Shadow Highlander ds-5

by Donna Grant

  “The MacClures and their army will be here by first light,” Broc announced.

  Reaghan, like the rest of the occupants in the hall, stood silent, each lost in thought.

  Logan was the first to speak. “Even with the wyrran they are no match for us.”

  “Not to mention that Isla’s shield will slow them,” Hayden added.

  Reaghan swiveled her head to Galen. Shield or not, she knew that in just a matter of hours the castle would be under attack. She was confident of the Warrior’s ability, having seen them firsthand, but she still feared for Galen.

  “The Druids will hide below the castle in the old dungeons, just as before,” Fallon said.

  Lucan nodded and folded his arms over his chest. “I’ll guard them.”

  “Nay,” Ramsey said. “You three brothers need to fight together, just as your god intended you to do. You’re unstoppable together, and that’s exactly what we need.” Fallon blew out a breath and bent forward to lean his hands on the table. “Ramsey is right.” “I’ll guard the Druids,” Larena said. “I’ll use my power and stay invisible so that if anyone or anything does get inside the castle they’ll think the Druids aren’t guarded.” “Good idea,” Fallon said, and winked at his wife.

  Quinn said, “Everyone else knows their place.”

  Sonya cleared her throat. “Fallon, a word.”

  “Go on,” he told Sonya.

  “The trees are trying to tell me something. They are most urgent,” the Druid said.

  Before she was even finished talking Fallon was shaking his head. “I doona want anyone to leave the castle.” “Then let Isla remove the shield,” Sonya argued. “The trees wouldn’t be this insistent if it wasn’t important. They’ve proven that in the past.” Lucan moved to stand beside Fallon. “We cannot chance having the shield removed for even a heartbeat.” “I know,” Fallon said with a sigh.

  Sonya strode to stand in front of Fallon. “Get me to the trees, or I go myself.”

  Reaghan watched, fascinated by how Sonya dared to stand against Warrior, much less their leader. If the Druids of Reaghan’s village had seen this, they might have realized these Warriors would never harm them.

  “I can fly her over the trees,” Broc said. “I’ll stay high enough so no one sees us.”

  “All right,” Fallon relented with a sigh.

  Broc gave a quick nod. He held out his hand to Sonya, and together they walked from the castle.

  “Come,” Marcail murmured next to Reaghan. “We need to gather food. Once we are down in the dungeon, we won’t be able to return until the battle is over and the MacClures are gone.” With one last look at Galen, Reaghan followed the women into the kitchen.

  Galen waited until Reaghan was gone before he turned to his fellow Warriors. “My strength is restored.” “And we’re glad of that,” Hayden said.

  Galen glanced at the kitchen doorway. “Did you question Odara?”

  Lucan gave a small nod. “She thinks Reaghan might be hiding the location of a large mass of magic.” Galen cursed and raked a hand through his hair. “I feared it might be something like that.” “We doona know for sure,” Ian cautioned.

  Arran grunted. “Whether it is a hidden source of magic or something else, we all know it must be important.” Galen inhaled deeply. “We can focus on this later. For now, let’s prepare for battle.” Duncan slapped his hands together and rubbed them. “I’ve been itching for another battle. Though it hardly seems fair to fight mortal men and wee wyrran.” “Maybe so, but I’m more than ready,” Camdyn said, deadly intent in his gaze.

  Galen caught sight of Malcolm, who stood at the back of the hall in the shadows, silent and always watching. The mortal couldn’t return to his own lands, and he wasn’t a Warrior, so he didn’t quite fit in at the castle.

  When Malcolm realized Galen watched him, he pushed from the wall and walked away.

  “What do I say to him?” Fallon asked.

  Galen turned his gaze to Fallon. “He cannot fight with us nor can we send him with the women.” “Nay. He was a fine warrior for his clan before he was attacked. But with his one arm useless, I fear he will only get himself killed.” “That may be exactly what he wants.”

  Fallon scratched his chin and cursed. “For my wife’s sake, I hope that’s no’ true. Larena will be devastated if Malcolm died.” “And yet Malcolm wants to be set free. He’s only existing, no’ living,” Galen said.

  Galen stretched his arms over his head and studied the sky as he stood on the battlements, waiting for any sign of Broc and Sonya. The hours had passed at a steady rate. It was well into the afternoon, and it wouldn’t be long before the sun disappeared from view altogether. Broc and Sonya had been gone longer than anyone expected. The women were nervous for their return, the men determined to find them.

  “You think something happened, don’t you?” Reaghan asked from beside him.

  Galen took comfort in her nearness. He had a bad feeling about the coming attack, and an even worse feeling about Broc and Sonya. “It shouldn’t have taken so long.” “Broc will protect Sonya.”

  “That’s what I fear.” Galen gripped the stones and silently willed Broc to appear. Suddenly, amid the heavy clouds, Galen spotted the large, dark blue wings. “Here they come!” Behind him, Galen could hear the others rushing into the bailey as Broc flew over them.

  No sooner had Broc landed and set Sonya on her feet than Ramsey asked, “What took so long?” Broc looked at Ramsey, his face grim. “I had to land in a tree. Sonya needed to touch one of them as they spoke to her.” But it was Sonya’s words that gave everyone pause. “There is a group of Druids heading toward us. My sister is among them.” Galen’s stomach clenched. Druids arriving at the same time they were being attacked? It couldn’t be coincidence.

  He listened with half an ear as Sonya spoke about her sister and the Druids she had been raised with. Galen took Reaghan’s hand and brought her attention to him. “I wish I could take you somewhere safe.” “I am safe. I’m with you.”

  Galen could see the truth of her statement shining in Reaghan’s gray eyes. “I doona like the feeling I get about the upcoming battle.” “It’ll be all right. We’ll have more Druids here to protect as well.”

  “If they get here before the battle.”

  *

  Supper was a somber affair. Ever since Galen had told her he had a dreadful feeling about the battle, Reaghan couldn’t shake the worry that assaulted her. The perfect time to tell Galen of her feelings had been when they were alone on the battlements, but now his concentration was on the upcoming battle. She didn’t want to interfere with that.

  Reaghan nudged her trencher away from her. She couldn’t eat with the heavy atmosphere in the castle. Before the meal was half finished, Fallon and Larena rose and left the hall.

  A few moments later Quinn and Marcail followed. Just a heartbeat after that, Lucan and Cara were the next to leave. Hayden and Isla stood as one and made their way to the stairs.

  Reaghan wasn’t surprised to see Fiona lift Braden in her arms and make her way to their chamber. The remaining Warriors spoke in low tones, both eager for battle and uneasy about protecting the Druids.

  “Come with me,” Galen said as he took her hand.

  Reaghan let him pull her to her feet and then up the stairs to the battlements. As soon as the cool night air touched her face, Reaghan took in a deep breath.

  Galen sat against the wall and pulled her down between his legs, her back leaning against his chest. No words were spoken, though there was so much Reaghan wanted to say.

  She looked up at the sky and smiled. She had always thought it a beautiful sight to see the clouds, darkened by the night, moving over the moon.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Galen asked.

  Reaghan nodded. “Sometimes when the moon is large and hangs low in the sky, it makes you feel as if you could just reach up and touch it.” Galen chuckled, his chest rumbling with the sound. “As a lad, I used to climb up the
trees and try to reach for it.” “Did you ever touch it?”

  “Nay, but there were times I thought if I were a wee bit taller I could have.”

  His arms tightened around her. It felt so good to be enveloped in his warmth, his strength. She could believe for just a moment that they were the only two people in the world.

  “I’m glad you came to Loch Awe,” she said. “For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted an adventure.” “You certainly got it.”

  She could hear the smile in his voice. “Aye. I also found you.”

  “Nay, I found you.”

  “We found each other.”

  He bent and kissed the side of her neck. “Aye, Reaghan. We did find each other.”

  “Cara told me Deirdre has attacked the castle before.”

  “Three different times.”

  Some of Reaghan’s apprehension waned at the news. “What happens tomorrow?”

  “We wait for the attack. If the Druids arrive at the same time, we’re hoping Isla’s magic shielding us will give all of us the time we need to bring the Druids inside before the wyrran break through.” “How do you know the MacClures and the wyrran won’t see the Druids?”

  “We doona.”

  Reaghan understood then the extent of everyone’s nervousness. “I worry for your safety.” “No need,” he said, and tugged at one of her curls. “I’m immortal, remember. Besides, Deirdre willna kill us. She will imprison us again.” “To torture and to try to turn you to her evil ways.”

  “Aye. I survived in her mountain once. I can do it again.”

  Reaghan lifted his hand and put her palm against his before linking their fingers. The thought of him once more enslaved by Deirdre sent a cold chill down her spine. “Don’t get captured.” “I ask the same of you.”

  It was the way he said it, the words forced, as if he couldn’t put enough emphasis on them. She snuggled against him and watched the moon and clouds. “I’ll make sure to keep away from any danger.” “Good, because you mean too much to me.”

  Reaghan smiled, the warmth from his words spreading over her body. It was the right time to speak, the right time to tell him of her feelings. “I love you.” He sucked in a breath, and though no words passed his lips, his arms tightened around her. It was enough for Reaghan.

  Whatever tomorrow brought, she had this moment.

  And Galen.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  The first streaks of light broke through the gray of the morning. The sky was clear, the sunrise vibrant with colors of deep orange and royal purple.

  Galen had seen many such mornings in his years as a Warrior, but it was the first since his god was unbound that he had felt such fear claw at his belly.

  “A beautiful morning,” Logan said as he walked up.

  Galen nodded.

  “Is Reaghan with the other Druids?”

  Galen cracked his knuckles and faced Logan, Reaghan’s words of love echoing in Galen’s head. “Aye. I made her promise she would stay in the dungeon until I came for her.”

  “You think Deirdre will try to take her?”

  “I think Deirdre will take all of us if she’s able.”

  Logan rubbed his jaw, his gaze moving across the sky, following the flight of the peregrine. “I’ve seen the bird every day, Galen. It has to be connected to Deirdre regardless of what Quinn said.”

  “One battle at a time. We send the MacClures and wyrran back to Deirdre, and then we can capture the falcon.”

  “Speaking of the MacClures, Broc just returned from his shadowing of our attackers. Look.”

  Galen raised his gaze to see a dark mass plummet from the clouds. Broc’s large, dark wings were folded against his body for more speed.

  Broc flew over the bailey and yelled, “They’ve come!”

  Galen unleashed his god in the next heartbeat. He flexed his hand, his claws scraping the stones. After a shared glance with Logan, they jumped from the battlement to the ground outside the castle wall.

  Galen wanted to be the first to encounter their attackers. Several of the Warriors were spread over the land, with the remaining Warriors on the battlement waiting to stop anyone or anything from getting inside the castle.

  The MacLeods stood sentry at the castle. They were the last defense for the Druids, and Galen knew the brothers wouldn’t allow anyone to pass.

  The only Druid who wasn’t hidden with the others was Isla. She stood with Hayden at the top of the south tower in case the shield needed to be lowered to allow the Druids inside.

  Now, with the MacClures nearly upon them, Galen was surprised Hayden hadn’t carried Isla to the dungeons himself. He was very protective of his woman, as was evidenced in the way he stood in front of her, blocking her from potential attacks.

  Broc continued his flight, alerting them to the MacClures’ movements and how quickly they approached. “They come on the right. Be prepared!”

  “Let the battle begin,” Logan murmured.

  Galen followed Logan’s gaze and spotted the MacClures as they guided their horses toward the edge of the shield. They rode on the right-hand side of the village just as Broc had said they would. Galen took a step toward the MacClures, only to halt at Broc’s shout.

  “The Druids!”

  Galen paused. On the other side of the village was a group of Druids running toward them. They were screaming, calling out for Sonya. And just as they had all feared, the wyrran took notice and started toward them.

  “Shite,” Galen said, and looked back at the castle. “Lower the shield!”

  Fallon gave a nod to Isla. A breath later, magic passed over Galen as Isla removed the shield.

  “Get the Druids to the castle,” Galen told Logan as the MacClures gave a battle cry and charged.

  Galen was ready. His god rose up inside him, bellowed his rage, and demanded blood, demanded casualties. Galen had no doubt all their gods would be appeased this day.

  He dodged a sword from his first attacker and knocked the MacClure off his mount. Galen had no desire to kill the horses in an attempt to unseat their attackers, but he would if necessary.

  Before the MacClure could roll to his knees, Galen had jumped on his back and jerked his head to the side, breaking the man’s neck.

  More MacClures raced toward Galen. The ground shook with the thunder of hoofbeats. The horses shied away from the wyrran who ran among them, causing the MacClures to spend vast amounts of energy and time bringing their mounts under control.

  Galen used it to his advantage, leaping from horse to horse and killing the men before they even knew what was happening.

  For the first time Galen embraced his god. He let the thoughts and feelings that rushed through him each time he touched a MacClure or their horses feed his god. Galen’s only thought was to decimate the MacClures so they would leave. The wyrran could easily be taken care of once the mortals were gone.

  And to his surprise, he began to stop experiencing the emotions of others. Soon, he was touching them and feeling nothing. But with just a thought, he could be in their minds.

  Finally — finally! — after two hundred and fifty years he was learning to control his god. All he had needed to do was embrace his power.

  Galen threw back his head and roared after killing another MacClure. When he looked up it was to find Hayden shooting fire from his hands not far from Galen.

  It caused the horses to rear in fear, sending their riders tumbling to the ground where Ramsey waited to kill them.

  *

  Reaghan wrapped her arms around her middle and tried to act calm for Braden’s benefit. Even though they all tried to laugh and talk about mundane things, the boy could sense their apprehension.

  “We need to help them,” Braden said.

  Cara knelt in front of him and smiled. “Braden, the Warriors don’t need us. We would only be in the way.”

  “Nay,” he said. “They could be injured. They need us.”

  “Braden, please,” Fiona said, and pulled him into her la
p.

  Odara helped Fiona to soothe Braden and after a moment he relaxed in his mother’s arms.

  Reaghan took a deep breath and tried not to think about Galen. He had brought her to the dungeons hours before dawn. The others had already been here, and as soon as she was inside, the door was shut and Larena stood guard.

  No matter how hard she strained her ears, Reaghan could hear nothing. They sat in silence, the two candles giving off limited light as they waited and hoped for Braden to fall asleep.

  Reaghan wasn’t sure how much time passed before Cara let out a small sigh and whispered, “Both Fiona and Braden are asleep.”

  Marcail moved to the door and pressed her ear against it. “I can hear nothing yet.”

  “You will,” Cara said.

  The longer Reaghan waited, the more frayed her nerves became. And then, they heard the roar of the Warriors.

  Reaghan’s heart tumbled to her feet and her skin grew clammy. They could hear the pounding of horse’s hooves, the shouts of the MacClures. And the shrieks of the wyrran.

  Marcail sat with her hand on her stomach and her eyes closed. Cara had an arm around Marcail’s shoulders, offering what little comfort she could.

  Sonya was on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chest and her forehead resting on them. She hadn’t spoken a word since Reaghan had entered the dungeon.

  “Sonya,” she said.

  The red-haired Druid lifted her head, her amber eyes red from her tears.

  “Your sister will be safe. I know Broc and the others will see that it’s so.”

  A single tear fell from Sonya’s eye. “I pray you are right.”

  Suddenly, Odara let out a strangled cry, her hand over her heart. Reaghan rushed to the elder. “What is it? Odara, tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Let me,” Sonya said, and laid a gentle hand on Reaghan’s shoulder.

  Reaghan hurried to move out of the way and allow Sonya room. Odara’s face began to turn red as she struggled to take in a breath.

  “It’s her heart,” Sonya said.