Awaken the Highland Warrior (24 page)

Anna rolled her eyes and ignored him. “Angus’s message said he needed to meet me. It was urgent. I thought he’d be here.”

“So did I,” Cody said. “Angus contacted us and said he’d discovered something unbelievable. Something that would affect all the clans, but he’d blown his cover. He needed us to hide it.”

“What did he find?” Shane asked. “We know it wasn’t the key. Bree had that.”

Cody shook his head. “He didn’t say. Anna thinks it might’ve had something to do with the
Book of Battles
.”

“Several months ago we started looking into the disappearance, but I got busy with my next demon and had to put the search aside. When I went to Angus for an update, he said he’d discovered some things, but didn’t want to say anything until he was sure. You know Angus.”

“That lad could find a mystery in thin air,” Sean said. “But we’ve already found the
Book of Battles
.”

“You have it here?” Anna asked, her turquoise eyes so brilliant they seemed to glow.

“No. Faelan found it in Bree’s attic.”

“It’s hidden safely away,” Faelan said, but he looked uneasy.

“What was it doing in America?” Declan asked.

“I have no idea, unless McGowan or Quinn brought it,” Bree said.

“Who’s McGowan?” Declan frowned, making him look even more like Ronan.

“Uh, he was the Seeker who went to America with Quinn,” Sean explained.

“I thought… ah, I see,” Declan said.

“Angus didn’t say what he found, but he mentioned a gathering,” Cody said. “Since I was the closest, I was supposed to meet him before he left for Scotland. He didn’t show up and I figured he was headed here. I ran into Declan and Anna on the way.”

“Coira, see if you can get Angus on his cell phone,” Sean said, rubbing his forehead.

“Where was this gathering?” Bree asked.

“I’m not sure, but I was supposed to meet Angus in Albany.”

“Albany? Maybe Angus did bring the time vault.” Faelan explained to the newcomers about the time vault he found hidden in the chapel cellar.

“He was acting weird lately,” Tomas said. “Kept hiding his notebook every time anyone came near. I got a glimpse. He’d written something about a league.”

“This is getting more troubling all the time,” Sean said, drumming his finger against his kilted knee.

“There was a conference in Albany a couple of days ago,” Bree said. “Some kind of new-world-order thing that had all the hotels booked. The woman at the bed and breakfast where we stayed said the people were strange. And a lot of suicides and crimes have taken place in the last few days. We know Druan’s castle is near there. The conference must have had something to do with the gathering Angus was watching.”

“New world order, my ass,” Niall said, earning a glare from Coira, who was standing by the door. “All the demons want is chaos.”

“I suspect Bree’s right. The one I just suspended mentioned Druan by name,” Declan said. “Yelled something about retribution, then clammed up.”

Ronan laid his sword across his lap. “A few months ago I suspended a demon in Prague. He said something about a reckoning. Didn’t make sense at the time.”

“He may be referring to Druan’s virus. How badly was the first virus damaged?” Faelan asked Sean.

“My memory isn’t what it was, but I got the impression the virus was useless.”

“It’s been more than a century since then,” Faelan said. “I’m guessing it’s ready.”

“Why didn’t he kill you and be done with it?” Anna asked. “Why miss an opportunity to kill the Mighty Faelan? Could he have had some other use for you?”

“If he somehow found out about the talisman’s power, he would’ve known he’d be home free with Faelan and his talisman imprisoned in the time vault,” Cody said. “But if he’d killed Faelan, the talisman would’ve been reassigned.”

“That’s a bloody scary thought,” Niall said. “If the demons know the secrets of our time vaults and talismans, we’re in a world of hurt.”

“Blimey, I hope not,” Sean said.

“Could be he’s like our Brodie here and likes to pull pranks,” Coira said, giving the warrior a mild, reproving glance. Bree wasn’t the only one complaining about being too drunk for the amount of wine consumed.

“You think Druan did it as a joke?” Conall asked.

“We were thinking it was his way of getting revenge,” Faelan said, glancing at Bree.

Two glances and a few glares since she’d given him her body and soul. At least he’d acknowledged her existence.

“It’d have to be one hell of a vengeance to wait that long.” Cody moved his thumb over the outline of the talisman showing under his cotton shirt.

“He’s vain enough to want me to witness him release the virus,” Faelan said. “His final triumph.”

“I’d like to think he doesn’t know about time vaults or how long before they’ll open,” Duncan said. “But it’s possible his virus has been ready for years, and he’s been waiting for you, which would make him pretty pissed off by now.”

Faelan glanced at Bree, his eyes dark with worry.

Jamie folded his arms over his chest. “Wish I could be there for this battle, but I’ll be in Virginia.”

“No problem,” Duncan said. “We have several warriors, and Cody’s offered to stay and fight.”

“I hope someone has an extra pair of jeans. I’m a little short on luggage,” the dangerous-looking warrior said. Most of them wore T-shirts and jeans when they weren’t wearing a kilt.

After Bree and Faelan had told the story again for Declan, Anna, and Cody, Bree escaped to the kitchen to help Coira, unable to bear Faelan ignoring her any longer.

The warriors spent the rest of the day locked in the library, strategizing battle plans. They didn’t come out until Coira announced dinner. Most of them left to get ready for the trip they’d make in a couple of days. Those remaining moved to the large dining room, complaining loudly of empty stomachs.

“You should’ve stopped to eat,” Coira scolded. “You’ve been doing this long enough to know you can’t save the world on an empty belly.”

Bree had helped Coira prepare the huge pots of mutton stew, with toffee pudding for dessert, but all she could manage was a few bites. Faelan seemed relieved to take a seat at the other end of the table, far away from her, nestled between Sorcha and Anna.

“So you’re from New York?” a deep voice asked at her elbow.

Bree turned to Cody, who’d settled next to her, his polite smile not covering the pain in his intense, hazel eyes.

“Near Albany,” she said, troubled, because she knew he had more pain to come.

“I live in Virginia, but I have a… friend who used to live not far from there.” His voice held no emotion, as if he’d trained himself to feel none.

She wanted to ask if his friend had blond hair and green eyes, but that would open a can of worms she knew nothing about. “You’re part of this clan too?”

“Yes. My family’s been in America most of my life. We had a mission there.”

What kind of mission lasted a lifetime?

Just then, Sorcha leaned in and whispered something to Faelan. He smiled and turned to include Anna. How could a mere woman compete against modern-day Xenas? Bree had truly believed Faelan was different, but she’d done it again. The curse of the frogs.

“Everything okay?” Cody followed her gaze.

“Just overwhelmed.”

“I can see that you would be.” Cody took a bite of stew, chewed it slowly, and swallowed. “You’ve probably saved the world, you know. Keep that in mind if things get too bad,” he said, glancing at Faelan again. “I’ve found distractions don’t get rid of the problem, but if you think on your troubles too much, they’ll eat you alive.”

Bree saw Ronan watching her, his expression one of sympathy and concern. Was she a blasted open book? She stood to excuse herself, when a commotion sounded in the hallway.

A man burst through the door. Blood ran from his face, soaking his clothes. He swayed on his feet and looked around the table, staring at each one of them. He stopped at Sorcha. “Traitor.” When he saw Faelan, his eyes widened, the whites garish against his blood-covered face. “You!” he gasped, and then collapsed.

The silence was deafening, swallowed by mayhem as chairs flew backward and everyone ran toward the fallen man. He lay on his side, with deep gashes running across his face and chest. It was impossible to tell his age because of the wounds.

“Angus… Oh, Angus,” Coira wailed as everyone crowded closer, blocking Bree’s view. “Get him to the infirmary. Where’s Niall? Never mind, Duncan, Faelan carry him. Gently. Sean, call Doctor Gillum.” The injured man was unusually tall, but the warriors lifted him as if he weighed nothing. At Coira’s direction, everyone went into a kind of ordered pandemonium.

Bree didn’t know how to help, so she started cleaning up the trail of blood. When she finished, she followed Coira’s voice to a large infirmary. Coira and Anna hovered over Angus while the others watched in silence. He lay still as death.

Faelan moved next to Bree, watching as blood was cleaned from the warrior’s face. “Coira’s a nurse,” he said, slipping his warm hand into Bree’s. Her fingers closed around his, grateful for the comfort. Immediately Faelan looked down at their linked hands in surprise. “Pardon me.” He pulled free, moving away to where Sorcha motioned by the door. She whispered something in Faelan’s ear, and they slipped from the room.

Bree’s desire to scream fled as her attention came back to the wounded man. The floor slid under her feet, and she grabbed for the nearest solid object. With the blood cleaned from his face, she recognized Angus—Mr. Smith from the bed and breakfast. No wonder she’d sensed danger surrounding him. He was a warrior trying to save the world. She’d sensed he was in trouble, washed her hands of it, and walked away. She pried her fingers from the back of Cody’s shirt, but he hadn’t noticed. His face was drawn with guilt. She wanted to tell him about her vision, but he turned and left.

Angus moaned, and his eyes fluttered open. He stared at Bree, lips moving as he struggled to speak. His bloodied hands clenched the table as he tried to rise. Two warriors stepped forward to help Coira settle him, blocking Bree’s view. Anna leaned closer, putting her ear close to his mouth. When Bree could see him again, Angus’s eyes were closed, and he lay unmoving. Had he recognized her? Why did he look so alarmed?

The worried crowd dispersed as Dr. Gillum arrived. Bree headed for her bedroom wondering if she could have saved Angus and still seething with jealousy, despite the fact that Faelan had chosen her bed last night and not Sorcha’s.

If a warrior’s mate was destined, Bree’s resentment should be toward a woman long dead, a woman who had lost her mate without ever knowing he lived. Who was this woman buried in the cold ground, who’d never even met her mate, who should’ve been the mother of Faelan’s children? Where did that leave him? Or had a mate been chosen from the time he would awake in, like Sorcha?

His family seemed to think so, from the way Bree had seen them whispering over the pair of warriors. She had to face the truth. Her time with Faelan was over. It was probably best. She wasn’t ready for a relationship, much less an intense one, and there would be no other kind with him.

She rounded the corner, stopping short. Faelan stood with his back to her, outside Sorcha’s room. Long, red-tipped fingernails moved up his arm as Sorcha drew him closer to her door. How could a woman kill demons and still look like she’d just gotten a manicure? The door opened, and Faelan put a hand on Sorcha’s back, ushering her inside.

Bree’s heart felt like a wrung-out sponge. She had a sudden longing for home and Jared. Maybe he’d gotten back from his trip. She walked to the phone and punched in the number. “Is Jared there?” she asked, when a man’s shaky voice answered.

“Who’s this?”

“Bree Kirkland. Is this Jared’s uncle?”

There was silence and then a whisper. “You shouldn’t…” A noise sounded in the background, and he spoke louder. “Here he is.”

“Bree.” Jared’s voice slid over her like a warm hug. “Hey. How’s your trip?”

“Great. But I miss home. How’s everything there?”

“Fine,” he said. He didn’t sound fine. He sounded worried. “I met with my backers. They’re on hold for the moment.”

“I’ll be home in a day or so.”

“That soon? I wish you’d stay longer. At least until they catch the killer. Peter’s not eager for you to come back either. Besides, Scotland is nice this time of year.”

“You’ve been here?”

“Years ago. Seems like another lifetime. Are you making progress with the documents?”

“Yes… they’re old family papers.” It wasn’t a complete lie. There was the map Faelan’s brothers made, but she hated not telling Jared the whole truth.

“Sounds interesting. Wish I were there with you. Enjoy the job and the scenery. The house, and me, we’ll be here when you get back.”

Thoughts of Sorcha and Faelan, destined mates, and Angus’s bloodied body made her want to bawl. “I miss you, Jared.”

A noise sounded behind her, and she turned. Faelan stood there, his face tight. He’d changed to jeans. He must’ve given Sorcha a quickie. Bree turned her back to him. “I should go,” she told Jared. “You’re sure everything is okay?” There were so many things that could go wrong. Dead bodies, demons, and halflings.

“It’s all good. I’ll take care of things here, and we’ll talk when you get back.”

“Jared, be careful.” She hung up and turned to blast Faelan, but she was alone.

Bree grabbed her coat and walked outside, following the stone path to the flower garden Coira had shown her earlier. She sat on the bench and tried to let the fragrant scents wash away images of Faelan naked in Sorcha’s bed. Footsteps shuffled behind her.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Sean asked, dropping next to her on the bench.

“I had a lot on my mind.”

“I come here when I’m troubled. Helps me put things to right. Could be the scent of Coira’s roses or maybe the night air. Gets a mite chilly in these parts.”

“That’s for sure.” Bree shivered and pulled her lightweight wool coat closer. “Don’t your legs get cold?” she asked, looking at his kilt.

“A bit. I usually wear trousers. Most warriors wear jeans when they’re not here. The kilt draws too much attention. We have to protect the clan, protect what we do, and we don’t want to announce our presence to the demons. But as soon as the lads come back, they put on the kilt.”

“I’m not complaining,” Bree said, smiling. She sobered. “How’s Angus?”

Sean sighed. “Not good. Blessed idiot drove himself here.”

“How did he get through the front gate?”

“He didn’t. There’s a hidden entrance, a tunnel that leads to the secret passages. Angus left his car there and walked.”

“Why didn’t he call someone?”

“His cell phone’s missing.”

“What do you think he meant about a traitor?”

“I don’t know, but I fear there’s something bad brewing. Cody said he’d felt it too. Even before Angus called him.”

“What do you know about Cody?” Bree asked. She still needed to talk to him.

Sean watched her for a minute, and Bree knew he was judging what to tell her. “Fierce warrior. His brothers, too, from what I hear. They’re private. I’ve heard their secrets run deep. Cody finished his duty a few weeks ago. Besides Faelan, Cody’s the only warrior in recent times who’s been assigned one of the ancient demons.”

Bree remembered the danger emanating from him. She guessed the demons were happy he was retired. “But he offered to help fight?”

“Warriors can fight as long as they can hold a sword. They’re encouraged to marry and have families after their duty is over, but some choose to serve for life.”

“Do the talismans still work, even if a warrior is retired?”

“That they do. Why this interest in Cody?”

“I had a premonition, a vision, something about him. There was a woman with him. I think she’s in trouble. I should warn him. Like I should’ve warned Angus.”

“Angus?”

“I’ve seen him before. In New York, at the bed and breakfast where Faelan and I stayed. I sensed danger surrounding him, but I brushed it off. I didn’t recognize him until Coira cleaned off the blood. I think he recognized me.”

Sean grew quiet. “Have you had these feelings, these visions, before?”

“Since I was little. Usually about family or friends.” When she was younger, after she’d learned about her sister, she’d believed it was her twin helping her from the other side.

“Anyone else in your family have these abilities?”

“I think my great-great-grandmother did. Are you thinking about Druan’s castle and how I could see it?”

“It is peculiar.”

“Maybe only warriors can’t see it. It was right there, plain as day.”

“Perhaps. There are many things we don’t understand.”

“That’s a problem for me. I have to know things.”

Sean chuckled. “So Faelan says.”

At least Faelan was saying something to someone. It sure wasn’t her. But her problems paled next to Angus’s fight for life. Bree sighed. “Will you let me know how Angus is doing? If I’d said something, warned him, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Angus is hard-headed as a mule. Who’s to say he would’ve believed you, anyway? You were a stranger to him. He’s strong. Dr. Gillum is with him, and Coira. She’s a fine nurse.”

“It must be tough on the women.”

“That’s part of the reason warriors aren’t to marry until their duty is over. Not to mention they don’t need the distraction of a demon targeting a mate.”

“What about the female warriors? Can they marry before their duty is up?”

He shook his head. “Same rules apply. It’s frowned on, because of the danger involved, but there’s plenty of time for raising a family after a warrior is done. It’s not uncommon for a warrior to live well beyond a hundred years. We almost never get sick. Something in the genes. It’s getting past the battles that’s tricky.” Sean patted her hand. “This has been a whirlwind for you, finding Faelan, getting thrown into the middle of all this. Most women wouldn’t have taken it so well. You’re strong, Bree Kirkland. It was good that you found him.”

“I don’t know. Maybe Sorcha should have…” Bree trailed off.

“No, I think it was best this way. Destiny. That’s what it was, destiny,” he repeated, almost to himself.

“Well, I thank you for your hospitality. I wish I had more time to see the sights, since this is my first trip to Scotland.”

“Ah, there’ll be plenty of time for that later. You’re welcome back here anytime you want, lass. You see the size of this house. We’ve got plenty of bedrooms, and they’re always ready. Warriors come and go like it’s a train station. I hope we’ll be seeing more of you.” He studied her again, as if trying to decipher a code. “In fact, Coira will likely come fetch you if you stay away too long. She’s taken a liking to you, as we all have. Now I’d best check on Angus and get these old bones off to bed.”

“Good night, Sean. Oh, can I ask you something?”

“Aye, lass.”

“You speak Gaelic?”

“I do, though we don’t use the language much now.”

“What does… let me see, I’m not sure I have this right.
Tha thu as do chiall
. What does it mean?”

Sean smiled. “Why don’t you ask Faelan?”

“He won’t tell me. He’s the one who said it.”

“Then I can’t say as I blame him,” he said, chuckling, with a twinkle in his eyes, “but I think I’ll leave that telling to him.”

Bree waited a minute before leaving the garden. The house was quiet. At the top of the steps, she turned the corner and saw Faelan enter her bedroom and close the door behind him. When she got over the shock, she began to seethe. Did he honestly think he could go from Sorcha’s bed to hers?

Bree turned and headed back downstairs, wandering aimlessly for a while, trying to distance herself from anger and hurt. She ended up in the library, every bit as grand as Druan’s. She sat at a table, staring at the pile of books Sean had given her to study, but her mind was too troubled to concentrate. She sank into an overstuffed leather chair near the low-burning fire and settled in for the night.

***

A noise pulled Bree from her restless dreams. She opened heavy lids and saw Ronan leaning against the door, arms crossed over his chest, watching her. Or was it Declan? He wore Levi’s and a black T-shirt. “Oh,” she said, sitting up from her awkward position. Had she snored or drooled in her sleep?

“Ah, Sleeping Beauty awakes.”

Ronan. There was that sexy lilt to his voice.

“How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to know you don’t snore.”

Thank God for small favors. “I fell asleep.”

“Must have been a good book.” He glanced from her bookless lap to the floor, but didn’t comment. “I’d wager you’re stiff as a board.”

“More like a steel beam.” She liked Ronan. He was easy to talk to, if you didn’t get distracted by his body and face.

“It’s not yet dawn. You could stretch out on a real bed.”

Bree’s stomach rumbled softly.

“Or we could raid the kitchen. I was headed there when I heard the moan.”

“Moan?”

“You must have been dreaming.” He gave her a grin that should’ve been outlawed.

“Do all warriors have Superman hearing?”

“Afraid so. The caped hero has nothing on us.”

“He can fly.”

“Well, there is that.”

Bree rubbed her tummy. “I
am
hungry.”

“Then let’s see what treats Coira’s hiding from me.”

“She hides food from you?” Bree followed him out of the library.

“From all of us. Warrioring works up a hearty appetite.”

She knew a warrior with a hearty appetite, she thought sadly. “Then lead on, and I’ll blame it all on you.”

He led her into the kitchen and flipped on a light. “I’d bet my dirk she’s got cookies hidden somewhere.” Looking around the big, cozy kitchen, he went straight to the refrigerator, where he reached up and grabbed a cookie jar hidden behind some boxes. It sounded like he groaned. “Shortbread. Coira makes the best.” He took one, bit it, and held the rest to Bree’s mouth. “Try it. Don’t worry. I don’t have cooties, and my hands are clean. I haven’t scratched my ass all day.”

She smiled and took a nibble. “That is good.”

He took another and handed her the jar. “Coira says it’s Faelan’s mother’s recipe.”