Even In Darkness (Between) (21 page)

Chapter 24

The next morn, Lindsey convinced her parents to tour the town of Kirkwall by themselves, insisting that we were on our honeymoon and needed time alone. The knowing smirk her mother threw in my direction made me squirm in my boots, but ‘twas the only way to distance ourselves long enough to go about our business unfettered.

I’ll not lie. I was nervous. I’d not slept much at all the night before—and not for the reasons Mrs. Waters believed—and I could not force much breakfast down my throat, though Lindsey’s father went back to the buffet twice, more than ma
king up for my lack of appetite.

Lindsey was more excited than nervous, I could tell by the messages she kept sending me, and I endeavored to frame my thoughts to match hers. She’d had something of a spiritual experience at the Broch of Gurness and seemed unnaturally at peace about what was to come. I wish I could say the same.

We were without transportation, as Lindsey’s parents had taken the vehicle, so the hotel manager called a taxi for us. Another first for me. Truth be told, it would have been easier to count what was familiar than to track everything that was new.

The MacRaes of my brother’s blood lived naught but a few minutes’ drive out of town, in a small stone house situated at the far edge of a ring of standing stones. At the sight of the massive grey circle jutting toward heaven, I felt my stomach turn over.

Willie’s pocket watch burned against my skin, an ominous sign if ever there was one. I opened my mouth to tell Lindsey that something was wrong, that we should turn back, when the taxi pulled to a stop and she jumped out.

Clenching my fists so tightly
they started to go numb, I took a deep breath and prayed to my Lord in heaven for strength. Every hair on my body stood at attention and I was no longer nervous.

I was afraid.

Something terrible lurked in the air around us. The energy drew such a visceral reaction from me that I found myself beginning to crouch into a battle position, my hand moving to my sword without conscious thought. But my sword was not there. How had I come to such a place as this without any defense? My Uncle William would have beaten me about the head for being so foolish.

Lindsey felt none of this. Excitement fairly glowed on her beautiful face, and I allowed myself to be led toward the dwelling, despite the warning that sounded in my bones.
The sky suddenly darkened overhead to a charcoal, roiling mass that pelted us with hail the size of my thumb. We ran for shelter and came to a great weather-worn wooden door with an iron knocker. On the stone steps sat a pot with the remains of a plant that had long ago succumbed to the unforgiving elements. ‘Twas almost like seeing a traitor’s skull impaled on the fence spikes surrounding a castle. The message was clear: Beware All Who Dare To Enter.

Though the hail threatened behind us, I felt myself drawing back, but Lindsey reached out and rapped solidly on the door, announcing our presence to whomever—or whatever—lie within. In the breaths that followed, I considered a thousand ways I could convince her of our need to leave, then the door swung open to reveal an angelic-faced wee lass who could not have been more than four or five years if she was a day.

She stared at me with grey, elfin eyes, saying nothing, the paper stick from a candy sucker protruding from her mouth. And though the terrible pressure in the air increased, I could not help but be drawn into her sweet face. Squatting on my haunches, I smiled at her.

“We
ll, hallo there. Is your Da at home? If so, would ye be so kind as to fetch him? He’s got visitors: Aiden and Lindsey MacRae, come to pay our respects.”

At the mention of my name, her tiny pink mouth dropped open and her lollipop fell to the floor. And then, before I quite knew what
was happening, she let out a bloodcurdling scream and disappeared inside the house, leaving the door open wide.

Lindsey and I barely had time to glance at each other in amazement before a man appeared in her wake. Disheveled and looking as though he’d just been torn from his slumber, he glared at us. Hair like a copper penny stuck out all over his head as he leveled me with an icy stare.

“And what’s this, then?”

“
Begging your forgiveness, sir. This is my bride, Lindsey MacRae, and I am Aiden MacRae. We’ve only just learned that we’re kin to ye, and have come to pay our respects.”

The man’s eyes widened and he straightened as if I’d just told him I was the king and would be requiring his services. Our gazes held for several heartbeats while none of us spoke, and then he broke the tension by nodding and rubbing the stubbly growth on his cheeks.

“Wouldn’t have believed it m’self,” he muttered, sizing me up.

“Beg pardon?” I asked.

“I expect you’ve come about the prophecy, then. Well, don’t just stand there. Come in and let’s get on with it, aye?” He turned and left us standing on the doorstep, slack jawed.

Lindsey gave me a shrug
and a smile, then laced her fingers through mine.

Whatever it is, we’ll face it together.
Her thoughts reached out to buoy my own and I steeled myself, finding strength in her presence at my side. And then, as one, we stepped across the threshold into the source of the madness.

Author’s Note

Author’s notes are usually reserved for
explanation about what parts of the book are based on historical fact, and there was a fair bit of that in
Between
(you can view online the English battleship Captain’s logs from the siege on the castle- how cool is that??), but that’s not why I’ve added this little section.

No, I have this wee tidbit of info
to share that didn’t really fit anywhere, but I thought you might want to know that I did a fair bit of reading through lists of baby names online in order to choose the name for my bad guy. I wanted it to be Celtic and something that was in use back in the 1700s, but also a name that sounded hot and sexy. No small feat! I loved the sound of Eagan’s name and its meaning could not have been more perfect: fiery.

But the best part is that I got curious and looked up Aiden’s name to see what it meant. You can imagine the tingles I felt when I saw the answer: fiery.

So this little note is just to share my exciting discovery that both Eagan and Aiden mean the same thing, which now that you’ve read the story, you’ll understand why I think that’s ridiculously cool, indeed.

About the author

Cyndi Tefft lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest where the weather is overcast and rainy, much like the Highlands of Scotland. So she was right at home when she got the chance to visit Eilean Donan Castle. A self-proclaimed Scot freak, she’s loved every bit about her trips to Scotland: the people, the kilts, the accents, the fish & chips, the haggis… well okay, not the haggis.

Connect with the author online at

http://www.cynditefft.com