he jumped down and raced for his halberd.
Nicole stared at the dagger protruding from the wood near her hand. She didn’t hesitate to loop the rope over the blade and began to saw through the ropes. Her heart thudded in fear, but not for herself-for Val.
She watched in awe as he sheathed his sword and reached for his halberd, and then proceeded to use it to knock away villagers that tried to attack him. The villagers were no match for Val, but the Gryphon that lurked behind them was.
It had taken everything she had not to call out to Val when the Gryphon had choked him. As strong as Val was and as gifted he was with weapons, none of that could compare to the Gryphon’s dark power.
She felt the rope around her wrist slacken, and she renewed her efforts to free herself. She tried not to pay attention to the ever approaching fire that licked at her feet, but the heat from the flames had the sweat running down her face and neck.