Highland Pull (Highland Destiny 2) (30 page)

It could have been mere minutes, but without her senses, it felt like hours later, she was lifted to the very pinnacle of a woman’s pleasure, and thrown roughly over the edge. Her screams rent the night air, but there was no one to hear. When the final waves of her orgasm came to a shuddering halt,
Morrighan was at last able to open her eyes once again.

She drew on all her power as Queen of the Tuatha Dé Danann, filling herself, glowing with her terrifying energy. The air around them crackled with the unrestrained electricity of her immortal power. She raised a hand—a hand that had stilled the hearts of thousands of men, a hand that could remove the life force of a Fae, with an imperious gesture. She pointed at Kheelen.

“Again. More.”

He smiled smugly and started over.

****

With an immortal sigh, Rhyannan looked at her loving husband. “It is done, my sister has taken Kheelen as her lover.”

****

Gabhran opened the door to his Edinburg house, and Faolan rushed in behind him carrying something wrapped in a blanket.
Lissa led the way upstairs to one of the spare bedrooms and Faolan dropped the package unceremoniously on the bed. Elena followed close behind, keeping shields around everyone’s mind. Gabhran grabbed some rope, then he and Faolan tied the woman securely to the bed.

“Tell me again how you know this woman?” Faolan asked, as he fastened the last rope around her ankle.

“I murdered her,” Gav muttered, knowing how crazy that sounded. He pulled the cover from her face and Elena and Faolan both gasped with recognition.

“It’s the doctor,” they said in unison.

“Aye, she is the doctor who treated you in the hospital, Elena. She called and asked to meet with me, not long after you were released. She met me for dinner to talk about your case. Only she must have slipped something in my drink and taken me back to her place.”

Then big, brawny Gabhran did something he never remembered doing before. He blushed. As his face grew hot from the memory, he felt the flush creep up his neck, up his face, all the way to the roots of his hair. Clearing his throat, he continued with as much dignity as he could muster.

“She asked me to tie her up, and I was still filled with the dark spirit from the Druid ceremony.” He risked a look at Elena, who was studying the floor, her lips pressed tightly together.

“I slept when we were, uh…
uhm.” He cleared his throat again. “When we were finished. Except, ‘twas more, ‘twas as though I passed out. When I woke, this lass here was still tied to the bed, her throat was cut, and she was dead. I also saw she had a tattoo on her back that was the same tattoo on Liam and others in the Bresal Etarlam. ‘Twas how I realized she was Druid.

“The
Worthingtons had set me up well. I knew I needed to leave before the police came looking for me. ‘Tis why I left to look for Lissa, for the woman in the journal with no memories. ‘Tis why I was so shocked when we discovered her watching my townhouse, here in Edinburgh today.”

“She must have used a spell like your shielding spell,” Faolan said. Gav risked another look at Elena, who appeared to still be struggling with her fit of repressed giggles. Faolan took charge. “Elena, you and
Lissa go buy what you need. Gav, you and I will question this woman first, then we’ll go get the medical supplies from your office, as long as ‘tis not also being watched.”

Elena opened her mouth on a protest, but Faolan spoke over her, “Go, lass, this is not something you want to be here for, not something for either of you.”

That thought seemed sobered Elena immediately, and she and Lissa left the men to the distasteful duty. 

By the time the evening was over, everyone had returned to the farm. They had medical supplies, the contents of Gabhran’s mysterious vault, a letter Gav had written to himself from New Orleans, and a lot more answers than they started the day with. By tomorrow, they would be ready to leave.

****

Liam looked through his scope until he identified everyone in the house. It was now or never, he thought wryly. He circled the farm outside Faolan’s wards, outside his own wards, making the final preparations. His father would be there very soon. Then the fireworks would begin.

Randi crouched behind a rock and wondered where Alex had gone. She’d been following him for the better part of an hour, not an easy task in her gown and slippers. How did medieval women stand these dresses? Sure, she’d liked the gown a lot when Gabhran’s eyes had gone all wide and his mouth got dry when she’d worn it for him, but it sure was hard to sneak around in.
There. Was that him? Over by the standing stones? 

She took a tentative step in that direction, when a huge golden arm snaked out and grabbed her by the waist. She stifled a scream.
Alexander. Shit.
Trying to maintain as much dignity as possible, she said coldly, “You can let go of me now.”

Immediately his arm dropped, but his gaze didn’t. He was furious, his black eyes glinted, and his grimace looked like a snarl. “What do you think you are doing, lass?” he practically spit at her.

Her chin rose defiantly. “I want to know who you’re meeting. This concerns me too! How do I know you won’t have him time travel you right out of here and leave me stranded?”
Okay, I really don’t think he would do that, but I am beyond playing fair. I want answers!

“I
wouldna let harm come to you, lass, and since it escaped your notice, you have already been left behind! Return to the keep. Now!”

She sensed the touch of compulsion he tried to use on her.
So, that's the way he wants to play.
Randi returned his gaze levelly and let that strange power that had flared in her head flex a little. His eyes widened in silent acknowledgment of her answering power.

“Like it or not Alexander, we’re in this together, and I will do everything I can to learn how to travel back to Gabhran.” She glared at him, refusing to back down.

For a fleeting second, she sensed something in him, something he was working hard to keep hidden from her. She wondered at her newfound power.
What am I?
She could feel spirits surrounding her, whispering things just out of earshot. And the power that swelled within her? What was it? How could she use it and what would it do? Giving her head a little shake to clear the questions that were, at least for the moment, unnecessary, she kept her gaze focused on Alex.

Suddenly, a faint humming filled the air, buzzing like high voltage power lines, the air thrummed with power. Her hair whipped, nearly sparking with static electricity; the hair on her arms and the nape of her neck rose. She sensed the spirits around her, some tremendous force,
an electrical energy, was filling the air, surrounding and agitating them.

A squall, Randi thought, that’s what this must be, a squall. Lightening streaked from the sky, thunder exploded, the earth shook below her feet. The wind picked up strength and Randi grabbed onto Alexander’s arm for support. This was no storm. This was magick. With the all the drama of a fireworks show finale, bolt after bolt of lightning sparked across and between the standing stones. The accompanying thunder rumbled continuously, reaching an explosive crescendo.
Then everything around them stilled.

Randi looked up at Alexander, and then followed his gaze to look to the standing stones.
In the center stood a man, with long white hair and wearing robes of cornflower blue. He’s a wizard, Randi thought irreverently.

The man looked around the stones and beyond, into the woods that surrounded the clearing. Alex started forward, but stopped abruptly when the man dropped his head back, let out a roar, and called a name.

“Abigail!”

Unerringly then, he turned to look directly at Miranda, and his light blue eyes that matched his robe, bore into hers. He pulled her closer with the power of his mind, he was inside, probing,
seeking answers she didn’t have, invading. The feeling was overwhelming, momentarily taking possession of her thoughts.

The power within her flared again, resentment bubbled at the intrusion and started to build; she couldn’t hold it back.
God, I don’t want this
. She pushed back, trying to temper her strength, but she didn’t know how to control any part of the force within her. The old man flew back against the furthest standing stone, and then Alexander had her around the waist, turning her away.

“Christ, the two of you are ripping me in half,” Alex yelled. His body jerked as if bullets were hitting him.

“Stop,” he roared. Miranda was breathing hard, and Alex, lifted her slightly and steadied her on her feet. Then turning and keeping Miranda well behind him, he called out, “Master, are you all right?”

“I’m sorry, I tried to stop. Oh God, I tried to stop. Please be okay, please be okay,” Randi said in a broken voice behind him.

****

Martin and Liam stood close together, shielding their thoughts, even though they were well beyond the protective wards surrounding the farm. The spells and additional supplies were in place. Liam had confirmed the presence of Gabhran and his woman, the older couple, Elena and the wolf. Liam went north, Martin south. It was time.

****

As soon as they returned to the keep, they moved into the library. Randi thought that was good, because she wanted to hear from this strange wizard-like man, to learn everything she could about the Druid time travel. Alexander handed the Druid Master a glass of whisky, and took a seat beside Randi, as if he might need to separate the two again.

The old man took the conversational lead. “You look very like your mother, lass. Tell me, is she well?”

Randi wanted to smile at his impish face and laughing eyes, but until she knew more about him, she would keep her thoughts to herself. “I don’t know who you are, why you shouted my mother’s name, or why you probed my mind. And just how did you get here? I think you owe me some explanations before I answer your questions,” Randi responded coolly.

He laughed. “Aye, I doona blame you there. Perhaps Alexander here can vouchsafe my trustworthiness. Ah, yes, well, that is a problem, since you doona seem to trust him completely, either.

“My name is Earnan, I have known young Alexander ever since I trained him in the Druid ways. Even though I never trained Gabhran, I think of them as sons, and now that you are here
and pregnant, you will be part of our family, too.”

“How did you—
”

“I know many things, lass, you will come to understand that about me in time, but surely you must be used to that with your mother…”

“My mother didn’t raise me,” Randi said through a tight jaw.

After a pause, Earnan replied, “Ah, well, it does not surprise me, she has e’er been one with a short attention span. Tell me, lass, where are you from?”

Randi knew he was turning the tables on her, asking the questions, but she wanted to know about her mother, so she answered, “New Orleans,” wondering if he knew where that was.

Earnan burst out laughing. “Doona be telling me she was playing at Voodoo? Abigail always had a penchant for unusual forms of magick.”

Randi leaned back against the couch, struggling to get enough air into her lungs. “What do you mean? What are you saying?”

After a long appraising look, Earnan began to speak. By the time he finished, Randi’s entire world had changed. The only part that seemed to remain the same was who her parents were. And even that seemed questionable, as Earnan didn’t believe the story of the out of town liaison for a minute. It seemed Abigail was a witch. Not just any witch, but one of the most powerful alive, with powers akin to a Druid Master.

Abigail liked to adopt different eras, and different personas. As far as Earnan knew, Miranda was the only child she’d ever borne. He seemed amazed she’d stayed with Miranda as long as she had. She had lived in Salem, and allowed herself to be captured and history recorded her as the first witch burned during the witch trials.

Her life was full of such adventures, and she lived it to the fullest.
Earnan’s voice had a mixture of love and sorrow as he spoke of Abigail.

Randi had hundreds of questions about her mother, but took a box off her mental bookshelf and stored them inside. Closing it firmly, willing herself to focus on the issue at hand, she told Earnan of their plight. When she was finished, she looked at Earnan expectantly, as though he might really be a wizard and wave a magic wand that would transport her at once to Gabhran.

“I see.” He turned to Alexander. “What of your story, my young friend? What has been happening to you, since last we spoke?”

It was Alexander’s turn to speak of his shipwreck, his capture,
his escape. As he spoke, Randi listened to him with all her senses, looking for holes or lies. She found none. Instead she discovered he was a man far stronger than she realized. The power within him fairly hummed. She wondered just how powerful he was, and whether he could have sent her back himself.

Earnan was pulling on his lower lip and looking pensive when Alexander finished.

“I need some time to think, to read into things. I assume my usual room in the tower will be fine?” He raised a white brow at Alexander.

“Aye, but…”

“Nay, not now, I must have some space. I will return for the evening meal. We will speak then.” With a swish of the hem of his robe, he swept grandly from the room.

“Now what?” Randi asked.

“I suggest you rest, we may be in for a long discussion after dinner. ‘Twas oft his favorite time to train me. The man is a veritable night owl.” With that, Alex followed Earnan out of the study.

****

Everything was packed, the vehicles loaded. As a precaution, Red had been ferrying boxes and supplies to the boat all week. Even now, he’d moved one of their vehicles to the far north end of the property. There was no sense telegraphing their intention to leave. Faolan, Lilly, and Red, would take turns running the farm in their wolf forms through the night, although none of them expected trouble. Gabhran and Elena sat on either side of Lissa, taking turns feeling the baby kick, all three of them beaming with pride.

Without warning, Gabhran jumped to his feet. Elena stiffened, her eyes seeking Faolan.

“What is it, Elena?” Faolan asked urgently.

Gabhran turned out the lights with a single spell he forgot he knew.

“Someone is out there. Someone is thinking of killing us all. It was very strong, and I only got it for a second, but he’s out there,” Gabhran answered Faolan’s question.

“Elena?” Faolan asked, again.

“He’s right, I sensed it too. Although he is keeping his feelings shielded, they dropped for just a second. It was…” Gagging, Elena ran through the darkened house for the bathroom.

Red and Lilly were on
their feet, quivering with the need to shift, to go chase down whoever was out there. “Red, Lilly, you go together, go south, I will go north. Whoever it is has not yet crossed the wards. Keep moving. You will hear me when the wards are breeched. Gav, take care of Elena and Lissa. Get to the SUV and drive like hell. Don’t stop until you get to the boat. We will meet you there when we can.”

Faolan put his hands on
Gav’s shoulders, speaking quietly so as not to be overheard by the others. “If we do not arrive on the morrow, doona wait. Get them to the island, Elena knows the way. Doona wait,” he repeated urgently.

Gabhran nodded curtly. He scooped up Shadow and tossed the protesting cat into the travel cage, while
Lissa grabbed Rascal, and shoved him unceremoniously in behind his brother. “Let’s go.” He urged Lissa toward the kitchen and the back door. “Elena, come on, we’ve got to go,” Gav called softly.

“Shit,” murmured Faolan, as he strode toward the bathroom. He returned carrying Elena a few minutes later. Gav quickly examined her.

“She just fainted, probably from the strength of the emotion we picked up. It was overwhelming, pure hatred, and evil intention.” He put the lights out in the yard and steading using the same spell from earlier. “Let’s put her in the car, and we’ll go. Put her in the back seat, Lissa, you sit next to her.”

Elena shook her head. “Like hell! I’m
okay, I just got light-headed for a minute. Faolan, it’s Worthington, I know it is.”

“Aye, lass, it is Worthington, and that matters not. We must go now,” he insisted, “We’ll meet at the boat in a few hours. We can talk about it then. Let’s go!”

The room around them was nearly pitch black, the filtered starlight from the quiet Highland night providing the only light. Everyone stood in the kitchen, taking long loving looks at each other before heading out the door. Red, Lilly, and Faolan left first, heading straight across to the steading, where they would shift, before splitting up and heading into the night, to search for Worthington. There was no question what would happen once they found him. Martin Worthington would die this night.

With one hand on the door, Gav looked at Elena and
Lissa. “Everyone okay? We need to move qui—”

The night exploded around them, fire rained from the sky, everything in sight was burning.

****

Elena reach for the doorknob, screaming Faolan’s name as the space between the steading and the farmhouse was filled with fire. Gav grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back from the door.

“Nay, there is naught we can do for him now, we must get into the bathroom, get into the tub and cover ourselves with as much water as possible. Grab towels we need them wet against our faces. Now. Go. Run.” He pushed the two women down the hall.