by Donna Grant
Hayden chuckled. “And all I kept thinking was how I wished you were here to make a jest, to make me laugh.”
“I wish I could have been.”
They were silent for a moment, and then Hayden asked, “Are you leaving?”
Logan shook his head and tapped the stones. “Nay. Deirdre and her evil is a festering wound over our land. She needs to be destroyed, and it will take all of us.”
“Tell me what sent you from here.”
“The past and memories that willna loosen their hold.”
Hayden’s large hand came down on his shoulder in a gesture of understanding, of brotherhood. “If you need me, you know I will be there for you.”
“I know.” Logan looked into his friend’s eyes and forced a smile.
With a sigh, Hayden dropped his hand. “Now, what are we going to do about that bird?”
Logan saw the clarity in Hayden’s eyes, eyes that had held the demons of his past for so long. Logan wondered if he’d ever be so content.
As soon as the thought went through his mind he knew it would never be possible. Some transgressions of the past refused to die, and soon one of them would rear its ugly head.
“Logan?”
He shook himself and shrugged. “So far the peregrine hasn’t come too close to the castle. If it does, I’ll be there waiting for it.”
* * *
Brenna knew she shouldn’t bring the peregrine so close to the castle, not with the Warrior watching so intently. Yet there was something about the Warriors that called to her.
Maybe it was the sadness she glimpsed occasionally in the Warrior’s eyes. They were dangerous. She’d seen that in the way they battled the wyrran at Loch Awe.
The power of their gods, the savagery that had taken hold of them, should have scared her. But in the safety of her isle as she peered through the falcon’s eyes, she was awestruck by them and the Druids who trusted them.
Brenna mentally asked the falcon to hunt and then return to the forest. With just a thought, Brenna severed the connection she had with the bird.
“Well?”
It was no surprise her father once more waited impatiently to hear what she had seen. “They do nothing.”
“Nothing? I cannot believe that,” Kerwyn said as he paced around her, using the walking stick carved out of an oak and inscribed with ancient Celtic writing.
Brenna glanced at Daghda before she rose and faced her father. “They do nothing. I believe they await an attack from Deirdre.”
“Ah,” he said with a knowing look. “They go to great lengths to make others think they go against Deirdre.”
“And if they are going against Deirdre? Have you stopped to consider that?”
As soon as Kerwyn turned his dark eyes, cold and hard, to her, Brenna knew she shouldn’t have spoken.
“Do not question my word,” her father said between clenched teeth.
Brenna licked her dry lips and took a deep, steadying breath. “They could be taking a stand against Deirdre.”
“They aren’t. You know the tales of the Warriors after Rome was driven from our shores. You know the blood and death they delivered to our land. It is all a trick. No Warrior can be trusted.”
* * *
Reaghan awoke with a sigh as Galen’s fingers skimmed the sensitive skin of her back, leaving trails of chills in their wake.
“Morning,” he whispered.
She smiled and cracked open her eyes. “Good morn. You’re still here.”
“And where else would I be?”
She shrugged and scraped her fingers on his whiskers.
He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I’ll rid my face of these whiskers so I doona scratch your face.”
“They are getting a bit prickly.”
His smile died as he let out a long breath. “Are you going to speak to the Druids today?”
“I have to. Most won’t listen, I’m sure. Mairi is a good leader, but her mind is clouded now. Whether by our travels or because of what we’ve always believed, I’m not sure.”
“You’ve been taught the same things. Why don’t you feel the same way about us?”
Reaghan rolled onto her back and looked at the ceiling. “Part of it is because you helped us against the wyrran and brought us here. You could have left us to face Deirdre alone.”
“It could all have been a ruse to bring you to Deirdre.”
“It could have been,” she said, and turned her head so she looked at him. “But I looked into your eyes, Galen, and I knew I could trust you. I knew you spoke the truth.”
He shifted to his side and propped up on his elbow. “You didna know me.”
“It felt right to go with you and Logan, to give you my trust. If it hadn’t, I wouldn’t have gone.”
“It could have been my kisses,” he said with a lopsided grin.
Reaghan laughed and tapped his lips with her finger. “That could have had something to do with it.”
“You might want to consider taking Cara, Marcail, or Sonya with you when you speak with Mairi. I would say leave Larena since she’s a Warrior, and also doona include Isla because she was a drough.”
“I like Isla, regardless of whether she was a drough,” Reaghan said and frowned. “I don’t want to exclude either Isla or Larena.”
“I know, but your people need to trust us, and what better way to begin than with Cara, Marcail, and Sonya?”
Reaghan slowly nodded. “Now I understand how Deirdre came to be in power.”
“How?”
“The droughs were too concerned with growing their own black magic, and the mies weren’t able to realize that people change and sometimes you have to trust others to help. If the mies don’t band together, then Deirdre cannot be defeated. And the mies from my village have little to no power to speak of. Who will stand against Deirdre now?”
“We will,” Galen said. “And any Druid who wants to fight her.”
“I will stand with you.”
Something dark and possessive passed across his cobalt eyes. “Deirdre wants nothing more than to get her hands on any Druid she can.”
Before she could respond there was yet another knock on her door. Galen jumped from the bed and began donning his kilt. Reaghan sat up and reached for her chemise.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“Marcail,” came a soft voice.
Reaghan smiled and hurried to finish dressing. She glanced at Galen to make sure he was clothed, and unbolted the door. As soon as it opened she moved aside so Marcail could enter.
Marcail’s gaze alighted on Galen sitting on the bed and a slow smile spread her lips. “Good morn, Galen.”
He pulled on his boots and winked as he stood. “Marcail. Is there plenty of food this morn?”
“For you? Always.”
“I’ll see you both downstairs then.”
Reaghan was surprised when he paused beside her on his way out the door to give her a quick kiss. Her gaze followed him until he walked through the door.
When she turned back, Marcail was staring at her. Reaghan licked her lips. “I suppose I should explain.”
“Think nothing of it,” Marcail said. “I came because Isla and Hayden told us what happened last night with Mairi.”
“What Mairi said was unforgivable.”
Marcail waved away her words. “Isla is a strong Druid. It will take more than hurtful words to bring her to her knees. Deirdre tried for five hundred years and never succeeded. I don’t think your village elder will do it in one night.”
“And Hayden? He was very angry.”
“When it comes to protecting their women, all Warriors get irate. Mairi would do best to stay clear of Hayden for a while.”
Reaghan glanced at the floor. “I told Isla not to serve my people again. None of you are servants, and you shouldn’t be performing such duties.”
“We were hoping that once a day or so went by, they would feel as if they could share a meal with us, but after what happened wi
th Mairi, I don’t know if that’s possible.”
“This is very unlike Mairi or Odara. I don’t know what is wrong with either of them.”
Marcail linked her fingers together over her stomach. “They do plan to leave still?”
“Mairi does, but I know Fiona and Braden wish to stay. I want to talk to the others and see if I can convince any of them to stay as well.”
“I offer whatever help you need.”
Reaghan smiled. “Thank you. Galen suggested I take you, Cara, or Sonya with me.”
“Galen is often correct in his thinking. Ramsey said almost the same thing.”
“Ramsey?” Reaghan said.
Marcail laughed and motioned Reaghan out the door. “I keep forgetting you haven’t met many of the Warriors.”
“I know very few, in fact.”
“Then let’s rectify that, shall we? I’ll point out all of them while we break our fast.”
She walked alongside Marcail to the great hall. As soon as she spotted Galen sitting at the table, she felt her lips curving into a smile.
“He watches you even when you don’t realize it,” Marcail whispered from beside her.
Reaghan jerked her gaze to the Druid. “He does?”
“Always,” she said with a small nod and proceeded down the stairs.
THIRTY-TWO
Galen motioned Reaghan next to him. As soon as he’d seen her, he’d had to make himself stay seated and not go to her, not kiss her so that every male there knew she was his. Marcail whispered something before Reaghan walked over to him.
“What was that about?” he asked
“She was going to have the Warriors introduce themselves so I would know their names.”
Galen set down his goblet. “Tell me who you know.”
“You, Logan, and the MacLeods. I know Hayden, as well as Broc.”
“All right,” Galen said. “You know Cara is with Lucan, aye?”
“Aye. Marcail is married to Quinn, and Larena, the female Warrior, is married to Fallon.”
Galen handed her an oatcake. “Correct. What do you know of Hayden?”
“Only that he is very protective of Isla. And very tall.”
“True enough,” Galen said with a chuckle. “So that only leaves six for you to know. The scoundrel across from me is Ramsey MacDonald.”
Ramsey, with his cropped black hair and piercing silver eyes, regarded Reaghan for a moment. “Welcome to MacLeod Castle.”
“He doesn’t say much,” Galen said. “But when he does, we tend to take notice.”
Reaghan smiled at Ramsey. “I appreciate the welcome.”
Galen then pointed down the table to the twins. “Those are the Kerrs. The one with the long hair is Duncan. The other is Ian. They are so similar, that without their hair being different, I fear none of us could tell them apart.”
“Speak for yourself,” said a man on the other side of Galen.
Galen leaned back so Reaghan could see Arran. “And this one is Arran MacCarrick.”
“A pleasure,” Arran said to Reaghan.
Reaghan inclined her head.
Galen motioned down the table with his chin. “The last Warrior is Camdyn MacKenna. He’s the one toward the end of the table with the long black hair.”
“And the man next to him with the scars is Malcolm?”
“That’s right,” Galen said.
“He seems … lonely and withdrawn.”
Galen put his elbows on the table and grabbed a piece of cheese. “He doesn’t feel as though he belongs. He spends a lot of time wandering the cliffs.”
Fiona and Braden walked into the great hall then, and as usual Braden ran to Logan. Galen watched Logan with the boy for a moment before he felt Reaghan’s gaze on him.
“Logan seems to enjoy Braden.”
Galen nodded and turned back to Reaghan. “Logan’s past is like a darkness growing inside him. If we doona maintain control, the god can take over, which is what Deirdre wants.”
“So she can control you?”
“Aye. Logan, like many of us, keeps his past to himself, but for whatever reason Braden brings back the smile we’ve all expected from Logan.”
Reaghan placed her hand on Galen’s arm. “Then I’m glad Braden and Fiona are staying.”
Galen gazed into her gray eyes. He wanted to take her back to her chamber and make love to her again. Galen was just about to suggest it when Mairi appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Reaghan,” he said.
She frowned and turned her head. “This cannot be good.”
“Let Fallon talk to her,” he cautioned.
Just as Galen expected, Fallon rose from his seat. “Mairi. Would you join us?”
“I will not,” the elder said, and let her harsh glare roam the hall. “I should never have allowed Galen to scare me into bringing my people here.”
Reaghan’s nails dug into his arm. Galen placed a hand over hers and tried to offer whatever comfort he could.
“Galen used his power to control minds to make us come here,” Mairi continued. “He’s turned Reaghan against her own people. He’s taken her to his bed and turned her into an insatiable whore.”
The anger inside Galen bubbled and rose as Mairi’s viciousness turned on Reaghan. His fangs filled his mouth, and he knew if he looked down at his skin he’d find it the dark green of his god.
“Stop it,” Reaghan said as she jerked to her feet. “Stop the lies, Mairi. I will hear no more of it.”
The elder shook her head. “They aren’t lies. Ask Galen what his power is. Every Warrior here has some kind of power.”
“And every Druid has some kind of magic,” Isla said, her voice hard and full of fury. “Why do you fear the Warriors so?”
“I’ve told you,” Mairi screamed. “Galen forced us.”
“Enough!” Fallon bellowed. “You are making outrageous claims, Mairi.”
The elder raised her chin. “They are the truth.”
Reaghan had never felt such rage in her life. To hear the woman she had considered a mother say such things about Galen was appalling. And Galen had yet to speak up for himself.
“You could have stayed at Loch Awe,” Reaghan said. “You could have stayed and taken your own life as Nessa and the others did. No one forced you. Galen and Logan offered to bring us to safety. It was your choice. Yours alone.”
Mairi snorted, her face a mask of hatred. Reaghan had never seen her like this before. The hall was deathly quiet, everyone waiting to hear what Mairi said next.
“No Warrior can be trusted, Reaghan. All but you and Fiona know that. I guess it feels good to have a man between your thighs. So good you will betray your own people.”
Reaghan’s knees gave out, and it was only Galen’s strong arms that kept her on her feet.
“Arguing with her only makes it worse,” Galen whispered.
Reaghan shook her head as tears stung her eyes. She was embarrassed, humiliated. The MacLeods had opened their home and given Reaghan and her people shelter. How had Mairi repaid their kindness? By treating the women as servants and degrading everyone at the castle.
“See?” Mairi screeched and pointed to Galen. “He whispers in her ear telling her what to do.”
Reaghan tore out of Galen’s arms and strode to the foot of the stairs. “Stop this now. Galen was giving me comfort. You’ve always been so kind and wise. Please stop saying such awful and untrue things.”
The laugh that came from Mairi was filled with hysteria and cruelty. “He used his powers to get inside my head.”
“He did it for Reaghan,” Logan said. “I was there. He threatened to do so because he wanted answers about Reaghan, answers you refused to give.”
“And why would I tell you anything?” Mairi spat.
Galen finally stood. “We were worried about Reaghan.”
“Tell me, Warrior, have you ever gotten into someone’s mind and commanded them to do something?” Mairi asked.
Coldness swept over
Reaghan when Galen didn’t answer. She swiveled her head to find his gaze on the table, his skin flashing green. Reaghan’s heart broke for him, for the position Mairi had put him in.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said.
At the same time Galen answered, “Aye.”
“I knew it,” Mairi said, and clapped her hands like an excited child. “I knew you were as evil as I suspected. I knew you got into my mind and forced me.”
As one Cara, Marcail, Isla, Larena, and Sonya rose from the table and walked to stand beside Reaghan. Their show of support brought tears to Reaghan’s eyes.
“I’ve heard enough.” Fallon’s voice, low and deep, carried throughout the hall. “If you doona wish to stay, then by all means, you are free to leave. You’ve never been a prisoner.”
Lucan stood and leaned his hands upon the table. “We offered you sanctuary from the evil that is hounding you outside these walls. But we will not stand to hear such vile comments from you again about Galen, Reaghan, or anyone else in this castle.”
“So leave,” Quinn said as he gained his feet. “Leave and find yourself in Deirdre’s hands. It matters no’ to us anymore.”
Mairi swung her gaze to Reaghan. “I’m not leaving without Reaghan.”
“You doona have a choice in the matter,” Galen said.
Reaghan started up the steps until she stood in front of Mairi. “I’m only going to say this once more, so listen very carefully. I’m. Not. Leaving.”
Mairi’s smile was calculating and cold. “Oh, aye, you will. If you want the answers you’ve sought about your past and the memories that elude you, you will come with me.”
“Why?” Reaghan was immediately suspicious. Why was it so important she leave with Mairi? “Why would you tell me now?”
“Why not?” Mairi asked. “If I leave you here, you will die. At least with me, you stand a chance.”
There was an indignant gasp behind her. Then Cara said, “Deirdre knows you are here. They will be waiting for you. There is nothing you can do to get away from her except to stay here.”
“With you?” Mairi asked, and sneered down at Cara. “I’d rather rot in Hell.”
“That can be arranged,” Lucan said with a deep, dangerous growl.