by Dee, Bonnie
“Good. I’ll enhance its healing properties. Cull, fill that bowl and bring it here. Ma’an, find some material and rip up strips for bandages and squares for compresses. Torc, Father, hold Ethan down while Gabe pulls out the rest of the wood.”
Dagda’s laughter filled the cave. “See, she’s like a general ordering her troops. Follow her commands, men, or she’ll have your hide.”
For one brief moment the tension was relieved. Ethan’s louder moans soon brought them back to reality.
The men rushed to obey her.
“Can you do it with one quick pull?” Brigid asked Gabe.
“Yes.”
Dagda and Torc positioned themselves at Ethan’s head and legs. Trembling, Brigid watched as Gabe, with one mighty heave, drew out the sharp stake.
Blood gushed from the wound and she let it run freely for a moment, as it cleansed the wicked looking gash. She dipped her fingers briefly in the copper basin of water, enhancing its healing powers, then carefully removed the last of the dirt and debris and packed a soft, damp, clean compress into the wound. She bound it up with a bandage and secured it. Brigid cleansed the dirt from his head wound, replacing the old compress with a new one, and washed the myriad of small and large gashes, scratches and abrasions scattered all over his body.
Basin after basin of water was replaced as it became filthy with blood, fine gravel, wood chips and sawdust. The pile of rags grew as Brigid replaced a dirty one with a clean one. Finally, the task was done and she sank to her knees by the bed.
“Rest now, darling.” Gabe took the last rag from her hands. “You’ve worn yourself to the bone.”
“I can’t. How can I? He’s still scarcely breathing. We need to do more than this.”
“Let him sleep. You need rest. You’ve drained yourself of all energy,” Gabe chastised her. He raised her to her feet, holding her up as she sagged in his arms. He lifted her up and turned to Dagda. “We need a bed. Is there some place quiet where she can lie down?”
“Aye. There’s a small chamber off to the side.” He spoke softly. “’Tis where Roisin slept.”
Gabe carried her where Dagda directed. A plain, linen curtain shielded the alcove from the rest of the cave, but as soon as they entered it, it was as if a wall of silence separated them from the other room. A simple, wooden chair and table with a candle on it, a narrow bed and one small, battered chest were the only furnishings. Gabe laid Brigid in the bed and her eyes drifted open.
“Where are we? It’s so quiet in here.”
“Still in the cave. Dagda offered us this room for you to get some rest. It’s as if there’s some sort of sound barrier between it and the rest of the cave.”
He lit the candle and drew off his shirt. He shook it out and splinters of wood and dust danced in the air, but amazingly, the shirt was in fairly good shape. He examined it with disbelief. “Unbelieveable. It’s hardly torn and I have barely a scratch on me. And Ethan…”
He raised his head and looked toward the bed. Brigid’s eyes had closed once more. Her even breathing whispered in the room. He smiled and went back over to her. He shifted her so he could pull off her jeans and tugged them off without her waking up. He covered her with the soft, bleached linen sheet folded at the foot of the bed, crouched by her side, and stroked her hair.
“Rest, sweetheart. Ethan is tough. He’s a Terran; we take a lot of killing. Rest. And when you awake, we’ll take care of Nolen. Sleep, my love.”
He placed a kiss on her forehead, left the room and went back into the main chamber. He stared at Ethan’s unmoving body. The clean linen sheet rose and fell imperceptibly with his shallow breaths. Pain still etched lines in his brow.
Gabe turned to Dagda. “Do you think he’ll be all right? I’m not a healer.”
“His color has improved and his breathing is easier. With his Terran healing ability, I think he’ll soon be well. When he awakes. If he awakes.”
Gabe swore under his breath.
Logic dictated that they leave Ethan behind. He was safe and would get better care here with Dagda than in any normal hospital. But he knew Brigid wouldn’t be happy if he made the decision without her. They’d have to give Ethan a chance to at least wake up. But there would be a deadline. He spoke abruptly. “Brigid’s already asleep. Nolen has a vast lead on us. If Ethan doesn’t wake up when she does, or if his condition doesn’t improve any, we’ll have to leave without him.”
Dagda agreed. “You must do what is best. Meanwhile, sit. Eat. Regain some of your own strength.”
Gabe shook his head, sat down and opened up his laptop, praying that its enhanced capability to connect with the nearest hot spot would work. He held his breath as the screen blinked on.
Dagda, Torc, Cull and Ma’an gaped. They hovered behind him, peering over his shoulder as words and pictures crawled across the small, flat square.
“What is that?” Dagda asked.
“A long range device that communicates by text, pictures and sounds. I’m going to try and touch base with KOTE.”
Gabe pulled up the site and punched in the password that would get him access to restricted areas. He looked at his watch. It was still early. He punched in the code that would direct his message to Claire.
And cursed aloud as the screen came up Emergency Directive. Code Talisman in effect.
“Damn! Something big must be going down somewhere. Looks like we’re on our own for now.”
“Good.” Dagda plunked down a bowl of stew in front of Gabe and held out a spoon. “Eat. You’ll be of little use to Brigid and Ethan if you are also weak. When they awake, you’ll go on with your task.”
“You win.” Gabe chuckled. “I see now where Brigid gets her bossy streak. But you’re right. Once she gets some rest and Ethan awakes, we can assess the situation better.”
Gabe took the spoon and dug in.
And Brigid and Ethan slept.
* * * *
Brigid murmured in her sleep and rolled over. She opened her eyes, disoriented for a moment with her surroundings. Then the events of the past few hours came crashing back and she moaned and closed her eyes again.
“Bridge, are you awake?”
She heard Gabe’s concerned voice and felt his hand brush away the strands of hair that had fallen across her face while she slept. For another precious moment she pretended they were back in New York in their townhouse. If only.
She opened her eyes, facing reality and Gabe’s worried face. “I’m awake. Did I sleep long?”
“No.” He smiled. “And before you ask, Ethan is resting easier now. We’re going to let him sleep another hour, then try to wake him. We’ll decide on the next step then.”
She shifted to a sitting position and rubbed her neck, wincing at the tenseness in her muscles.
Gabe was behind her in a flash, sitting part way on the bed. He placed his hands on her shoulders, gently kneading them. “Do you want one of my special massages, babe?”
Brigid smiled. She knew where those special massages usually led. “Do we have time for a … special massage?”
His breath whispered across the back of her neck, sending tingles down her spine. “Ethan is sleeping. The three guys are sleeping. Dagda is playing solitaire on the laptop. KOTE is unavailable for now.” He kissed the nape of her neck. “Yeah. We have time.”
She slid down until she was on her belly, her face at the foot of the narrow bed. She rose up on her elbows and turned to look back at Gabe with smoky eyes. “Let’s skip the massage.”
Gabe stood. His eyes never leaving hers, he took off his shirt and toed off his loafers. He pulled down his slacks and underwear and his cock sprang free. He moved to the bed and straddled her.
“Lift up. Let me take off your panties.” He pulled them down, lingering for a moment as he revealed her creamy, rounded ass. He sucked in his breath and bent to kiss her smooth skin. He separated her cheeks and inserted a finger.
She moaned.
“Like that, huh?”
“
Oh, yes.”
He slipped the tiny piece of silk down her legs and shoved it under the pillow. He leaned over her and grabbed the hem of her shirt, hesitating for a second. “I hope Dagda kept some of Roisin’s clothes, because you’re going to need something else to wear.”
He ripped the shirt in two, baring her slim back. “God, Brigid, you’re so fucking beautiful. Turn over. I want to see your face.”
She turned, shrugged off the remnants of her shirt, and raised her arms to him. She licked her lips and arched her hips so his cock grazed the blonde curls between her thighs. Her voice was a throaty murmur as she spoke to him. “Make love to me. Now.”
God, I love him! How can I love him and Ethan? How can I make a choice between them? I can’t. Not now. Now, now it’s just Gabe and me. Here in this bed and I’m going to enjoy every single minute!
Gabe was hard and thick but she knew that he would fit her like a glove. She knew his length and just how deep he would go before he pulled out and then thrust in even deeper. She knew just how taut and firm his butt was as he clenched and unclenched his muscles while he moved within her.
She knew how good he made her feel. And she loved him for that.
Then he shifted and rose above her. “Take me in your mouth, babe. Let’s see how deep you can take me.”
This was different. She never went down on him this early in their lovemaking. In fact, she always felt as if he treated her lips on his cock as his reward for making her come.
Did he have any more surprises in store for her?
She could only hope.
He maneuvered her until she was in a totally different position, one guaranteed to enable her to take even more of him than ever before. And then he began to move.
She swirled her tongue up and down his penis, relishing the salty taste, and sucked greedily. She fondled his butt as she held onto him. His fingers tangled in her hair as if to keep her in that position.
As if she wanted to leave!
His fingers tightened, pulling her hair almost painfully as he thrust faster and faster. He came with a triumphant cry as she swallowed every drop of his cum.
“Your turn now, darling. Let’s see how many times I can make you climax.” He grinned wickedly. “Shall we try to break our former record?”
Brigid tossed her hair away from her face and laughed. “Why not? Let’s go for it.”
And for one fleeting moment, they only remembered their love for each other.
And forgot the evil waiting for them.
Chapter Eleven
1st May—Dawn
“Ouch!”
“Sorry, babe. Your hair got stuck in my watch.”
Even as Gabe carefully untangled Brigid’s hair, he took advantage of the opportunity to admire the slope of her shoulder and the fullness of her breasts. The thin sheet covering her had slid down to her waist revealing the curve of her spine.
Sometimes it hurt just to look at her, he loved her so much.
“What time is it?” She gathered the sheet around her body as she knelt by the small chest at the foot of the bed. “I bet there’s something in here I can wear.” She opened the lid. “Ah! I knew it.”
Gabe watched as she dropped the sheet and rummaged through the chest’s contents. Her smooth ass lifted as she leaned further over, digging deeper. He ached to take her again as he had earlier. Didn’t she know what she was doing to him?
So, it looked like she was going to ignore their lovemaking. But then, why should she make anything of it? It wasn’t as if they hadn’t had sex on a regular basis before—after all, they were married. Shit, this wasn’t the time to dwell on the depth of her feelings for him. Better find out what was happening in the other chamber.
“It’s almost dawn. Let’s see if Ethan’s awake. What we do next depends upon his condition.” He picked up his clothes and dressed quickly as Brigid continued to delve in the chest.
He pulled back the curtain and paused. “Bridge, join me as soon as you finish dressing.”
And the curtain swung closed behind him.
*
“Shit.”
So, he’s not going to say anything about the new and sexier Gabe Kawsantower?
There’s something about this place that seems to have abolished his restraints.
She checked the love bruises on her body and the aches she felt in some new places. She could count on one hand the number of times Gabe had held her so tightly he’d left marks. It excited and scared her at the same time.
God, what a bloody mess.
She slammed the chest shut. Her personal life was going to have to wait.
She scrambled to dress, retrieving her underwear and jeans under the pillow. The thigh-length tunic she’d found would do for a top.
Now, to join the others.
And she threw back the curtain.
* * * *
“Damn it, I’m no invalid! My shoulder feels amazingly bloody damn good and my head feels fine. I’ll be ready to leave any time we have to.”
In the past half hour since Ethan had awoken, his arm had been placed in a sling, the compress to his head wound removed; he had eaten a bowl of Dagda’s stew and drunk several cups of the water enhanced by Brigid. He now wore a garment similar to Dagda’s and was sitting up in an armchair by the table, fidgeting.
And complaining.
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit on the sidelines while you and Brigid go off after Nolen and his Dublin bully boy! And who knows if he has those hellish dogs with him!”
“Be reasonable, man. You’re still not up to full strength. Yes, your Terran healing powers are a damn sight better than a human’s, but you’re one-armed for the moment. How would you protect yourself if we get into a fight?”
Ethan’s lips thinned. “Shall I show you?” He took a deep breath and sang to Gabe. “That dagger that lies near your hand, take it and, by my command, point it firmly at your heart, my will is stronger, yours shall depart. Strike, when I shall tell you so. Ready? One, two…”
“Stop!” Brigid grabbed at Gabe’s hand as it grasped the dagger and aimed it toward his chest. She turned blazing eyes at Ethan. “Let him go. You’ve proved your point.”
“As you wish.” He directed his voice to Gabe. “Your will’s your own, yours alone.”
The dagger clattered to the table and Gabe launched himself at Ethan, knocking down him and the chair. He stood over him as Ethan lay on the floor, grimacing in pain. “Don’t ever do that to me again! All right, you’ve more than made your case. Keep your mouth shut and direct your talents toward Nolen. I’m going to try to contact KOTE again.”
He picked up his laptop and stalked off toward the cave entrance.
Brigid knelt by Ethan, offering him a hand.
“Leave me alone!” He righted the chair, leaning on it while he got up. “Did he really think I would have him kill himself?” He looked at Brigid. “Did you think I would do such a thing?”
“They’ve never seen a Singer use his talent before, Ethan,” Dagda said. “It’s why Nolen feared you so much. He knew no way of deflecting your power. If he had known of such a spell, he would have used it.”
Ethan smiled grimly. “Hopefully, he still doesn’t know one. I’ll apologize to Gabe later, but Brigid, I’m sorry if I…”
“No. I should have trusted you. I know you. Gabe doesn’t.”
“Thank you. Your trust means a lot to me.” He glanced around the chamber. “When Brigid and I first came here, I left my backpack. Did you see it, Dagda?”
“Aye. I put it away for safe keeping.” He opened up one of the chests and drew it out. “Here.”
“My thanks.”
Ethan opened the pack and dragged out a pair of much-creased jeans and a T-shirt. “Excellent! I always keep a spare in case I get too filthy at a dig.” He looked over to Brigid. “Turn your head away for a moment, please.” He pulled on the jeans one-handed and grumbled with frustration. “Damn, I’ll have to leave off the T-shirt. Oh, we
ll, the tunic will have to do at present. You can turn around now, Brigid.”
“Darn, I missed the striptease.”
“Next time.” Ethan took out his laptop and examined it. No pings or dings marred its case. “I know it worked in the Warrior Cave. It should work here.”
Dagda and the three men clustered around the screen as it brightened and a picture of Lucy Lawless as Xena, the Warrior Princess, appeared.
“Be she your lover?” Ma’am whispered in awe.
Ethan laughed. “Hardly.”
Brigid snorted. “Little bit dorky of you, Ethan.”
Cull turned to Dagda. “Dorky? I know not this word.”
Dagda shrugged. “Nor do I.”
“Childish.” Brigid smirked. “A young boy’s wet dream.”
“Ah.” Torc grinned. “Then she is available for a full grown man.”
“She’s an actress and I’m pretty sure she’s married. Shall we do something useful? Like figuring out how and where Nolen may be getting out of Ireland?” Brigid pulled over a chair and sat next to him. “Let me type. It can’t be any good for your shoulder.” Ethan opened his mouth and Brigid laid her hand on his lips, silencing his objections. “Now, don’t be an idiot. We don’t have time for you to go all macho on me.”
Ma’an nudged Cull. “What did she say to him? I can’t understand this new language she speaks.”
Cull shrugged. “She’s speaking in some sort of code. I have no idea what ‘macho’ means.”
Dagda laughed. “I think I can guess. It means acting like a bull-headed male.”
Cull and Ma’an looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
“Here.” Ethan shoved the laptop over to Brigid. “Type away.”
“I doubt he’d rely on regular airlines,” she said. “He’d want to be more in control and have less interaction with people he’d consider hired lackeys.”
Ethan smacked the table with his left hand. “Of course! He’d use a private airfield.”
“And he may even have his own plane. Are there any private airfields in the area?”
“I’m not sure. Let’s see what we can find.”
With Ethan’s assistance, they accessed a thankfully small list. After taking into account the probability that the field would need to be large enough for a private jet, the list became that much smaller.