“I’d like to go now.”
Eve paused in raising the bottle to her lips to look at her. “Why?”
“You said it was the one place that was vulnerable, didn’t you?” She smiled. “I should see it. I’ll go tell MacDuff to keep an eye on Cara while we’re gone. Why don’t you go wash your hands and face and meet me at the Land Rover in five minutes?”
Eve frowned as she gazed after Jane as she crossed the courtyard. That smile had been forced, and Jane was definitely not herself. It was just as well she’d have the opportunity to get Jane alone to probe a bit.
But it appeared they were not to be alone. Caleb was sitting in the driver’s seat of the Land Rover when she and Jane reached the road where it was parked.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” He smiled at Jane. “You should have gone with us yesterday. It would have saved us this trip.”
“I was busy.” Jane shook her head. “And we don’t need you, Caleb. Eve and I will do just fine on our own.”
“I’m sure you would.” He met Jane’s eyes. “But I assure you I won’t get in the way. Once we’re there, I’ll just sit in the car and keep an eye on you. I got a call from MacDuff the minute you left after telling him you were taking Eve back to the lake. He told me that since I was a total handicap on the dig, I might just as well make myself useful by acting as guard dog to make sure the two of you were safe.” He shrugged. “I told him that it was a pleasant place, and I’d be accommodating this time. Get in.”
Jane hesitated.
“Get in,” he said softly. “I won’t interfere.”
“That would be a first.” She got in the backseat. “Get in, Eve. I guess we’ll be accommodating, too. I should have known that MacDuff would bring in the Marines.”
“I appreciate the compliment,” Caleb said as he started the car. “But I don’t have the same philosophy. I’m of a more solitary nature.”
“I hadn’t noticed that,” Eve murmured. “Who knows? You may be changing, Caleb. There seems to be something in the air.”
* * *
“Here we are,” Caleb said as he brought the Land Rover to a stop. “I’ll stay here as I promised and commune with nature.”
“There’s a lot of nature to commune with,” Eve said as she got out of the car and started down the steep slope toward the lake. “What do you think, Jane? The beginning or the end?” She looked over her shoulder when Jane didn’t answer. “Jane?”
The same.
The mist.
The hills running down into the deep blue of the lake. The north shore that was completely obscured by the mist.
The mist.
I’ll see him running out of the mist and telling me he’d only been playing in the caves …
“Jane!”
Eve. She sounded concerned, Jane thought vaguely. She had to answer her. She shook her head to clear it. She couldn’t remember what Eve had asked her. Say something. Anything. “It’s as beautiful as you said.” She followed Eve down to the shore. “Do you know, when we were in the study with MacDuff looking at all those schematics, I didn’t even pay any attention to any landscape features. Did MacDuff mention it? Was this lake on the map?”
“I don’t remember.” Eve’s gaze was focused on Jane’s face. “What does it matter?”
“It doesn’t. I just wonder why I wasn’t aware that it was here. I thought maybe MacDuff had mentioned it, and I’d just forgotten.”
“You wouldn’t have forgotten it.”
“I might have. I might have been tired from the drive, and it just escaped me.”
“It’s no big thing. Why are you behaving like this?”
It was a big thing to Jane, but she was acting weird, and Eve had noticed.
Straighten out.
She smiled and looked back at the lake. “The beginning or the end? I guess it depends on what happens to you here. Or maybe it might not even happen here but it becomes a part of—” She stopped and turned toward the car. “I’ve seen enough. We can go back now.”
“No, we can’t,” Eve said quietly. “Not yet. Something is wrong, and it has something to do with this place. What is it?”
“Why should it have anything to do with this lake? I’ve never seen it before.”
“This conversation is so familiar. You said words like that a long time ago in the very same way,” Eve said gently. “Do you think I’d ever forget? You were seventeen, and you were trying to convince yourself that those dreams of Cira were just made up of scraps you’d read on the Internet or stumbled on somewhere. But they didn’t turn out that way, did they?”
“A temporary mental aberration.”
“That came back, Jane?”
Eve wasn’t going to give up. Jane still tried to distract her. “I just wanted to see the lake.”
“Why?”
She gave a deep sigh, then surrendered. “Because I saw it last night, and Cira was there on that north bank.”
She went still. “Another Cira dream?”
“Yes, I haven’t had one for years. I didn’t want this one.”
“But it happened.”
“Yes, I tried to tell myself it was MacDuff’s pressuring me about Cira and the treasure. We were at the castle she built all those centuries ago. I told myself it was the power of all that suggestion going on in my head.” Her eyes were stinging as she turned back to Eve. “I don’t want dreams or knowing about someone else’s life or how they’re hurting. I’ve been hurting enough myself lately. I want to live in the real world and deal with real problems. It’s the only way I can survive.”
“You do yourself an injustice, you’re very strong. You can take anything, do anything.” Eve took a step closer. “I’ve never known why Cira was woven into your life during those years, but I know the experience didn’t hurt you. I know that you only grew stronger and more compassionate. I was glad when the dreams stopped, but if they’re back, then you’ll accept them and make the best of it.” She smiled. “And, if you like, share them with someone you love. I’ll always be here for you.”
“I know you will.” She was filled with so much love that the words were unsteady. “You always have been.” She took a step forward and slipped her arms around Eve and held her close. “I should be saying that to you. I don’t say it enough.”
“Because it’s not necessary, we both know it’s there.” She hugged her once more, then pushed her away. “And we’re both getting all weepy and emotional.” She dropped down on the ground. “Sit down and talk it out. Like you did when you were a kid.” She grinned. “Though you never acted like you were a kid.” She waved at the mist-shrouded lake. “And this isn’t the front porch, and that isn’t our lake, but it will do. Right?”
“Right.” Jane sat down beside her and linked her arms around her knees. “And you thought the lake was a little weird, but I don’t believe it is. I think the mist is friendly. I think it must be full of love.”
“Why?”
She hesitated. “Because my dream was about Cira and her lover, Antonio, and her son, Marcus.” She stared out at the mist. “Cira loved her son so much, and he loved her. He must have been a very special little boy.”
“Yes. But then Cira was special, too. She created a world to suit herself.”
They were both silent, gazing at the mist for a long time.
Then Jane said quietly, “There’s another reason why I was trying to tell myself that the dream was all power of suggestion.”
“Why is that?”
“The dream was all about a child.”
“It reminded you of Cara?”
Jane turned and looked her in the eye. “Not Cara.”
Eve’s eyes widened. She opened her lips to speak, then closed them again. She drew a deep breath. “Oh, shit.”
Jane had to chuckle. “I suppose that’s an affirmation?”
“How did you know? Joe?”
“Not Joe. Do you think he’d ever tell me anything as important as that if you didn’t want him to?” She nodded at Caleb sitt
ing in the car. “You let it slip to him.”
“I did not,” she said indignantly. “How?”
“He was curious. He held your hands. He said some of the blood was being directed to another place. He found it interesting.”
“Nosy bastard.” Then she had to laugh. “I didn’t have a chance of keeping it to myself, did I?”
“If Caleb hadn’t been around, you might have. When he told me, I was stunned.”
“So was I.” She was silent. “You’re not angry or hurt I didn’t tell you?”
“No, I considered the source. The source is remarkably like me. You didn’t want to burden me any more than you had to. I don’t like it, but I understand. How far along are you?”
“Not even a month. I wouldn’t have even known about it except Joe authorized a complete physical and tests when I was in the hospital with that concussion.”
“And how do you feel about it?”
“I don’t know. Scared, happy, bewildered … euphoric. Every time I think about having this child, it changes.”
“But do you want it?” she persisted.
“Oh, yes,” Eve said softly. “That’s not even a question.” Her smile was luminous. “I want to have this baby. I’m already beginning to feel … a presence. It’s wonderful.” The smile faded. “What’s not wonderful is wondering if I’ll be able to keep it safe. Or if I’ll be so worried about trying to make sure nothing happens that I’ll smother the poor kid.”
“You’ll muddle through,” Jane said. “You did pretty well with me.”
“You raised yourself, I was just there for support.” She shook her head. “And I lost my Bonnie.”
“Through no fault of your own.” She reached over and touched Eve’s hand. “And I’ll be around to remind you of that the minute the baby makes an appearance.” She gave a relieved sigh. “Though I’m glad we have a little time to prepare ourselves. I need it.”
“I do, too. Another child after all these years…” She looked out at the lake. “Do you think this is a mistake, Jane?”
“Would you pay any attention to me if I said yes?”
“No. Well, I’d pay attention to you, but I’d seriously doubt your judgment.” She looked back at her. “I know all the drawbacks. I’m not sixteen as I was when I had Bonnie. I’ll have to be careful during the pregnancy. I have a career, and I’m set in my ways. You say I was a good mother, but I only remember my mistakes.”
“What mistakes? I only remember the love,” she said. “And, if there were mistakes, this isn’t one of them. I think sometimes you were a little worried that I’d feel cheated because you loved Bonnie so much.” She shook her head. “I understood. She was gone a long time before I came to you, but I could tell what she meant to you. She was the passion and tragedy of your life. I was your best friend. We were good together. But now you have a chance to bring someone else into your world.” She added unsteadily, “It’s going to be phenomenal, Eve. It will open doors. It will be different from me or Bonnie, but it will be like a new sunrise for you. And I’ll fight like hell for that sunrise to come to you.”
Eve was silent because she couldn’t speak. “I can tell you’re an artist. You’re painting very beautiful pictures.” She cleared her throat. “But that’s down the road, and we just need to get through the next months so that it will be only clear sailing.”
“I’ll second that.” Jane grinned and got to her feet. She reached down and offered a hand to Eve and pulled her to her feet. “And that means taking care of yourself while you’re on the run from Salazar. Maybe you shouldn’t be working on your knees in that courtyard.”
“Don’t start that,” Eve said. “You sound like Joe. Exercise is good for me. I’m strong as a horse. Do not start pampering me.”
“I’ll try to remember,” Jane said. “I’ll do my best to forget you’re pregnant and let you work yourself to the bone for the glory of MacDuff and Cira.” She started up the hill. “I’ll even refrain from telling MacDuff and Jock. I don’t believe Caleb will discuss it. He just thinks it’s interesting.”
“Good,” Eve said. “All I’d need is all those protective males giving me the same treatment as Joe is doing.”
“Yeah, you’re too tough for that.”
“I can but try.”
“And come off very effectively in that area.” She smiled. “Don’t be too tough, Eve. I owe you too much. Let me pay back a little.”
“I know. I know. You’ve already expressed your feelings on that score. I knew I didn’t have a chance of convincing you.” She waved at Caleb as he got out of the car to greet them. “Particularly not now. You invoked the mantra. Family, Jane. Family.”
GAELKAR CASTLE
Jane waited until after they’d eaten supper and all started to scatter before she followed MacDuff to his tent.
She poked her head through the entrance. “May I come in?”
MacDuff’s brows rose, and he gestured for her to enter. “By all means, step into my parlor. I’ve been trying to convince you for years that’s where you belonged.”
“You are not a spider, and I detest flies. I have no ambitions to be one. You could have at least personified me as a butterfly. They have artistic value.” She stepped inside. “I wanted to ask you a question.”
“In the privacy of my tent. I can hardly wait. Personal, I hope?”
“Only as far as it’s the present love of your life.” She gazed around the tent to the portable desk piled high with scrolled plans and loose papers. “Is there anything in that mess that has anything to do with the terrain of the countryside around the castle?”
His eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask?”
“Is there?”
“One. I didn’t regard it as important since we’re concentrating on the castle.”
“May I see it?”
“Why? You and Eve left the dig this afternoon to go traipsing back to the lake where Caleb took her yesterday. She was exploring the area to gauge the threat it posed to her and Cara. Were you doing the same thing?”
“I want to keep Eve safe.”
“That’s noncommittal. I think there’s more to it.” He smiled. “But I’ll accept it for the time being.” He turned and went to the desk and searched through the scrolled maps and plans until he found one with a thin blue border. He spread it on the desk and adjusted the lantern so that the light fell upon it. “It’s just a basic map of the area.”
That’s exactly what it was. But Jane would take what she could get. Her gaze went quickly over the trails and roads and hills and then up to the huge lake. It was strange gazing at those simple lines on paper when she remembered the dark blue water, the pale mist, the trees, the hills.
“You wanted to look at the lake again,” MacDuff murmured, gazing at her face. “It appears to have a fascination for you.”
“It is fascinating. I’d like to paint it sometime.” She didn’t take her gaze off the map. “I suppose you’ve seen it?”
“Of course. This isn’t the first time I’ve been to this castle. Everything about the place is absolutely riveting for me. I know every legend, every myth. It’s the place my clan originated, where we all began. I’m very passionate about it.”
Is it the beginning of the world, or the end?
“You hide it very well.”
“I’m a Scot.” He smiled. “And I’ve learned not to let my emotions rule me. I’m the Laird, and many people look to me. It’s a complicated world I live in, and I can’t let my guard down.” He paused. “But I’ve let my guard down with you, Jane. Because you’re one of mine. You belong to Cira and to me.”
“Bullshit.”
He chuckled. “I knew that would cause you to bristle.” He looked down at the map. “Is there anything you’d like to ask me? I may know a few things more than this map will tell you.”
“Because, after all, you are the Laird,” she said dryly.
“Exactly.”
She pointed to a line that appeared to wind from the ca
stle to the lake. “What is this?”
“It’s a dirt trail that leads down to the lake. I’m told as far as anyone knows that it’s been there since the castle was built. The road was only built by my orders about ten years ago. I thought it was time it was accessible.”
“Why?” She tilted her head. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of rebuilding this castle?”
“Anything is possible if I find that chest of coins.” He grinned. “After all, it’s mine.”
“So would be the entire world if you had your way.” She looked back at the map. “What about the lake itself. It’s very … unusual.”
“The mists?” He nodded. “For decades, we’ve had forestry and environmental experts from the universities wanting to come in and make their tests. They want to find out why those mists never disperse. Sunlight or storm, the mists remain. They have all their theories, but it’s frustrating them to hell that they can’t come here and get confirmation.”
“And you won’t let them do it?”
“I don’t want to know.” He gazed at her. “Do you?”
“It’s none of my concern.”
“Do you?” he repeated softly.
He would come running out of the mist and tell me he’d been playing in the caves.
“No.” She asked before he could reply, “In the past, haven’t any of your family gone on that north shore and explored beyond those mists?”
“No, it would take a full-scale expedition, those mists are very thick. You can’t see more than a few feet in front of you. My grandfather tried and fell and broke his leg when the bank gave way. He almost drowned before he got back to the south bank.”
“And no one else?”
“Ah, you are curious.” His finger traced the north curve of the lake. “As a matter of fact, one of those very pushy professors from Oxford sent a few of his prize students up here to get answers in hopes that I wouldn’t prosecute them. One of my caretakers, Ned Colin, saw the cars on the road and went after them.”
She had seen his “caretakers,” who were old Marine buddies, and she felt an instant of sympathy for those college kids. “He wasn’t afraid of getting lost in the mists?”
“Colin only went a few feet and shouted for them to come out. He said they seemed relieved to come stumbling toward him. He confiscated all equipment, cameras, and notes, and sent the kids on their way.”
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