Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) (21 page)

Monroe scowled. “The fact you need to say anything tells me you’re still an arse. Yes, I’ll keep quiet. Will it hurt them?”

“Mark. Aidan. I’m going to make the pain go away. I want ye to lie still and think of something you like, okay?”

Aidan’ small voice answered him. “Like football? I like football.”

“Aye, lad. Football’s a good thing to think on. Shall I ring your parents and let them know we found you?”

The boy let out a soft sob. “Me mam and pop are dead. I was living at the home.”

“Shhh, Aidan. ‘Twill be alright.”

Looking around to make sure there weren’t any witnesses, Colin took a deep breath. He felt Monroe’s eyes on him. He began with the worst injury. Aidan. Raising the boy’s shirt, he placed his hands over the bullet wound. It was an angry red, swollen and infected. Silver light spilled out of his hands, illuminating the area around them.

Aidan gasped. “It’s so warm.”

He concentrated on the torn flesh, willing it to heal. Minutes passed, he couldn’t say how long but felt the draining effects of expending a high volume of energy. The light subsided, going dim, then extinguishing. The boy looked into his eyes with gratitude before passing out.

“Is that normal? Should he fall asleep like that? Is he okay?”

Shooting the annoying bastard a nasty glare, “Seriously?” Removing his hands, he heard the guy’s sharp intake of breath.

“Wow. It’s like he was never injured. His skin looks sunburned but that’s the only clue anything happened to this kid.”

“If you’re done with the commentary, I’ll heal Mark.” Wisely, the cop or former cop as it was, didn’t say a word.

“Mr. Colin? Are you going to make me better like Aidan? He’s not dead is he?”

Resisting the urge to laugh, he moved over to Mark, kneeling down beside him and looking him in the eye. “He’s sleeping. He’s fine and yes, you’ll be fine lad. You might feel warm like Aidan and then sleepy. When you wake, you’ll be safe. Are you ready?”

The boy nodded, his eyes never leaving Colin.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m going to cut your shirt so I can see the wound.”

“But it’s the only school shirt I have. Amy will be mad it’s ruined.”

“Dinna fash yourself, lad. I’ll see you have a new one.” He paused and when Mark shook his head yes, he pulled out his dirk. Cutting away the fabric, he swore. The kid’s shoulder was shredded by the bullet. He’d hunt down and kill every last Day Walker and minion he could get his hands on. Breathing deeply, he pressed both hands over the wound and concentrated. Sweat broke out on his brow. Silver light filled the garden, glowing bright as a full moon in a clear night sky. Satisfied the boy was healed, he removed his hands. Yep, the only telling sign was now a small pink circle. The color would fade and no one would ever know he’d been shot.

Standing up, Colin swayed. Monroe was there, a hand on his arm. “Thanks. Afraid I won’t be able to dematerialize back to Ravensmore. Catch a ride with you?”

“Of course. Bloody hell, that was fucking amazing.” Shaking his head, the guy looked at him with a new respect. “I’ll call Amy on the way, she’s working so she can meet us in the morning. I didn’t think the boy would be found alive.”

Too weak to lift the kids, Colin let Monroe put the unconscious boys in the backseat while he clambered into the passenger seat. Once he could recharge tonight, he’d be fine. “Since we’ve taken in so many children, I’ve hired a live-in doctor. He can check the boys over.”

“Want me to call Emily?”

“No, I’ll call her. ‘Tis a half hour drive to Ravensmore.” He paused. “Thanks.”

If Monroe was surprised, he did a good job of keeping his face blank. He shrugged at Colin, “Don’t mention it.”

On the way, Monroe called Amy. Told her he’d send a car to bring her to Ravensmore first thing in the morning, thanks to Colin. Let her know they found Mark and he was fine. Hanging up, he faced the warrior. “What will she think when he tells her he was shot but there’s no bullet hole?”

Quirking an eyebrow, Colin expended the effort to answer. “When I healed them, I took the memory of being shot away and replaced it with one where they heard shots, ran and hid. Easier all the way around.”

“Nice trick.”

“Aye.” He was done talking. Pulling out his mobile, he called his wife. “Emily love, I’m on my way back. Monroe is driving me and the two lads.”

“Are you all right? How are they?” He could hear the worry in her voice. Her soft Southern drawl. He hoped she’d never lose it. Shifting to ease his hard on, he answered her. “Both were in pretty bad shape, they’d been shot.” He paused as she fussed. “I healed them, they’ll be fine. I’ll have a car sent to bring the sister, Amy to Ravensmore so she can see for herself Mark is better.”

“Colin, what about the other boy?”

“He’s an orphan. I thought he could stay with us.” He held the phone away from his ear. Gods, she loved kids. Thank Terya, he had his business endeavors or he might go crazy from all the noise. “You healed them. How are you holding up?”

“Don’t worry lass, I’ll be fine tonight.” He hung up, still amazed they had managed to find each other. She was his world.

As the boys slept, they drove in silence, lost in thought. The drive took about thirty minutes. Pulling into the castle, he could hear the children playing, laughing, doing all the things kids should be doing.

“Damn, I thought you only had seven. How many of the little monsters do you have running around the place?”

Colin chuckled. “Aidan will make thirty-one.” At Monroe’s horrified look, he laughed. “You know Emily. She loves kids and wanted to help. We have tons of room so why not?” He shrugged. “I’m teaching the boys to fight with swords.”

“Heaven help us all. Just what we need, little Colin’s running around Scotland.” Monroe was saved a punch to the face by Emily flying down the steps towards the car.

He caught her as they came together, kissing her hard. “Colin? You’re pale.” Choosing to ignore her remark, he pointed the live-in doctor trailing behind Emily to the car. The man peered in the glass. “Looks like they’re awake. I’d like to check them over.”

Nodding, he turned to see Monroe hugging his wife. “You look well. Awful lot of kids you and Colin have here.”

Her whole face lit up as she told the ex-cop about her plan to help all the orphan children of Scotland. Emily picked up Aidan, and the doctor took Mark. “I’ll get them settled in and see you both for tea?”

“Aye, love. We’ll be in shortly.” Colin turned to Monroe. “Shall we go in for a whisky?”

“Thought you’d never ask.”

Colin greeted the kids playing outside in the cold. “Come in soon. Meg will have tea and biscuits waiting.” A thunderous roar answered him and he and Monroe stood back as the fifteen or twenty kids ran for the front door.

Once the dust settled, they went inside. He loved his home. Wondered how Ravensmore looked through the ex-cop’s eyes. Made of gray stone, the castle sat on the edge of a cliff. Open ground in front of the fortress led down to forest. Behind the building was the sea, the walls had never been breached. Colin absently counted the rooms they were currently using. Still plenty of rooms for more children. He’d have to look into restoring Castle Gloom. After all, wasn’t like Hamish needed it. Sweeping thoughts of his traitorous long-dead brother aside, he led Monroe to the library.

“Dude, I’d forgotten the floors were heated. You look like something the cat dragged in.”

He waved the comment away. “Ravensmore was built on an old Roman fort. They figured out the heated floors, running water and bathing chambers. My ancestors kept the features intact, cheaper that way.” Monroe smiled. “Thrifty bastards.”

Handing him a tumbler of the estate whisky, he sank into a chair, catching Monroe’s look. “‘Tis from expending the energy to heal the boys. I’ll be fine tonight.”

They sat in companionable silence enjoying the spirits. A timid knock sounded at the door. “Enter.”

A girl of about nine or ten came in bearing a tray. She placed it on the table in front of Colin and Monroe. “Milord. Meg sent tea, sandwiches, and molasses cookies. Well, I made the cookies.” The lass blushed, looking at her feet.

“You made them? I shall have one first then.” Colin took one and handed the platter to Monroe who took a handful. “Delicious, Anne.” She turned and ran from the room.

“I think she has a crush on you.”

“The kids are cute. You know one of them found the secret passages, and they’ve had a grand time jumping out and scaring each other and the staff. If my hair could turn gray, I’d have a headful by now.”

Quiet descended on the room as both attacked the sandwiches. Colin shifted in his chair, tired. Monroe cleared his throat. “Emily said you’ve been making wine and cheese?”

He raked a hand through his hair. “Aye. ‘Twill be years before anything is ready but ‘tis something I’ve wanted to do for a while.”

A few crumbs were all that remained on the empty tray. Draining his glass and pouring another to take up to his room, Monroe bid Colin goodnight. “I’m going to take some of your fine whisky upstairs and turn in. Amy will be here in the morning to pick up Mark.”

“Sleep well. I’d like to hear more about this ‘death to all’ Mors Omnibusa Corporation front for the Day Walkers. But first I need to recharge.”

“Colin?” He turned, looking at the guy. “Thanks for the help.”

Maybe he was beyond spent or maybe the guy was starting to grow on him. “Glad I could help.” And what did you know? He meant it. In the hallway, Worthington was waiting to show Monroe to his room. Emily came bustling from the kitchen. Putting her arms around him, she whispered in his ear. “Come Milord, let’s get you into bed.”

“I have enough energy left to properly bed you before we sleep, lass.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, kissing her soundly as they made their way up the stairs to their room, children calling out goodnight as they passed various rooms. The sounds of their voices filling Ravensmore with laughter and love.

What a difference a year made.

Curled up in the window-seat, Maggie was ready to throw something. But not the wonderful snacks Stephan must have brought in moments ago. The mug was still steaming. Thorne. Yes, he was scary but the guy also pissed her off. Sipping her tea, she opened the book. When was the last time she’d read anything? Maybe during a slow time when she waitressed? Too damn long. The story pulled her in, taking her mind off Mr. Infuriating and Mr. Arrogant. A knock at the door pulled her out of the old South. She was rooting for Scarlett and Rhett to end up together. Standing, she stretched, working the kinks out of her back from sitting still so long.

“How are you? Do you need anything?”

Anger bloomed. “Other than flipping out when someone scarier than Solien showed up in the library, I’m good. What did he mean about me changing your fate and you not telling me everything?”

Robert hedged, leaning in her doorway. He was so flippin’ sexy standing there, it was hard to stay angry especially when he ran his hands through that gorgeous hair, mussing it up.

“Thorne believes our lives have already been written out, that everything we do is fated. It’s really quite ridiculous. We all have free will; no one makes my choices but me. The ‘not telling’ is his way of causing trouble. He’s happiest when there’s discord amongst his fighters. Gods tend to be rather nasty at times. No need to worry.”

Scowling at him, she narrowed her eyes. “What aren’t you telling me? I don’t care if you have secrets, everyone does…but deliberately withholding information is something I can’t forgive. Josh did it. Even Ned lied to me, and I thought he and I had…”

“Damn Ned. I’ll kiss the bloody bastard out of you.” Robert pulled her against him, captured her mouth, kissing her hard, marking her. Flesh met a solid wall of muscle. Warmth spread from her mouth, down her throat to pool in her stomach before heading down to her toes. The man could kiss. What was she angry about? Forgetting, she gave her entire being over to kissing him. Her arms went around him, pulling him tighter as he growled deep in his throat. What would he be like in bed? It had been a long time since she’d been with anyone. Didn’t matter she was falling for the charming badass, feelings be damned. Her body wanted him, and truth be told so did her heart.

Breaking the kiss left her adrift, cold. Her knees shook as he let go. Reaching out to steady her body against the doorway, she caught the look on his face. Very satisfied, like a dog with a large, juicy bone. Stalking across the hallway, he slammed his door shut, leaving her there stunned.

Leaning back against the doorjamb, her fingertips went to her lips. They were swollen. Her body was an electrical wire, humming, seeking
him
. Five minutes must have passed before she gathered the will to move. Shutting the door, she found herself in the bathroom with no recollection of how she’d gotten there. Turning on the taps and pouring in bath salts and bubbles, she wandered around the room restlessly picking up objects and putting them back down. Her skin felt too tight, she was jittery and the temperature in the room must have gone up, she was burning up. Stripping off her clothes, she slid down the side of the claw foot tub, sighing in bliss as warmth seeped into her aching body. Resting her head against the edge, her thoughts drifted. So much had happened. She couldn’t imagine how someone who didn’t know about this crazy other world would handle things. Maggie could barely process it herself and she’d been living it. Sliding under the water, sound fell away. Closing her eyes, she pictured a tropical beach, the waves gently rocking her, holding her in their embrace. Surfacing, she washed her hair. Running the soap over her body, she imagined it was his hands caressing her. Arching her back, her nipples puckered as the cold air hit them. The sensation was almost painful. She felt weightless, boneless, teetering on the edge of a precipice. Feelings she’d never experienced crashed over her, raising the gooseflesh all over her body. She stood, dizzy. Holding on to the edge of the bath so she wouldn’t fall, she wound a towel around her hair and another around her body.