Dark Gathering
Page 32
The eldest of the clan members held his hand up to silence the others. “Are you and LaFelle equipped to manage the women’s training?” the eldest asked, his grey eyebrows thick and heavy, nearly meeting in the middle. His beard was grizzled and tough, grey hairs growing from his nose and ears.
“Castle Dunrobin in the Highlands of Scotland is well fortified,” he told the council members. “She and her sister can stay there. My sister will see tae their medical needs and LaFelle can assist and guide them with their training.”
“Yet you were unable to protect the Seer earlier at the castle, were you not?”
Duncan balled his hands into fists at the reminder that he’d been unable to protect the woman he loved. A slight tic in his jaw was the only evidence of his internal battle. “I have underestimated Caitriona’s determination tae leave. That willna happen again,” he stated, matter of fact.
“If she is unhappy at Castle Dunrobin, why would it make a difference if she stayed there or were to join us in New France? We can keep the women safe. The lands are heavily patrolled and we have many more technologies there that you are unable to provide at Castle Dunrobin. LaFelle shall accompany them. France is his homeland and he will be able to continue his work with Caitriona.”
Mine. Mine. Mine. The words thundered in his head. His palms grew clammy and his heart was thundering. He wasn’t going to lose Caitriona. If she was placed at the palace in France, he’d never see her. His duty was here in Scotland. Damnu! He had to bring this back around.
The council members pushed back their chairs and stood.
“With all due respect, Councilman Streip, where are ye going?”
“We are finished here,” the older man grumbled. “The matter is settled. You will return to your duties as captain of the starship and commander of the Templar army. Your services in this matter are concluded. We thank you for your service and completion of your mission.”
Duncan glared at Streip and the other council members. He was frustrated with their myopic view of the war and even more disgusted with the disdainful treatment they showed Caitriona. He wasn’t turning her over to them, but neither could he openly defy them. Fixing them all with one last glare, he turned and left the council chambers, nearly toppling Caitriona on his way out.
“What is it, Duncan?” she asked, concern etched in the furrow of her brow. “What happened in there?”
He ignored her questions. “Damnu!” he thundered, for not the first time that day. He stopped and pulled her to him, searching her eyes. “They will never see reason,” he told her. “They are so blinded by their own narcissistic, selfish…”
“Duncan, stop,” she pleaded. “You’re not making any sense.”
Taking a deep breath, he cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs tracing the outline of her features. “I’m taking ye home to Seattle, lass.”
About the Author
Karlene Cameron lives in the Pacific Northwest where she practices and teaches marketing, chases sunshine, and dallies in wine, whiskey and coffee. Karlene is the author of Dark Awakening, the first book in the Dark World trilogy. She blames her conspiracy theory obsession on her sister who, to this day, swears we never sent a man to the moon. When not writing, Karlene can be found plunking away at the piano, rafting the white water of the Wenatchee river, or enjoying a good cup of coffee (or wine) depending on the hour. She is currently working on the last book in the Dark World series, Dark Storm.
https://karlenecameronbooks.com/about-author-karlene-cameron/