Dark Rival (34 page)

But she wasn't a witch and she had never cast a spell in her life. However, she was the granddaughter of a great and powerful god. She had to try to use her power to incapacitate Joan.

It went against her very nature and even her every instinct. She had been put on this earth to help people. Joan was a very unpleasant, power-mad woman, but she wasn't evil. But Joan had made herself clear. She was going to use Royce as if he were a gigolo, Allie wasn’t going to share her man.

As Allie stood, leaving the puppy napping on her bed, unhappy with what she had to try to do, she suddenly saw her mother in the mirror over a chest. Her reflection was frightened.

She whirled, but no one was standing behind her. She faced the minor, breathless, but the image of Elasaid was gone.

So much had happened since yesterday afternoon, when she had thought she'd seen her mother at the shrine on Iona. She'd forgotten to mention it to Royce—she'd pretty much forgotten it herself

"Mom, what is it?" she cried. Oddly she was starting to think of her mother by her Gaelic name—her real name, not the English translation.

Elasaid did not reappear.

This was the third time her mother had visited her since the South Hampton fund-raiser. What did that mean? Allie was certain she'd been warning her last time, but this time, her message, if there was one, had been impossible to decipher. However, there had been no mistaking her expression of fear.

Allie scooped up the pup, which wriggled happily, licking her cheek. She hugged it, wishing she could communicate with Elasaid. when she felt evil.

It stopped her in her tracks.

It was coming from the hall below.

Not the great, overpowering evil of someone like Moffat for this presence was weaker, far different, and very human. Allie felt so much depraved lust. Not for power and pleasure, but for physical pain and monetary gain.

Allie hurried down stairs toward the great room. There she faltered in surprise, because Aidan was with Royce. They were standing by the table, a small, slender mail clad in English dress with him. His black stench turned her stomach instantly and Allie knew he was the source of the evil she had sensed.

He had seen her, too. As he stared at her with dark, soulless eyes, she knew he could not wait to find someone or something to torture. She knew he'd done so a thousand times, and would do so again.

Royce strode to her, his face hand and grim.

Allie looked toward the table and saw a document there. Their visitor's presence was disconcerting her, but like smote, true evil wafted from the page. It was a hundred times more powerful than their human guest. "Who has called, Royce?" she asked, putting the puppy down.

"Godfrey Speke. He brings a missive from the south,” Royce s tone was noncommittal.

Allie stared into his gray eyes and froze. Instead of Royce, she saw the bishop of Moffat, tall, golden, sinfully handsome, sitting at an ebony desk, a crystal glass of wine in hand. HE was clad in crimson velvet robes. A quill and more parchment were upon the desk in front of him. She did not have the power of Sight, but the image was so vivid and strong, she was certain that Moffat sat at a desk somewhere just then, thinking about her—reaching out to her with telepathy. And the bishop lifted the glass and saluted her with it.

Allie jerked herself back to the hall, shaken. Her gaze moved to the small man standing by the table. It was hard to focus on Speke, when Moffat had just sent his version of a greeting to her, over hundreds of miles and perhaps, hundreds of years.

Wait here. I’ll send Speke on his way, Royce communicated with her silently.

A good idea, Allie responded. I don't think he should spend the night inside Carrick’s walls. She walked over to Aidan, who appeared entirely unperturbed.

Speke smiled obsequiously and greedily at Royce. “What reply shall I bring His Lordship?"

"This is my reply," Royce said. He took the parchment and ripped it in two, then handed the parts of the page to Speke. "A guard will see you off Morvern lands, if the dawn finds any man, woman or child missing, hurt in anyway or dead. I will dispatch ye to hell myself."

Speke snarled, “I have ridden hard for two days. You do not offer me a meal, wine and a bed?"

Royce ignored him. "An' if I find mutilated sheep, cattle or horses, I'll hunt ye down, as well, I'll enjoy mutilating ye, Speke." He strode across the hall and jerked open the door. Six of his men appeared. "Get him off my lands. Guard yer backs."

Speke looked at Allie. His gaze glittered with anger and demonic lust. She stepped back, as if that might deter whatever horrific thoughts he was having, Aidan touched her shoulder reassuringly, while saliva appeared on Speke's thin lips. He licked them. Then he left the hall. Royce slammed the door behind him.

But evil remained, and it was coming from the parchment.

Allie's gaze went to the halves of the page, now on the floor. Speke had dropped them—he'd left them purposefully, she had no doubt. Her heart lurched and her body tensed.

Moffat leaned back in a carved, thronelike chair. He lifted his hand, as if toward her and a ruby signet ring winked in the firelight. Soon, Ailios, soon.

Allie leapt hearing his silken tone as clearly as she'd just heard Royce. "What does Moffat want?" she cried.

She saw Aidan and Royce exchange looks. Aidan turned to her. "Ye listen to Royce," he advised. Then he leaned close. “Ye left Iona in a great rush, lass."

Allie couldn't dissemble. "I had to go, I had no choice."

"Aye, I see ye did. Well, ye won't have to worry about the Queen after this night." He smiled arrogantly and left the hall, heading up the stairs.

It took Allie a moment to comprehend him. She whirled to face Royce. "Wait a minute? You asked him to go to Joan!"

"He doesna mind. An’ she willna be thinking o’ me in another moment"

"It's not right!" Allie cried.

Royce said softly, “Aidan is very young an’ very hot. Ailios. If he wasna in Joan's bed this night, it'd be someone else's. Do ye think she's the only royal who uses her power to take lovers at whim?"

Allie stared searchingly, but realized he was right. As little as she cared for history, she did know the story of Henry VIII.
 
He was surely not the only King to use his crown to acquire lovers. Before she started feeling sorry for Aidan she remembered he was a big-time player. The Queen was young, pretty and lush. He was probably eager to jump into her bed and amuse himself. "We owe him"

“Aye.”

Allie met his serious gray gaze. His tension filled the room—and it had nothing to do with Joan.

As she stared, words tried to form in her mind. She realized she was on the verge of reading his thoughts. Surprised, she strained to make sense of the jumbled language. She couldn't.

But she saw an E
 
in her mind's eye, drifting upward like smoke, followed by an L and an A

"You're thinking about my mother!" she said.

He started.

"What has happened?" she cried. "What did that letter say?" She inhaled. ''It was from Moffat!''

Royce stepped away from her. "The missive is a ruse."

Allie didn't like his avoidance of her question. "What did it say?”

His nostrils flared. "It doesna matter. I will protect ye. Dinna worry, not now, not ever. Let us discuss the next few days." He softened slightly. "While Joan is with Aidan. I can take ye far from here."

"Into another time? So I can hide there while you return here?" Allie shook her head. “Royce, we have to talk. I had a visit from my mother yesterday at the shrine. She was really distressed, even frightened. I think she was trying to warn me about something. And I just saw her a moment ago, upstairs, in my room. Something bad is happening—or about to go down!"

His eyes flickered. He quickly looked away.

She gripped the edges of his plaid. "What aren't yon telling me?"

He cursed, finally meeting her gaze. “Moffat plays games, Ailios that is all. Elasaid is dead "

And Allie had a horrific inkling. "You are linking Moffat and my mother in the same breath!"

“T’is a ruse " he repeated firmly.

"You had better tell me what Moffat said—what he wants!"

Royce breathed hard. "He wants to trade ye for Elasaid.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

ALLIE CRIED OUT.

Royce steadied her, "I dinna believe he has yer mother, Ailios. I believe yer mother is dead—an’ has been so for centuries."

She reeled barely hearing him. Was Elasaid alive? Had she somehow escaped death with her great white power. Had her death been feigned in the twenty-first century? Or had she been captured from a far earlier time?

"Could she somehow be alive? Could she be Moffat's prisoner?" she gasped.

"He's playing ye," Royce said sharply. "Yer mother canna be alive.”

As terrible as her plight might be, Allie could barely think— but she could feel and hope burst forth. "Maybe she cheated death the day she died in 1992? Maybe she appeared dead— but her power brought her back to life! Oh gods! It would explain why she is frightened and what I have been seeing!"

"Ye have false hope," Royce cried. "An’ that plays into Moffat's hands."

"So this is a cruel trick?'' she demanded, shaking.

"If yer mother lived, why has she nay come to ye—to me—to Iona, to the shrine? No one has seen her in over two hundred years!"

Allie hugged herself, reeling. “Maybe she's been a prisoner—or on the run. Maybe she is alive now—and communicating with me telepathically.” Allie covered her face with her hands. She was suddenly sine her mother was alive— and imprisoned by Moffat. But if Elasaid was a captive, her powers had to have been greatly reduced—she had to be hurt. She became so frightened, her mind went blank. "We must accept this offer,” she cried. "I am young and strong— we have to save my mother! I’ll take her place! Royce, she must be ill or hurt!"

Royce blanched. ''There will never be such a trader he said harshly. “Not as long as I live!"

She shook violently, terrified for Elasaid.

"She's dead," Royce said harshly. "An’ ye allow Moffat to toy with ye like a cat with a mouse."

"I have to assume she lives," she said. "I cannot assume she is dead, if there is any chance that she is alive and in Moffat's power, we have to rescue her."

"Ailios." He took her into his arms and spoke quietly and firmly. "We will go to Blackwood. He's a few hours from Moffat's hall. He's had spies on Moffat for a long, long time. I will learn the truth o’ this matter. Ye must trust me now. An’ ye must think o’ the facts."

Allie stared into his eyes, gripping him tightly. The fact was that her mother kept reaching out to her after so many years of silence. The fact was, Elasaid was afraid. "And if Elasaid is alive? If she is Moffat's prisoner?"

"We will free her."

She nodded fiercely. "Yes, we will free her, you and me together."

He pulled away. "I will free her with the help of Aidan. Malcolm an' a few other Masters. Ye will stay safe where I put ye!"

She smiled grimly. "I am coming with you—and sticking to you like glue! I am not about to be dumped in some future time while you play hero! Too much is at stake!”

Royce hesitated.

She didn't have to read his mind to know he was concerned about her being in the vicinity of Moffat's base of power. "Royce," she said softly, taking his face in her hands. "Please, please, hear me now. If she is alive, she is hurt, otherwise she’d leap away. If she is alive, she needs healing! I can heal her! And have you forgotten we are going after the man who caused your death in 2007? What if you need healing?" Panic began, "I cannot stay behind, I won't. I love you too much! We are in this together, no matter what"

"Yer too brave for yer own good," he said gruffly, walking away from her.

Allie trembled and watched him pace. "Actually I am scared out of my mind.”

Royce turned to her. "I want ye with me, Ailios. That way, I can watch over ye. But first, ye'll make a vow.”

Allie tensed.

"Ye swear to me on yer mother's soul that ye'll obey me. This is war an' my word is the final law. I dinna trust ye at all”- he added.

Allie cringed. "How can you not trust me?"

"Ye have the kindest heart—an’ the most reckless soul. I’ll turn my back an’ ye'll think to heal, to fight, God only will ken. An’ when I turn back, ye’ll be hurt or dead."

He only wanted to protect her. "As long as you are reasonable," she began.

He strode to her, eyes ablaze. "Nay! I may be reasonable, but we both ken, ye’ll think me Mr. Medieval? Nay. Whatever I command, ye'll obey, be it reasonable to ye or not."

"That is not fair," Allie said harshly.

"If Elasaid is alive an’ in Moffat's control, that's unfair, as well."

That took away her hesitation, fast. “Okay. You have my word. I won't disobey you."

Hard satisfaction covered his features. His tone softened. "Come here."

Allie hesitated, then walked to him and was surprised when he pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly against his big body and her heart dropped with sickening force as she realized what he intended. "Now?" Dread began.

He laid his cheek against her hair and held her more closely. She felt the strong, steady beat of his powerful heart. "Remember, the pain will end. It seems to last forever, but it's just a moment.”

Allie closed her eyes. "I was really hoping to avoid this, somehow."

"Aye." He kissed her hair. "I willna let ye go, lass."

Allie turned to look up at him and he covered her mouth with his.

And in spite of what was about to happen, her heart exploded with sudden, impossible excitement. Too late, as they were flung with the speed of light through the hall, she knew it had been a distraction.

His mouth moved to her cheek, resting there, she screamed.

 
PANIC MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE to breathe as they were hurled through space. She saw the stars, shockingly close, stunningly bright. She saw moons and more than one sun. Her stomach, her other organs, even her heart were jamming against her muscles and bones. Allie wept and wept, sure that this time her insides would be torn from her body by the velocity necessary for time travel. This time, her brain would be scrambled like eggs.