Heart Of A Highland Warrior (16 page)

He
’d
not only failed to protect, but he
’d
hurt her instead. Even knowing that they both would likely have died if he hadn’t, it was still a disgrace that his body had even functioned under the circumstances. What kind of a man did that? Not a protector. “What have I done, Da?”

Faelan dropped down to his haunches next to Tavis. Tavis hadn’t heard him coming. But Faelan had always been the stealthiest of the brothers. Even when they were lads, he could always sneak up on them. He was bare-chested and wore the same strange trousers that the guards had worn.

“This is Da’s grave?” Faelan touched the worn stone, his face somber.

“Aye.”

“He was here all the time. We thought he was buried in Scotland?”

“That’s what we wanted everyone to believe.”

“How did he die?” he asked quietly.

“Ian and I found him in the woods.” Tavis nodded toward the path behind the chapel. “Da was already dead. Quinn didn’t last long. Long enough to tell me Voltar attacked them.”

“Voltar? Druan told me he
’d
killed him.”

“Probably just to torment you. Damned demons.”

Faelan stared at the blank stone. “If I hadn’t got myself locked in the time vault, he wouldn’t have died.”

“It wasn’t your fault. What we do is dangerous. Sometimes we suffer losses. We’ll mark his grave. Let the world know where he rests.”

Tavis nodded. “We’re all that’s left of the family.”

“No. All those warriors you met. They’re all related to us through Ian.”

“Ian. It took me a long while to convince him this was the right thing to do,” Tavis said.

“I don’t blame him for not wanting to.” Faelan shook his head. “I’m not sure I would have agreed. You should have left me to fend on my own.”

“I couldn’t do that,” Tavis said.

“You bloody fool.” Faelan hit him on the shoulder, but Tavis knew it was really a hug. “I wish you hadn’t come, for your sake. But for mine, I’m glad you did. I thought I
’d
lost everyone.”

“I wondered if I
’d
ever see you again. I thought you might be dead. We all did. Druan’s sorcerer said he thought you were alive.”

“It was a smart thing you did, killing Druan’s sorcerer.”

“Do you know who he was? Old Donnal.”

“From the apothecary shop?”

“Aye. His real name was Selwyn. He was working on Druan’s virus there. And Druan had Selwyn following another demon who was there to kill a warrior. Selwyn couldn’t remember the demon’s name but said it started with an L. That was when Liam died.”

“The demon came to kill Liam?”

“Aye. Da wasn’t the reason Liam died.”

“I thought he grabbed him because he was the easiest target, the youngest of Da’s boys. Did you tell Da?”

“He was dead when we got back to Frederick and Isabel’s. I wish I could have told him. That would have been one less guilt to carry to his grave.”

“I’ve thought about the demon often,” Faelan said. “I think I should know him, but I can’t place his face.”

“I can’t either. I can see him, but I can’t. It was a demon who helped us find the sorcerer.”

“A demon? The clan still tells the story, but no one mentioned it being a demon.”

“Ian wouldn’t have told. We don’t know who it was, and who would have believed it anyway?”

“You don’t know him?”

“Neither of us could remember his face. It was like he stole our memories.” Tavis frowned. “Just like in the fortress.”

“I don’t know how Ian did what he did.”

Tavis could still see the tears running down Ian’s face as the lid closed. “I near had to knock him over the head to get him to see that it had to be me. He had the mark for Bessie.”

“That soon?”

“He was hiding it. I didn’t have anyone, so it had to be me.” Tavis thought about Marna, her plain face that looked pretty when she laughed. “I hope he was happy.”

“He didn’t live long,” Faelan said. “He died three years after Da.”

“No.” Tavis’s throat tightened. He
’d
hoped Ian lived a long life and had lots of sons and daughters. “How?”

“Druan killed him. Unless he lied about that too. But he showed me Ian’s casket just before I destroyed him. He put his hand on my head, and I saw it all. Ma and Ian’s son mourning.”

“He had a son?”

“Three. His wife was expecting twins when Ian died. I saw their graves.”

“Bloody demon. I thought Ian would live a good long life. What about Ma and Alana?”

“Ma died when she was fifty-three. Alana lived a long time, had lots of bairns,” Faelan said. “But we can’t focus on what we’ve lost now. We have to focus on keeping you alive. On the clan’s safety. Are you sure it was Tristol and Voltar?”

“I’m sure. I didn’t recognize Tristol at the fortress, but as soon as I saw Voltar, my memories came back.”

“You shouldn’t have attacked him. You could have been killed.”

“Voltar’s my demon. Michael assigned him to me right after Ian and I found Da dead.”

“An ancient demon?” Faelan ran a hand over his face. Then he frowned. “But if Michael assigned him to you, then…”

“I walked away from the assignment.”

“Shite.”

“Family comes first. I
’d
sworn to myself that I would help you get rid of Druan.”

“I can’t believe you ignored Michael’s order. And an ancient demon, no less. You can’t fight him now. You’re weak still.”

“I’m not even sure he’s still mine.”

“Maybe he’s been reassigned,” Faelan said. “But I haven’t heard, and I think news like that would travel.” He frowned. “Druan was still mine, even after all that time.”

“Voltar said he
’d
been waiting for me.”

“Then he knows? Well, you’re not to go near him.”

“Don’t start playing big brother. I’ll heal,” Tavis said. “You can’t fight my battles.”

“Like you always try to fight mine? Whenever I’m in trouble, you’re right behind me. You came after me to finish Druan off for me, thinking I might be dead. Isn’t that so?”

Tavis shrugged.

“You’ve always been watching out for me,” Faelan said. “Well, you’re weak, and I’m not letting you near Voltar.”

Tavis grinned. “You haven’t changed a bit. Other than got yourself a bonny wife.” Something he would never have. He
’d
decided long ago that love was a dangerous thing. He didn’t believe in destined mates, the way some of his clan did. Not that it didn’t happen sometimes. But more often than not, love led to heartache. Just look at their mother, losing her husband and two sons. He bore the burden of choosing to leave, adding to her pain, but he
’d
had little choice. It
’d
had to be him or Ian. Ian had Bessie. Destined mate or not, Ian loved her. Tavis had nothing but his family. He
’d
failed them once by letting Liam die. He hadn’t been about to fail Faelan too.

“Faelan,” a woman’s voice called softly, interrupting them.

“That’s her now, hardheaded woman. She’s supposed to be resting,” Faelan said, but his voice was soft, like their father’s had been when he spoke of their ma. “But she won’t listen, no matter that she’s carrying my bairn.”

Tavis felt an odd jolt hit the middle of his chest. “You’re having a bairn?”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A
YE.
” F
AELAN SMILED
. “You’re going to be an uncle.”

Tavis was glad that his brother had found happiness, after all he had lost. “I guess there was no marrying your mate, under the circumstances.”

“Bree is my mate.”

“You’re not even from the same time.”

“I think it was meant to be this way. Perhaps it was meant for you to be here too.” Faelan laid a hand on Tavis’s shoulder, but Tavis was lost in thought.

“How did you know she was your mate?”

“I knew as soon as I looked at her. I recognized her. Well, first I tried to cut her head off. I thought she was a demon.”

“I’m surprised she married you.”

Faelan got a wistful smile. “Aye, it still surprises me too. To think that I would lose everything and find a wife from the future. It’s bloody strange.”

“It is, in other ways too.”

“How’s that?”

“Does your wife know that her family was watching over your time vault?”

“What?”

“Isabel and Frederick swore someone in their family would always protect you.”

“Damnation. I don’t think she knows. But Bree’s grandmother did ask if I was the one in the crypt…bloody hell. How could I know that? Bree’s grandmother died before I was released from the time vault. I guess I dreamed it. I think the vault messes with your mind. I feel like I know things I couldn’t know. Like Bree. I’m sure that I knew her before. But it’s impossible.”

Just like it was impossible that he could have known Anna. “We left letters for you explaining what happened.”

“I didn’t get them.”

“They were in the bottom of Da’s trunk in Isabel’s attic. She said she
’d
protect them.”

“I’ve seen the trunk. I heard something rattling inside, but there wasn’t a key.”

“We wanted you to know what happened, that I was coming, so you could wake me.”

“I was to wake you?” His face paled. “I didn’t even know. If Angus hadn’t found you…”

He could have been locked in there forever.

“Faelan,” his wife called again. “If you don’t answer me, I’m coming out there. I don’t care if there might be demons watching the place.”

Faelan scowled. “Damnation. I
’d
better go before she comes out here and falls in a hole. She finds the bloody things like a midge finds dung. Here.” Faelan pulled a dagger from his belt. “This is yours.”

“Where
’d
you find it?”

“Bree found it under Quinn’s coffin.”

“She climbed in a grave?” Tavis asked. She must be brave. Or odd.

“She likes graves. I’m trying to keep her from being so rash and bold, but it’s slow going.”

“I wondered where I
’d
lost it. I must have dropped it when we buried Quinn. I’ve been using my dirk.”

“I cleaned it up. It had a bit of rust. It didn’t hold up as good as you. Though you look a mess now. Your Marna wouldn’t think you’re so bonny now. Sorry. It seems like just days since we were there. Back then.”

“Aye.” But it hadn’t. Several lifetimes had passed. “Is there any news of Anna?” He felt awkward mentioning her now that Faelan knew what he
’d
done.

“No. Lachlan and Marcas are still searching the area where the fortress vanished. The Seeker should be here soon. We’ll find her.”

“She thought I was you at first,” Tavis said.

“We always did look alike.”

“She wouldn’t have gotten caught if she hadn’t tried to rescue you.”

Faelan snorted. “All these women keep trying to rescue me. It’s bloody embarrassing. No self-respecting woman would have done such a thing in our day. Women are different now. They don’t listen to a bloody thing you say. It’s hard as the devil to protect them.”

“I know. Anna fought like a man. I thought she was a bit barmy when she said she was a warrior.”

“She’s one of the strongest female warriors the clan has. She’s good. They all are, but I don’t understand why they want to battle. Makes no sense.”

“I want to help look for her. She saved my life, and I’m afraid she’ll pay for it with her own.”

“You need to heal a bit more first,” Faelan said, playing big brother. “Are you coming in?”

Faelan nodded and clapped his shoulder. “Aye.” He glanced around the woods. “Don’t be long. You’re still weak.”

Tavis watched his brother leave the graveyard, following the same path that his brothers and father had taken when they carried him here to be buried a hundred and fifty years ago. Tavis watched as Faelan reached Bree. She wrapped her arms around Faelan and lifted her face for a kiss. He kissed her softly, touched his hand over her stomach, which wasn’t even rounded yet, and took her inside. His brother had found his home here. And his mate.

Tavis thought how familiar Anna had looked to him. How familiar she
’d
smelled. And he wasn’t sure whether he was happy or afraid. He touched the healing cut on the front of his thigh and pulled himself to his feet, supported by the headstone of his father’s grave. Perhaps Faelan was right that it was intended to be. Still, Druan had torn their family apart.

He brushed his damp eyes and heard someone behind him. Female, from the pretty smell.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

He righted himself and turned. It was Faelan’s wife. She wore a skirt that showed almost as much skin as Anna had. Times had certainly changed.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. Faelan said you were still out here, and I was worried. You shouldn’t be alone. You’ve been through a lot.”

“No need to apologize. Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

She waved her hand. “He went off to take a shower. He’ll never know.”

Tavis hid a smile. Faelan had his hands full with this one.

“I see you found something to wear,” she said.

“Aye. The clothes are strange.” He twitched a bit, feeling constricted.

“Faelan’s still trying to get used to them. He hasn’t been out of the time vault much longer than you have.” She looked down at his father’s grave. “This is my favorite grave.”

“You have a favorite grave?”

“I love graves. I’ve always been drawn to this one. It’s his, isn’t it? Your father’s.”

“Aye. We couldn’t put his name on the headstone, in case someone came looking for Faelan.”

“You showed Faelan?”

Tavis turned back to his father’s grave. “Just now.”

“That’s why he rushed to take a shower. He likes to think in there. How awful, having to bury your father so soon after finding Faelan.”

“Aye, it wasn’t easy. Ian took it hard.” Tavis swallowed.

“Faelan has told me so much about his family that I feel like I already know you. He doesn’t like to talk about himself though.”

A smile stung the cut on Tavis’s lip. “You want to know what he was like?”

Her green eyes lit, and it was just like looking at Isabel. “Yes. Please.”

Tavis glanced at one of the cuts on his leg that was almost healed. “He was carefree, in the beginning, always joking around. But later he was like he is now. Trying to save everyone. Trying to save the world.”

“After Liam died. He told me what happened.”

“Faelan blamed himself for Liam’s death. But it wasn’t his fault.” If anything, it was Tavis’s fault. If he
’d
gotten there faster…

“It wasn’t yours either,” Bree said.

Tavis frowned. Had she read his mind? “If I
’d
gotten there quicker, Faelan and I could have kept him from falling.”

Bree put her hand over his, and he felt something run up his arm and settle in his chest. It was almost uncomfortable, like a bee sting. Then she reached out and touched his chest, right on his tingling battle marks, as if she could see them through his shirt. Maybe she had tended him and knew where they were, but it was a bloody bold move on a woman’s part to touch a man’s battle marks. They were personal, almost like touching someone’s mouth or something even more private. He didn’t want to make her feel bad, so he didn’t move away. The sensation in his chest grew stronger. Bree frowned and closed her eyes. His battle marks got hotter. He was about to pull away when she opened her eyes. She looked like she was in pain.

“Are you all right?” he asked her.

“Yes. Yes,” she said, as if trying to convince herself.

“Did you do something to me?”

“What?”

“It felt like you were…reading my thoughts or something.”

“Bree can do all kinds of things other people can’t,” a male voice said.

Tavis turned and saw Ronan approach. He had a bow slung across his back. Was there no privacy in this place?

“She has…powers,” Ronan said.

“Are you a—?”

“A witch?” Ronan asked, grinning.

Bree scowled and smacked his thigh. Tavis was surprised to see his brother’s wife touch another man so intimately. “I’m definitely not a witch. I just get these…feelings.”

“Among other grand feats,” Ronan added, standing so close his legs were almost touching Bree’s.

“I was going to say Watcher,” Tavis said.

“Best we can figure, she’s a warrior and a Watcher.”

“That never happens.”

“Lots of things happen to Bree that never happen to anyone else. Did Faelan tell you she was locked in a time vault for four days, and he used his talisman to open it? She emerged unscathed.”

Tavis stared at his brother’s wife. “That’s not possible.”

“Like I said, she’s not normal.”

“Stop saying that.” Bree smacked Ronan’s thigh again. “You make me sound like a freak.”

“You’re not a freak, darlin’, you’re special.” The warrior was teasing, but there was a look in his eyes that made Tavis wonder if Faelan was certain it was his bairn that she was carrying.

“And don’t you forget it,” Bree said.

“Is this where the key to your time vault was hidden?” Ronan asked.

“Aye. How did you know?”

“Someone had dug the grave up,” Bree said. “I figured someone was looking for something. I thought it might have been Druan looking for Faelan’s key.”

“I think it was Angus,” Tavis said. “Ian was going to bury the key to my time vault there and leave clues so the clan would know where to find it. He didn’t want my key and Faelan’s kept together. Too risky. Isabel and Frederick had Faelan’s.”

“Did Isabel know about Faelan?” Bree asked.

“Aye. We had to make sure someone would keep the crypt safe. We couldn’t let anything happen to it. Isabel and Frederick said they would make sure it stayed in the family and that someone would know to protect it.”

Bree looked surprised. “Grandma knew. She was trying to tell me something before she died. I bet she was going to tell me about Faelan.”

“Bree.” Faelan stood at the back door.

“You should get inside before he starts yelling,” Ronan said to Bree, brushing his hand over her stomach.

Was this normal behavior for this time? He wouldn’t want Ronan touching Anna like that. Not that he had any rights where she was concerned.

“He’s so protective sometimes I could strangle him,” Bree said.

“Aye. He is that,” Tavis said, smiling. It was good to know some things hadn’t changed.

Bree wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, surprising him. He was just as surprised at how hard he returned the hug. Maybe she reminded him of Anna.

“Don’t worry. We’re going to find her.”

Tavis frowned. Was she reading his mind again?

“I’m going to help them later,” Ronan said. He touched Bree’s stomach again, clapped Tavis on the shoulder, and took off.

“You coming in?” Bree asked.

“Soon.” It was nice having people concerned about him. It was almost a bloody miracle. But he needed more time alone. When she had left, he looked at the grave again for several minutes, trying to picture his father’s face as it had been in life, not the last time he
’d
seen it in death. “I didn’t get to tell you that Liam’s death wasn’t your fault,” Tavis said, looking at the ground where his father lay. “The demon came to kill Liam. He must have found out that Liam would be assigned to him.”

Tavis heard someone else approach from outside the graveyard. Bloody hell!

“Would you like to know the demon’s name?”

Tavis turned and saw Lance, the skinny guard, standing outside the graveyard fence. In spite of his weakness, Tavis leapt the fence and had his hands around Lance’s throat before he could run. He could have used his talisman, but he wanted to feel the life drain from the worm’s skinny body.

“Stop, please,” Lance squeaked. “I want to help you.”

Tavis loosened his grip. “Help me? You tortured me.”

“It was the other guard,” Lance said. “Tristol told us to test you, but it wasn’t me who tortured you.”

“You were there, helping.”

“I had no choice. Voltar sent me to spy on Tristol. If I had refused, he would have killed me.”

Tavis kept his hands around Lance’s throat, but he stopped choking him. There was some truth to what Lance was saying. It was the fat guard who had done all the torturing. “You’re working with Voltar?”

“Yes.”

“Why was Voltar spying on Tristol?”

“He knew Tristol had you. He’s been waiting for you for over a century. He knew you were in the time vault, but he didn’t know where it was hidden.”