by Donna Grant
"Aye,” he whispered. “That's it. Drink for me."
The next time he moved his finger to her lips, she opened for him. So instead of tracing her lips, he let the water drip into her mouth. Next, he again lifted her head and brought the cup to her lips were he let the water slowly slide into her mouth.
He stopped when nearly half of it was gone and sat back to regard the woman. Something nagged at the back of his mind, something that he should remember. The more he stared at her, the more he wondered why the Gryphon hadn't killed her.
"What stopped the creature?” he murmured aloud. “Did you say something?” He shook his head. “Not possible. Not with the marks around your neck. It had to have been something else."
As soon as he said the words he realized the only thing that could control the beast was the blue stones. Only the blue stones could call up the creatures, and whoever held the blue stone controlled it.
With his heart thumping in his chest, Val pulled the blankets off the woman. As much as he loved looking at a woman's body, his gaze searched for something more precious.
He lifted first one arm, then the other, examining every piece of skin. He repeated it with her legs. When he was satisfied that it wasn't on her front, he gently turned her away from him onto her side.
His gaze searched the back of her neck, down her back to her hips. And that's when he saw it, the symbol of a triangle with interlocking knotwork encircled by a thick dark band. He ran his hand over her round bottom and touched the symbol that rested just on the swell of one firm buttock.
"The fourth Chosen one,” he whispered. He stared at the symbol a moment longer before he lowered her onto her back and recovered her with the blankets.
No sooner had he lifted the cup to her mouth, than Gabriel came in and shook the snow from himself.
"Hell, it's cold,” he grumbled. “You would know it would begin to snow as soon as I left to search."
"Did you find it?"
Gabriel nodded as Val rose and moved so Gabriel could finish his mixing. “The water I mixed for her will help heal her throat from the inside, but I needed this special herb,” he said and held up what looked like a wilted flower, “to add to the other ingredients to finish helping her warm."
"I got half the water down her."
"Good,” Gabriel said, his head bent over his herbs. Suddenly he looked up and narrowed his gaze at Val. “What is it?"
"She's one of the Chosen."
"Are you sure?"
Val nodded. “I found the symbol myself."
"Show me."
Val knelt on the other side of the woman and turned her to face him, then pulled back the blanket so Gabriel could see the symbol. When Gabriel sat back with a sigh, Val once again covered her.
"We need to call to Aimery so he can move her out of here,” Val said.
"I agree. Let me tend to her first,” Gabriel said.
Val walked to the opening of the cave and looked out over the dark, snow-covered village. “As soon as the woman leaves, we should search for the Gryphon."
"You've the right of it."
"If the great evil is able to locate the Chosen ones before the Fae, then who is to say they won't track all four women to Stone Crest?” Val asked.
He turned to face Gabriel to find his friend regarding him silently.
"What do you suppose?"
"We kill the creature before Aimery takes the woman. If the evil doesn't know we don't have her, then that gives the other Shields more time to prepare."
Gabriel sighed. “We should send the woman to safety, but how do we know Stone Crest is safe?"
"Exactly,” Val said as he walked back to the fire. “We only need four of the Chosen to end the evil. We now have the fourth, but if we leave now, the Gryphon will follow."
"Yet, with all the Shields reunited again, we can kill it easily."
Val ran a hand down his face. “I know,” he said softly. “I just have this feeling that we need to battle the Gryphon here. Now."
For long moments Gabriel stared at him before giving a curt nod. “Your instincts have never failed us before, Val. I'll follow them, but if it looks like we won't make it, promise we'll call to Aimery and have him take her."
"You have my vow.” He thought of the Fae commander and knew they needed to update him. “Aimery,” he called.
In a blink the Fae was standing beside him. His gaze swept the cave and came to rest on the woman. “Who is she?"
"She's one of the Chosen,” Val said.
Aimery's mystical blue gaze swung to him. “You already found her?"
"Aye,” Gabriel said. “And the creature."
Aimery looked from Gabriel to Val. “Is the creature dead?"
Val shook his head. “Nay, the Gryphon isn't dead."
"What?” Aimery said and stepped back. “Surely you're mistaken. It couldn't have been a Gryphon, they are pure creatures."
"Not this one,” Gabriel said. “I saw it with my own eyes, Aimery. He was evil."
Aimery clasped his hands behind his back. “No where in history has a Gryphon ever turned evil."
"It just means the great evil has grown stronger,” Val said.
"It means much more than that,” Aimery murmured.
Gabriel stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “What is that supposed to mean? We found the fourth Chosen one. They can now defeat the great evil."
As soon as Val saw Aimery sigh, he knew something was wrong. He stepped closer to the Fae commander. “What is it, Aimery?"
The Fae's unusual blue gaze rose to Val's. “It takes evil of the purest form to turn a Gryphon, something no evil has been able to do. And if the great evil was able to track the Chosen then...."
"He'll track Mina, Elle and Shannon to Stone Crest,” Gabriel finished.
Aimery nodded. “They aren't safe there. Not yet."
"Why not?” Val demanded.
"I never expected the evil to gain so much power. If he attacks Stone Crest now, all is lost."
"And how do you know he hasn't already?” Gabriel asked.
Aimery tsked. “My soldiers would have alerted me. As it is, I'm wasting time. I must go and alert the other Sheilds before it's too late. You'll have to keep this woman here with you.” His gaze turned to Val. “Keep her safe,” he said just before he disappeared.
"Your instinct was right,” Gabriel said.
Val shook his head. “Not exactly. I've not seen Aimery so worried since the Shields were first formed."
"Aye. We all thought this would be finished as soon as we found the fourth Chosen one. None of us counted on the sudden growth in power from the great evil."
* * * *
"You better have a good explanation,” the voice reverberated around him.
He looked down at his claws and barely recalled a time when they had been something different. Fear should have made him answer quickly, but instead of fear, all he felt was lost.
"Answer me,” the voice bellowed.
He raised his head. His sharp eyes looked around him at the dank, dark room. Some would say he was in Hell, but only he knew the truth. He was in a much worse place than Hell.
"You called me back here,” he lied to the voice.
Suddenly blood red eyes appeared in front of him and he felt a force throw him back. Instantly he spread his wings to help stop him before he hit the wall, but he wasn't quick enough and slammed into the jagged stones. Pain ripped through his back.
"Do not lie to me.” The words were bitten out, as if the voice was about to lose control. “You forget I know all."
Slowly he righted himself and folded his now bloodied wings against him. “Send another creature."
"Nay,” the voice whispered in his ear. “I want them to know just how powerful I am. You will kill the girl."
He turned away from the presence that now surrounded him. He would return immediately and kill the girl while she was unconscious so that he wouldn't have to look into her violet eyes again.
> "I'll leave now."
"No,” the voice said louder. “You will wait. Let them think you have given up."
He turned back to the presence. “You keep saying ‘them'. Who are you referring to?"
"The Shields."
He had heard whispers of The Shields, great warriors from different times and realms aided by the Fae to thwart the great evil. He quickly left the room before the voice could say more.
For the first time in ages he found hope.
Chapter Three
Nicole fought to stay in the darkness as long as she could. Several times she heard voices, voices of men she didn't recognize and it frightened her. Where was she and who was it that held her captive?
She didn't want to wake and see the Gryphon staring down at her again with its evil yellow eyes. Just the thought of the beast sent a chill through her.
"She's waking."
The masculine voice was very near her, and despite her attempt to stay unconscious, she found her eyes opening. The first thing she saw was the ceiling of what looked like a cave. She felt a presence beside her and slowly moved her eyes to her right to see man staring at her with interested pale green eyes.
"They're violet,” she heard him say.
She was about to ask him what he meant when she felt another presence. She turned her head to the left and saw another man, this one with eyes the color of silver watching her intently.
"Welcome back,” he said. “How does your throat feel?"
Nicole tried to swallow and felt only a small twinge of pain. She nodded and watched the man as he continued to mix something in a bowl.
"This is for you,” the man with the silver eyes said.
"Forgive our manners,” the other man said, the one with the most beautiful pale green eyes. “I'm Val and that is Gabriel. We found you floating in the loch and brought you here."
She closed her eyes, suddenly very weary. She should be grateful to the men for saving her, but it only prolonged the inevitable.
"You shouldn't have,” she whispered as she looked at the man nearest her.
Val leaned close and peered at her with his pale green eyes, his light brown hair falling over his shoulder. “And why is that?"
"I was meant to die."
"I don't believe that,” he said.
She looked closer at him and noted the unusual quality of his clothing. At first glance his leather pants, green tunic and leather jerkin looked plain, common, but they weren't the usual fabric peasants, or even noblemen, wore. His light brown hair hung loose about his face falling to just past his shoulders, accentuating his pale green eyes against his tanned skin. His jaw was strong, nose aristocratic, and his mouth wide and firm.
"Do you have a name?” he asked.
She swallowed. “Nicole."
Val smiled, showing even white teeth. “Nice to meet you, Nicole."
"You can charm her later, Val,” Gabriel interrupted. “I need to finish."
When Val rose and moved aside, Nicole found her eyes following him. Though he had an easy smile, she saw the sadness lurking in his eyes.
"Can you sit up?” Val asked her.
Nicole jerked her attention to Gabriel. She moved her arm out of the blankets to sit up and saw her bare skin. Immediately she realized she was naked beneath the blankets.
"Don't be alarmed,” Val said. “We had to get you out of your wet clothes before you froze to death. I give you my word we did not touch you."
With each hand gripping the blanket to her, she slowly sat up. As soon as she did Val wrapped another blanket around her.
"When you are up to it, we have clothes for you,” Gabriel said as he handed her a cup of water.
She gratefully took the water, but after one drink realized it was much more than just water. “What did you put in it?"
"Herbs to help heal your throat. I also have a salve for your skin to help fade and heal the bruises."
Her hand moved to touch her throat. She didn't understand why the Gryphon hadn't killed her. “You said you found me in the water?"
Val moved to sit on her left. “Aye, right after the Gryphon nearly killed you."
"Did you frighten him away?” she asked before drinking more of the sweet water.
"We would have killed him,” Gabriel answered. “He left on his own."
"You said earlier that you were supposed to die. What did you mean?” Val asked.
Nicole looked into the cup in her hand and wondered how much to tell them. They didn't seem too upset at seeing a Gryphon, but she didn't trust them yet. She would have to be careful.
"The Gryphon chose me. I was supposed to die."
Val knew she was lying. She was keeping something from them, just as they were keeping things from her. If they all wanted to survive this, they had to speak freely.
His gaze caught Gabriel's as his friend moved to apply the salve to Nicole's throat. Val watched as she leaned her head back, exposing her slender throat discolored by ugly bruises. By tomorrow, the bruises would nearly be gone thanks to Gabriel's healing abilities.
"Is anything else hurt?” Gabriel asked as he finished.
She shook her head and drank more of the water. “You aren't from here."
Val loved the sound of her lilt and the peculiar way she spoke her words. “Nay,” he answered. “We're not."
"Where are you from?"
Val glanced at Gabriel who looked up from his herbs long enough to shrug. Val looked back at Nicole to find her watching him. “We're from lands very far from here."
"Why did you come here? This village is small and Laird MacNamara is on his death bed."
"We are searching for something,” Gabriel answered. “A blue stone about the size of a child's fist. Have you seen it?"
Her brows furrowed at his words. “Nay, and in this small village, everyone knows everything. So, if anyone had it, I would have heard of such a stone."
"What about the lord you spoke of?” Val asked.
She shrugged. “Usually the servants that work the castle like to talk, so I would imagine word would have spread by now. Is this stone very valuable?"
"In a manner."
She licked her lips and set aside the now empty cup. “Would it be all right if I dressed now?"
Val rose to his feet and waited for Gabriel to do the same before he said, “Of course. We'll wait outside the entrance while you change."
Once outside, Val turned to Gabriel. “She's lying about the Gryphon."
"I know,” Gabriel said. “She doesn't trust us, but, then again, we've given her no reason to."
Val scratched his neck as he thought over their options. “I'm not sure we should tell her everything yet."
"We can't wait. You know as well as I that Aimery can't shift her through time unless she's willing."
Val knew from first hand experience. He recalled Roderick's feeling of despair when Elle refused to go with Aimery to safety while the Harpies were after them.
"In a day or so,” Val said. “We're strangers and she was nearly killed tonight."
Gabriel nodded just as Nicole called out that she was dressed. When they returned to the cave, Val walked to the fire to warm his hands.
"Tell me,” he said, “has the Gryphon come to your village before tonight?"
He watched as Nicole shifted from one foot to the other, her arms folded over her waist as she gazed into the fire avoiding their gazes. “Nay. Never."
"Drink this,” Gabriel said and handed her the wooden cup again.
She peered inside and sniffed it. “What is it now?"
"It will help to continue warming you. It's hot, so be careful."
Val shook his head in irritation and turned away. Never had he felt so helpless and frustrated. The fourth Chosen one was found. They should be rejoicing and ending the great evil, not sitting around in the cold Highlands waiting for the Gryphon to return for her. For return he would.
"Val,” Gabriel snapped.
He jerked around to find
Gabriel and Nicole staring at him. “What is it?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing. I called your name three times."
Val sighed. “I was lost in thought. What did you need?"
"I think we need to return Nicole to her home. This cave won't keep her warm after her swim in the loch."
"Nay,” Nicole all but yelled.
Val stepped toward her, his gaze narrowed. “Why? Why don't you want to return home?"
"I cannot return,” she answered. “If I did.... I just cannot."
Gabriel rose to stand next to Val. “I think we're going to need more of an explanation than that."
"It's all I can give you,” she said then hastily drank the last of the concoction Gabriel had handed her. She held out the cup. “Thank you for helping me, but maybe it's best if you two leave. I'll be fine here."
Val raised a brow at her. “Actually, this is where we're living."
"There's a small cottage near the loch. It's now empty. Use it."
"You mean it's now empty because you're here,” Gabriel said.
Her violet eyes grew wild as she stepped away from them. “Please. You don't understand."
"Easy,” Val said as he held out his hands. “We're here to help, Nicole. You've had a very trying night. Maybe some sleep is just what you need. Things will look different in the morning."
She shook her head and wiped at her eyes. “Nay, they won't."
Out of the corner of his eye Val saw Gabriel began to walk slowly toward Nicole. Upon closer inspection, he saw Nicole's eyes blink several times as if she couldn't focus. Since he was closer to Nicole, he moved toward her. Just as he reached her, she collapsed into his arms.
He sighed and lifted her to carry her back to her pallet. “Why didn't you tell me you had drugged her?"
Gabriel chuckled. “There wasn't time. She needs the rest and we need to keep her near us."
"It was good thinking. Did you see the way her eyes went wild? Why is it so important that she die? And by the Gryphon?” After he laid Nicole on the pallet, he covered her then stood.
Gabriel shrugged. “We won't know until she tells us."
Val reached and took hold of his halberd. “I'll take the first watch."
It wasn't until he was seated near the cave entrance well away from Gabriel and the fire that he allowed himself to let his weariness show.