by Hazel Hunter
When they reached the stronghold, Cailean went directly to the dovecote to check for any messages, while Raen spoke to the sentries before escorting Diana to his rooms in the upper hall. Once inside he took a bottle from a cabinet, uncorked it, and poured some very dark liquid into two goblets.
“So we’re still partying,” she said drily as she accepted the cup and sat down to watch him pace around her. “Or is this a bon voyage drink?” His blank expression forced her to add, “Are the druids sending me home? You can tell me. I won’t say anything.”
“The conclave has ruled that you must return to your time,” he said. He drained his goblet and refilled it. “’Twas Bhaltair’s doing, Cailean said.” He met her gaze. “The laird told them he would think on it. ’Tis Lachlan’s way of refusing politely.”
“You know, I really like your laird.” She took a swallow from her cup, and the contents burned a hot, sweet path down her throat. “What is this stuff?”
“Bran’y, I think. Evander left it.” He turned the bottle in his hand. “I dinnae want you to leave.”
“But there will be problems if I stay,” she predicted.
“Aye.” He put the bottle and goblet on the mantle and sat down on the floor in front of her to stare into the flames. “I cannae understand it. They didnae demand this of Kinley.”
“That’s because she was brought here by the sacred grove. I just tripped and fell into your time.” Diana saw how tense his shoulders were, and began rubbing them. “I don’t want to cause trouble between the clan and the holy folks. If there’s no other way, I’ll go back. I’ll want some major lodge time with you first, but I will.”
“No,” he said simply. He caught her hands and held them as he looked up at her. “Promise me you willnae go.”
“It’s not up to me, but I’ll try.” Her heart felt like it was knotting and dissolving, all at once. “Maybe if we give them a good reason to keep me around, that will help. I was able to track down Lamont’s daughter easy enough. You don’t have cops here. When people go missing, what do you do?”
“We search, but when we find them they’re almost always…” He went still and his eyes shifted left and right before he looked up at her. “Diana, I ken how you can stay.”
Before she could answer the door opened and Neac peered in at them. “The laird and lady have returned, and they’re asking for you both.”
Diana went down to the great hall with Raen and the chieftain, where Lachlan and Kinley were being fussed over by Meg.
“I’ve plenty more in the kitchen,” the chatelaine told the men as she set out soup and bread for the pair. “Yer new gown is very fetching, milady. Will ye not wear it now and again, so we might recall ye’re a lass?”
Kinley, who looked like a goddess in her golden and blue velvet gown, grinned at the old woman.
“If it makes you happy, Meg, I’ll put it on every Sunday.” Her gaze shifted. “There you are, Lieutenant. Cailean was just telling us that you found an earl’s missing daughter and arranged her marriage, all in one day.”
“It’s still the job, Captain,” Diana told her, and smiled at Raen. “I had plenty of help from your cop.” She nodded to the laird. “Lamont says hey, and thanks.”
“We are in your debt, Diana.” Lachlan rose and bowed to her. “I fear we dinnae return with happy news. The conclave didnae rule in your favor.”
Neac glared at Cailean. “We might beat some sense into the magic folk. They’ll no’ put up much of a fight.”
“How often can they be rebirthed?” Tormod asked. “They’ve been doing it for so long now they might have worn out the magic womb.”
Cailean gave the Norseman a narrow look. “Our magic doesnae wear out, Master Liefson. Would you like me to prove it?”
“There will be no beatings or shows of magic,” Raen said flatly before he regarded the laird. “The lieutenant is the best tracker I have ever seen, my lord. With only a few clues she worked out how the lass got away, and then took us directly to her. ’Tis a talent sorely needed by the clan, especially now.”
That startled Diana. “Why, did someone else go missing?”
“Aye, our enemies,” the laird said. “It shames me that you would so generously serve the clan’s ally, when we have done naught but treat you as a prisoner.” He looked around at his men. “That ends now.”
“So you’ll treat me like clan?” The moment Diana asked that a lightbulb went off in her brain. “Or could you make me a member of the clan?”
Kinley uttered a cry of delight. “That’s it.” She turned to her husband. “If Diana is a McDonnel, then the druids have no say over what happens with her. Only you do. She’ll be like me. We can even form our own search and rescue team.” She turned to Cailean. “Am I right?”
The druid looked askance at Diana. “She is druid kind. Being made clan willnae change that. We dinnae have say over you, my lady, because you are the laird’s wife.”
“So the lass could wed a McDonnel, and become clan by marriage,” Neac said, and glared at Raen. “A bonnie prospect for any man.”
“Before anyone announces my engagement,” Diana said quickly, “why don’t we let the laird talk?”
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Lachlan said dryly. “Becoming a member of the clan is no’ simply taking our name as protection. You would be subject to my rule, and treated as any other McDonnel. We would use you as our tracker when we hunt the undead.”
“My lord, I think ’tis no’ wise to cross Master Flen,” Cailean put in.
The laird ignored him. “’Tis much you yet dinnae ken about us, Diana, but once you are made clan, ’twill be revealed to you. You cannae change your mind on this once you are a McDonnel, so be sure.”
“Well, you don’t know everything about me, either,” Diana said but eyed Kinley. “Did it change your mind?” When the captain shook her head, she turned to Raen. “Any second thoughts about having me stay?”
Raen brought his hands up to her face, and kissed her, slowly and deliberately, before he lifted his head and smiled. “I think of naught else, my lady.”
Neac beamed, Tormod groaned, and Kinley applauded.
“My lord, you should be aware that Diana bears my mark.” Raen lifted her palm to show the jag of ink to the laird. “So I and my spirit would very much like her to stay.”
“You have been busy, Seneschal,” Lachlan said. He stood and shouted, “Clan McDonnel, attend me.”
Every clansman within earshot came rushing into the hall, and gathered around them until they were completely surrounded by grim-faced highlanders. Diana moved closer to Raen, who folded his hand over hers.
“’Tis good to be home, brothers,” Lachlan said. “While my lady and I were away, Raen Aber, Cailean Lusk, and our guest, Lieutenant Burke, searched for and found Lamont’s only child. Since the earl is an important ally, ’twas a boon to this clan. ’Twas the lieutenant’s druid talent that led our men to the lass. She has a powerful gift for tracking that which doesnae wish to be found.”
Murmurs swept through the hall.
The laird lifted his hand, and the clansmen fell silent. “The druid conclave has ruled to send the lieutenant back to her homeland. I believe them wrong. I believe the sacred grove brought her to us, as it brought my wife. I believe Diana Burke was sent by the Gods to join our clan and aid in our quest. If any of you wouldnae have her as our sister, tell me now.”
No one made a sound, but most of the highlanders looked at Diana as if they had never before seen her. Then someone shouted in a strange language, and the men made way for the stable master, who came stumbling forward with a bottle in his hand.
“I dinnae want her,” Seoc said, and swayed on his feet as he peered at Diana. “The last mortal wench kept prisoner here took my cousin from me. She lured him away with her wiles.” He stabbed a finger at Lachlan. “And you did naught about it.”
“Aye, ’tis true,” Lachlan said. “But Evander and Fiona are gone now, and I’ve no’ the heart to pursue
them.” The laird put a hand on the stable master’s shoulder. “Diana is no’ a legion spy. She is a warrior like Kinley, and she has proven her worth. I cannae deny her because she has done nothing to betray the clan.”
Seoc stiffened. “While Evander did for his whore. Aye, I ken that, my lord. I live with it every day, crushing me.” He gave Diana a bleary grin. “And now this one to see, to remind me of my shame. Perhaps she should. I take back my objection.” He turned around and staggered out of the hall.
“Any others wish to speak against it?” the laird said mildly.
No one said a word.
“If she’s clan I’ll not have to chase her every morning,” Tormod said loudly, and scowled at Diana. “Aye, join us, Red. My legs want the rest.”
Some of the men chuckled, but a good many pushed forward, and one said, “We Uthars would hear what our chieftain thinks.”
“She may be a mortal, and a wench, but she fights like a man, runs like a deer, and drinks like an Uthar,” Neac said. “Aye, I’ll be proud to call her kin.”
“Mortal?” Diana murmured to Raen. “Doesn’t he mean druid kind?”
“Wait for it,” he advised her gravely.
“Well, then,” Lachlan said and drew a short dagger from his belt. He held it over his head. “We’re for the loch, lads.”
Diana walked with Raen as they followed the laird and the clan out of the castle and down to the edge of the water. Storm clouds shadowed the setting sun, and distant lightning flashed, illuminating the horizon like bombs detonating. When she glanced at the big man she saw his ink wasn’t lighting up or moving, but he looked a little grim.
Lachlan stood by two tall, carved stones and beckoned to Diana. Raen released her hand and said, “Go to him, and kneel before the stones.”
Diana felt something crackling in the air as she made her way through the crowd of clansmen to the laird. He moved to stand between the stones, and she dropped down before him.
Lachlan took her hand, and wrapped it around the hilt of his blade. He folded his hand on top of hers, and Neac used a very old piece of cord to bind her wrist to the laird’s.
As the chieftain spoke in another, unfamiliar language, Lachlan translated, and told Diana to repeat the words.
“I pledge myself to Lachlan McDonnel, laird of the McDonnel, as his clanswoman. From this day I am sister to him and his brothers,” she said. “When called upon by the clan, I shall always answer. I shall fight their battles, protect their allies, and keep their secrets. This I swear on my soul and my life.”
The clan let out a blood-curdling war cry, which made Diana jump a little. But as soon as the laird helped her to her feet and untied their hands he embraced her.
“I’ve never had brothers,” she told him as she drew back. “I’ve always been alone. You might have to give me lessons.”
“We are your family now, lass,” Lachlan said. “We will give you anything you need.”
The men began diving into the loch, their bodies radiating power as they transformed, and soon the water glowed with sparkling light. Lachlan and Raen joined them, leaving Diana with Kinley.
“They’re giving us a chance to talk,” the laird’s wife explained. “Lachlan thought I should be the one to tell you.”
“They’re like kids,” Diana said, smiling as she saw a transparent Neac leap out of the water, change briefly, and splash back down. “Okay, what’s the big secret?”
“About twelve hundred years ago the McDonnels were Pritani, also known as the Picts,” Kinley told her. “They protected the druids from the Romans when they invaded. Their final battle with the Ninth Legion was here, on Skye. All of the tribesmen came to fight, but the Romans outnumbered them three to one. They lost and were captured.”
Diana grimaced. “That must have sucked.”
“What came after was worse.” Her expression grew bleak. “When the Pritani wouldn’t tell the Romans where the druids were hiding, the legion slaughtered them, and threw their bodies into the loch. All of the Pritani tribesmen died that day, right here.”
“God, that’s horrible,” Diana said, feeling sick. “But if the legion killed all of them, then how could the clan be descended from…” She stopped and stared at Kinley as she thought of Neac calling her a mortal. “Oh, no.”
“The druids came here, and used their magic to bring the Pritani back from the dead,” Kinley said softly. “When they did that, they cast their deaths onto the Ninth Legion, and turned the Romans into the undead. Lachlan and Raen and all of the McDonnels are the men who died here twelve hundred years ago. The clan was made immortal, Diana. They never have to die again.”
Chapter Fifteen
DIANA LEFT KINLEY by the loch and grabbed a torch before she headed for the glen. At first she walked blindly, finding her way down the ridge path by instinct. Once she stepped out of the rocks she stared at the wide, grassy plain, and how the moonlight made everything look ghostly. The panorama certainly went along with the big freaking castle, the resurrected highlanders, and their undead enemies. No dragons, though. She’d been half-hoping for some scaly, jewel-eyed beast to slither out of the dungeon to send her a telepathic Heya.
She hadn’t just joined a clan of immortals. She’d fallen in love with one. One who along with all the others had been killed. Slaughtered. Right here.
Diana started jogging across the glen. The flame of her torch whipped wildly over her head, and she stumbled a few times, but she didn’t fall or stop. Soon she was running, her legs taking the long, bouncing strides she’d used in college to win three state track competitions. She didn’t have to stop. She could run until she couldn’t think anymore, until she couldn’t imagine what it had been like for Raen–
A wide stream flashed in front of her, too wide to jump. Diana tried to run through it, lost her footing and was swept off and hurled over a shelf of rocks into a deep pool of cold water.
She surfaced, sputtering as more water crashed down on her head. Submerging, she swam a few yards and resurfaced to see the waterfall she’d gone over. It looked almost as high as the cliff she’d thought Kinley had jumped off back in Horsethief Canyon. Her now-extinguished torch floated up to bob on the waves, and that was when she realized the pool of water and the rocks surrounding it were being lit by something else, something that was flashing over her head.
Diana looked up to see a huge storm cloud spreading over her, its dark billowy mass crawling with lightning, and felt two big, strong arms reach around her. She hated how wonderful it felt, as if nothing mattered but being with him.
“If you were trying to sneak up on me, your spirit blew it.”
“You knew I would follow,” Raen said and turned her around to face him. The flashing overhead echoed in his gray eyes. “I am the same man I was, Diana. Naught has changed but what you ken of my past. But if ’tis too much, tell me now, and I will leave you be.”
“Too much?”
She pushed him away, swam to the edge of the pool, and hoisted herself out. She would have run from there back to the castle, but her legs felt like gelatin, her head was spinning, and she couldn’t catch her breath. It shocked her to realize she was furious with him.
Raen climbed out and started to reach for her, and then apparently thought better of it.
“You are angry, I understand. I had no choice. I couldnae tell you. ’Tis clan law. Only those pledged to us can be told.”
“It’s a huge secret. I get it.” She braced her hands on her knees and gulped in air. “I don’t care about that.”
He moved a little closer. “Then why did you run?”
“It’s a nice night,” Diana said, and straightened to glare at him. “I’ve missed my morning jogs. Oh, and back at the castle? I was standing on the place where you were murdered twelve hundred years ago.”
Raen frowned. “You are shouting at me because the Romans killed me there? ’Twas not as if I chose the spot.”
“Shut up,” she said, just as her legs decided to give out.
She dropped to the ground and propped her head against her hands. “God. You think knowing you’re an immortal is too much for me? You died, Raen. You died a horrible death here on this island, and then you built a castle, and you live here, like it’s nothing? When I think of what they must have…”
Her imagination generated all manner of grotesque images. She shook her head as though that might stop them.
Raen crouched down beside her. “You are wrong about this, lass. ’Twas quick for me. The laird had it much worse. They left him for last, to make him watch.” He rubbed his knuckles down her cheek. “Fack me, I am sorry. Dinnae cry.”
Diana turned her face away and swiped her fingers over her wet cheeks. “No wonder you treat the druids like all-powerful beings. Crap, they really are.”
“The clan is grateful to them,” Raen said as he stretched out his legs and leaned back on his elbows. “But I sometimes wonder if we should be.”
Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me? You’re not happy being immortal? You never have to die. That’s the ultimate gift. In fact, nothing says thank you like eternal life.”
“It seems a boon, until time begins to pass, and naught changes for you,” Raen told her. “We cannae live as we did, as men who take wives, and have families, and pass our skills onto the next born. No bairns have been born to any of us since the awakening. We dinnae age, while all the mortals around us do. Even our creation had a terrible price. When the magic folk brought us back, they used the same spell to curse the Romans, and that created the undead.”
“Is that why they didn’t reverse the spell? Because the clan would have to die again?” She nodded, answering her own question. “Cailean told me that big magic has big consequences.”
“Aye,” Raen said. He reached over and took her marked hand, turning it over to trace the transferred ink. “But it brought us together, and that I cannae regret.”
She sighed, but then a thought occurred to her. She gave him a sideways glance.