by Donna Grant
She had no idea why Logan would find that amusing, but obviously he did.
“I doona lie,” Galen told Odara. “We’re here in an effort to fight Deirdre.”
At the mention of the name, Odara sucked in a breath, and her hands began to shake. Her gaze darted around, as if at any moment, Deirdre would jump from behind a tree. “What do you know of her?”
“Too much,” Logan muttered angrily.
Those two words, laced with such revulsion along with a hint of anxiety, was enough to make Reaghan believe them. It wasn’t just the words, though. She had always had the ability to tell when someone was lying to her if she could look them in the eye. Galen and Logan weren’t lying. About any of it.
Reaghan was more intrigued than ever. She had heard stories of Deirdre before, the drough who wanted to rule the world. It was one of the reasons her village was hidden, why they were wary of strangers.
“Odara, I think we should listen to them,” Reaghan whispered.
Odara, who knew of Reaghan’s ability, let out a deep breath and nodded her head as she looked to Galen and Logan. “Stay with Reaghan. I will return.”
Once Odara walked away, Reaghan opened her mouth to begin asking the men many and varied questions. She wanted to know as much as she could before the elders returned and seized the men’s attention.
“It was your magic we felt.”
Galen’s words halted any questions Reaghan had thought to ask. The skill to sense lies or truth wasn’t magic. Reaghan had tried magic. She had none. “You’re mistaken. I have no magic.”
The falcon gave a loud cry above them, its shrill call echoing around the forest and loch. Reaghan paid the bird little heed. She was too shaken by Galen’s words. She wished it were her magic he had sensed, but she knew firsthand there was no magic to speak of inside her. She was a Druid with no power.
A pity, that. She would have liked to be a part of whatever Galen and Logan had come to her village for. To be a part of something meaningful, something that changed the world, appealed to her in ways she never expected.
It wouldn’t matter anyway. As much as the men captivated her, once the remaining women spotted the new arrivals, Reaghan would be forgotten. And that was for the best, especially since she was about to leave on her own adventure.
It was all working out perfectly. Mairi and the other elders would be occupied with Galen and Logan, leaving Reaghan free to depart without any fuss. Reaghan didn’t like the prospect of a long farewell.
“We’re never mistaken,” Logan said, his voice breaking into her thoughts.
Galen’s brilliant blue eyes held hers. She was caught, trapped in his gaze, and she found she didn’t mind at all. “Your magic is very strong. You just don’t know it yet.”
THREE
Galen couldn’t take his eyes off Reaghan. The last thing he had expected to see while hunting the Druids was a woman so striking, so breathtaking he doubted his own sanity for a moment.
As soon as he had seen her, as soon as her remarkable deep gray eyes locked with his, the attraction had been instantaneous. Urgent. All-consuming.
In all his years, Galen had never felt something that seemed so … right.
It wasn’t until she spoke in a soft, sensual voice that he knew she was real. That and the fact Logan seemed as taken aback as he.
The first thing Galen noticed was her eye-catching auburn hair, which fell around her shoulders and back in unruly curls. Then his gaze had clashed with her deep gray eyes, and he’d been lost.
The way her gaze moved over his body left him scorched, the flames of desire licking him. His balls tightened in expectation. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. He could only look his fill at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
It wasn’t just her exotic looks. It was the way she held herself with regal bearing and elegant poise. She should be sitting on a throne somewhere, not living among the trees, was his first thought. Yet the forest welcomed her, as if it had opened itself to be her home.
Even from a distance he could tell she was tall for a woman. Her simple gown of soft cream did nothing to hide her slim, shapely form from — her breasts to her small waist to the swell of her hips.
It was her face, however, that struck him breathless. Her eyes were large and expressive in a heart-shaped face. Brows slightly darker than her hair arched over her eyes, adding to their allure. She had high cheekbones and full, luscious lips ripe for kissing.
He imagined himself stroking her creamy skin, pulling her against him so he could feel her warmth, her softness.
Galen inwardly cursed himself and his god. He couldn’t touch Reaghan, no matter how much he hungered to do just that. He knew what would happen when he did, and he couldn’t put himself — or her — through that. He was at the village to further their cause, and he needed to remind himself of that. Despite the fact that Reaghan was the loveliest thing he had ever seen, or likely ever would.
However, he was surprised she denied her magic. He had known as soon as he saw her that the magic he’d felt since reaching the loch had been hers. And it was unbelievably potent. It pulsed around her, shielding her. So much so that Galen wondered whether hers or Isla’s was more powerful.
“How can she think she does no’ have any magic?” Logan whispered.
Galen shrugged, but he wanted to find out. He took a step toward Reaghan, and though she raised a brow in question, she didn’t retreat. “Why do you say you have no magic?”
“Because I don’t. I’ve tried countless times to do magic as the others have, but nothing happens. It is the way when Druids marry others. The magic is diluted until there is nothing.”
Before Galen could answer her, the elder Druid returned with two others. It had taken them hours to find the village, and if Reaghan hadn’t appeared to them, Galen knew they’d still be looking. There must be shielding magic cloaking the village. It would explain how they could feel the magic, but not see the village or Druids.
Galen bowed his head in acknowledgment to the elders, and though he was anxious to return to MacLeod Castle, he would have liked to have a few moments alone with the beautiful Reaghan.
“As I have told Reaghan, I am Galen Shaw. This,” he said, motioning to Logan, “is Logan Hamilton. We’ve come in search of Druids.”
“So I’m told,” said the middle Druid with dark hair liberally shot with gray.
Galen imagined she had been quite pretty when she was younger, but time and the stress of hiding from Deirdre had taken its toll.
She took a deep breath. “I am Mairi, one of the elders, as I’m sure you’ve surmised.”
Logan stepped forward and smiled. “Thank you for seeing us.”
Mairi motioned to her right. “This is Odara, and on my left is Nessa. What makes you think you have found Druids?”
Galen pulled out the map and unrolled it. “We have come from MacLeod Castle.”
“MacLeod?” Nessa murmured, her face suddenly pale.
“Aye,” Logan answered.
Galen lifted the map so all three, as well as Reaghan, could see. “We have Druids at the castle, and one used her magic to tell us we could find a group of you here.”
Odara raised her chin and looked at them with green eyes full of distrust. “How do we know Deirdre didn’t send you?”
“For one thing, we would have wyrran with us if she had sent us,” Logan said. “For another, Deirdre is no’ one for diplomacy.”
Galen nodded. “She is searching for Druids now, and could very well send wyrran here. Time is of the essence.”
“We didna come to harm you,” Logan said, meeting each elder’s gaze. “We came for information, and to help you if you will allow us.”
“What can two men do?” Mairi scoffed. “You do not even carry swords.”
Galen exchanged a look with Logan. Isla had cautioned them not to let the Druids know they were Warriors. They were skeptical enough without adding that to the mix.
“We can hold
our own,” Galen answered. “None of you will come to harm while we are here. There is no need to pretend you are no’ Druids. We know you are.”
Nessa laughed, the sound humorless and dry. “You think we will allow you inside our village? You must be addled.”
Galen glanced at Reaghan to see her brow furrowed, and her gaze on him. “We came in search of information about an artifact, a relic that has been passed down through the generations. This artifact could be used against Deirdre. Do you know of what I speak?”
Mairi folded her hands at her waist. “If we did, why would we tell you?”
Logan muttered a curse beneath his breath and raked a hand through his hair.
Galen wasn’t about to give up so easily. “We are fighting a war with the most powerful drough of all time. Deirdre has very potent magic, but there has to be a way to be rid of her and her evil. Your kind is suffering and slowly being wiped into extinction. Help us fight Deirdre. Help us to win,” he urged.
“We do not allow strangers into our village,” Nessa said with a sniff.
Mairi exhaled slowly. “Your words are difficult to hear, and though I would like to believe you, I cannot.”
“What do you need for proof?” Logan asked.
Nessa snorted. “Anything.”
Galen fought for patience. He knew gaining access to the village would be difficult. “Is it no’ proof enough that we have a Druid who told us where to find you?”
“I wish it was,” Mairi murmured. “Reaghan? What do you sense?”
Reaghan turned her head to the elders. “They speak the truth, Mairi.”
Mairi and the other two drew closer, their heads bowed together as they whispered. With Galen’s advanced hearing he could hear them discussing whether to allow them in. They didn’t trust him or Logan, so they would be careful. Yet, somehow, it was Reaghan’s statement that helped them.
The women broke apart and Mairi stepped forward. “Though it goes against our determination to keep the village secret, we will allow you inside because we want Deirdre gone. Reaghan has seen into your eyes and observed the truth.”
“You will be allowed inside,” Odara said, her wrinkled face pinched with anger, “through tomorrow. After that, you must leave.”
Galen nodded in agreement. One night wouldn’t be enough time, but it was better than nothing. “Thank you.”
As much as Galen wanted to celebrate the small victory, in truth, he hadn’t won anything. The Druids still didn’t trust him or Logan, nor had they admitted to knowing of the artifact.
“How much can we learn in so short a time?” Logan asked as they followed the three elders.
Reaghan suddenly appeared beside Galen. “Not much, I’m afraid. You must earn their trust to learn anything or to stay longer.”
“How?” Galen asked.
“That I cannot tell you.”
Logan shook his head as his lips compressed into a tight line.
Galen shortened his strides so he put distance between the elders and himself. “What did Mairi mean when she said you looked into our eyes and saw the truth?”
“It’s something I do,” Reaghan said with a slight shrug. “If I look into a person’s eyes when they are speaking, I can tell if they are lying or not.”
“That’s convenient,” Logan said.
Galen agreed. “When was the last time your elders allowed anyone into the village?”
“Not once that I can remember, but that has just been ten years,” Reaghan answered.
“Just ten years?” Logan repeated with a frown. “What happened ten years ago?”
Reaghan lifted a slim shoulder in a shrug. A small frown appeared on her brow and her body stiffened. “I contracted a fever that killed many Druids. Mairi stayed by my side the entire time until I was healed.”
“And your family?” Galen asked. “Are they here?”
“I don’t remember my family. In fact, I recall nothing of my life before I awoke from the fever. Mairi said it’s better that I don’t remember.” Reaghan’s lips were pinched as she cut off her words.
“Maybe she believes the past is better left buried,” Galen said.
Her eyes met his for a moment before she turned her face away. “These people are my family. I will not see them harmed. You’ve been allowed inside. If you want more information, as I said, you will need to earn their trust.”
Galen kept scanning the forest with his gaze. It wouldn’t surprise him if the Druids had someone watching. “We appreciate your elders’ allowing us inside your village. It is most fortunate we found you.”
Reaghan stared at him, her silver gaze intense, as if she were searching his soul for the truth. For the briefest of moments Galen wanted to reach out and touch her, to pull her against him and hold her.
But he couldn’t — and wouldn’t. He had no desire to see her thoughts, and touching her would ensure that he did. While other Warriors fought to learn to use their powers when not in their Warrior form, Galen fought to keep his power from intruding on his life.
He’d failed so far.
The simplest, smallest touch would give Galen a glance into anyone’s mind. And he didn’t want that kind of knowledge. People’s minds were meant to be private.
The longing, the heartache, the anger, the grief he saw could be so relentless, so intense it brought him to his knees. To not be able to touch someone, to hold someone, to feel the comfort of a hand or the passion of a kiss without his power intruding, had sent Galen away from everyone.
He went through life trying his damnedest not to touch anyone except when he had to. Even when he battled the wyrran he saw into their wicked minds, saw the evil they yearned to swathe the world in.
It left him disgusted and sick to his stomach, but he would endure it if it meant more wyrran were killed.
Galen paused when he saw the stone pillars so similar to the structures that dotted many of the isles around Scotland.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Reaghan said. “I’m always taken aback when I look at them.”
The pillars stood half the size of an oak with a thick slab of stone laid atop them. They were covered in the ancient text of the Celts. Mixed with the language was intricate knotwork that wound around the stones in a lavish and spectacular display of craftsmanship.
“Incredible,” Logan murmured.
Reaghan smiled and let out a contented sigh.
“Who crafted these?” Galen asked.
She shrugged. “As far as I know, they’ve been around for centuries.”
“Can anyone in your village read the language?”
“Can you?”
Galen looked at Logan and chanced telling Reaghan half the truth despite his curiosity at her not answering him. If they wanted to find the artifact they were searching for, they would need someone from the village on their side. “Some of it.”
“What does it say?”
Logan moved to the stone nearest him and pointed to the top. “It says Loch Awe and the surrounding area are protected by the magic of the Druids, and to do evil is to provoke that magic.”
Reaghan’s silver eyes were ablaze with excitement. “And the rest?”
“We’ll need more time to decipher it,” Galen said.
“Interesting.” Reaghan’s smile was bright, lighting up her face with a warm glow.
Galen felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach.
“Come,” Reaghan said. “It’s time you saw the village.”
Galen watched her walk through the pillars and knew that somehow the stones were responsible for hiding the Druids.
“Are you all right?” Logan asked Galen.
“Aye. Why do you ask?”
Logan snorted and gave him a wry smile. “Because I saw your face when Reaghan smiled. If you find her attractive there’s no reason you cannot take your pleasure with her if she’s willing.”
“If only it were that easy, my friend. If only it were that easy.”
FOUR
Ga
len took a deep, calming breath and followed Reaghan through the pillars. Once through, he was able to see the village. It wasn’t hidden by the same shielding magic Isla used at MacLeod Castle, but it was similar.
Logan halted beside him as they surveyed the small settlement. Dotted along the slope of the mountain were cottages built around trees or between clusters of trees.
“This wasn’t what I expected,” Logan said under his breath.
“If their magic is waning, as Reaghan said, this is probably the best they could do, but it also means it willna keep the wyrran from finding them eventually.”
“We doona have much time. Deirdre knows there are Druids here.”
Galen clenched his jaw and nodded. “If she was coming to take the artifact, then it means she will most likely send wyrran here in the hopes of finding Druids.”
“We need to convince the Druids to leave with us.”
“You know that willna happen.”
Logan turned hazel eyes to him. “Even if we get the artifact, I cannot leave Druids here to await their death by Deirdre’s hand.”
Galen agreed with Logan, but he could tell by the way the Druids lived that they were entrenched in the land. Galen didn’t even want to entertain the thought of forcing them to leave.
Reaghan turned and waved for them to follow. Galen tried to tamp down his growing desire and started toward Reaghan and the elders. He, like Logan, had anticipated something different. For one, he had envisioned more Druids.
He counted just over a score. And many of the twenty-three were old and frail. The only younger ones were women who didn’t stand a chance against wyrran.
“We have guests,” Mairi’s voice rang out when Galen and Logan came to stand behind her. “They’ve come from MacLeod Castle and are looking for ways to destroy Deirdre.”
At the mention of the MacLeods the people began to talk, no longer paying attention to Mairi. Galen couldn’t fault them. He’d felt much the same way when he’d learned the MacLeods had been found and were taking a stand against Deirdre.
The MacLeods were the eldest of the Warriors, the initial ones to have their gods unbound. And they were the first to escape Deirdre.