Faelan: A Highland Warrior Brief (2 page)

“Hold on, Faelan. I’m coming,” Tavis called behind him.

“Hurry, I can’t hold him.”

“No!” Faela
n recognized his father’s roar.

Liam slipped a little more, and Faelan strained with the weight, feeling like his eyeballs would pop. Liam’s hand was slipping through his. Tavis threw himself against the well next to Faelan and grabbed for Liam’s hand.

It was too late.

Chapter Two

Nine years later

Scotland, Connor Castle

The wind whipped his hair against his face as Faelan galloped ahead of the storm. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Tavis on the hill closing in, but Ian hadn’t caught up. Faelan nudged Nandor faster. This time the lucky stone would be his. He and Tavis had been fighting over the rock for as long as they could walk. A tree branch smacked Faelan’s chest, wiping the triumph from his face. He righted himself as Tavis
sped ahead with a victory cry.

“The stone’s mine
,” Tavis shouted over the wind.

Minutes later, Faelan jumped to the ground outside the stables and led Nandor ins
ide, while Tavis held the door.

“Where’s Ian?” Tavis aske
d, looking out into the storm.

“I thought he’d catch up by the burn.” They’d left the castle grounds and almost raced into the village. The storm had caught them by surprise.

“He’s probably hiding in the woods, hoping we’ll come back to look for him,” Tavis said. “Then he’ll race ahead and win.”

Two more crashes sounded. Faelan swung onto Nandor’s back. “This is no prank.”

“You’re not going back out there,” T
avis said, glancing at the sky.

The next flash brought an image of a tiny casket being lowere
d into the ground. “I have to.”

“You’re daft. It’s storming like the devil. We’ll get Da. Ian probably saw the lightning and went to one of the cottages.”

Several cottages had been built along the boundary, where warriors were stationed to protect the castle from intruders, demons and busybodies alike. As far as the village was concerned, this was a horse farm. The clan went to great lengths to make sure no one discovered what they really were. “I can’t leave him out there. He’s my responsibility. I’m the oldest.”

“It’s not your fault,” Tavis said, and they both knew he wasn’t talking about Ian. “You tried to save him. I’m the one who didn’t get
there in time. I’m getting Da—”

“No,” Faelan shouted. “I’ll take care of it.” He rode out the open door into the storm, le
aving Tavis frowning after him.

Nandor’s hoofs splattered mud as they raced across the field into the woods. Faelan wished he’d never suggested this game. He wasn’t a lad anymore. In two years, he would be eighteen and start training to be a warrior. He should’ve known better, read the weather beforehand. Long minutes later, Faelan entered the woods, dodging trees as he raced toward the orchard where they’d found a piece of broken fence that
led outside the castle grounds.

He found Ian in the woods on the other side of the fence, lying face down in the dirt. Faelan tapped Nandor with his heels and the horse galloped toward Ian. Faelan jumped down and ran to his brother. “Ian?” He crouched over him, but Ian didn’t move. Faelan pulled Ian’s kilt over his backside and rolled him over, putting his ear to Ian’s chest. His heartbeat was strong. “Come on, Ian.” A horse whinnied behind him. He turned and saw Tavis jump from his horse and hurry toward them. He should have known Tavis would never stay behind. “His horse must have thrown him,” Faelan said.

Together they carried Ian to Nandor. Faelan whistled, and the young stallion straightened his forelegs and leaned down. They laid Ian across the horse’s back, and Faelan jumped on behind him, adjusting Ian so that he leaned back in Faelan’s arms. Tavis mounted, and they hurried toward home. The storm pelted them with rain, making it hard to see. Faelan gripped his brother’s lanky body as he urged Nandor
on.

Ian roused in sight of the house, and he tried to move, but Faelan held him still
. “Hold on. We’re almost home.”

His father ran across the field toward them, his face black as the sky and just as wet. “What happened?” he yelled as they lifted a grumb
ling Ian off the horse.

“We were racing,” Faelan said. “He was supposed to be behind us, but he didn’t show up. We went back to find him.”

“In this storm? You should’ve come for me. Why do you try to do everything yourself?”

“I’m the oldest. It was my fault for not noticing he wasn’t behind us.” And he hadn’t wanted his father to know they’d gone past the castle grounds. Da was uneasy of late, and had told them to stay close.

“There’s no shame in asking for help, Faelan. You’re not God. All we need is for yo
ur mother to lose another son.”

Subdued, Faelan helped his father carry Ian into the house. They took him into the library and laid
him down near the roaring fire.

Footsteps sounded behind them and Ma came in. “Faelan, you’re dripping wet—” Then she caught sight of Ian and her face blanched as s
he ran to him. “What happened?”

“He’ll be all right, Lena,” Da said. “He just took a tumble.”

“I’ll get my medicine bag.”

While she went for her bag, Tavis leaned over Ian and poked his chest. “You’d best get up or Ma will pour elder
berry potion down your throat.”

Ian sat up quick as an arrow and yelled so loud that Tavis jumped back and tripped over a chair. Ian hated Ma’s elderberry potion and had often swore that he’d rather die than take it. He looked around the room, h
is eyes wide. “Did you see it?”

Tavis righted
himself, scowling. “See what?”

“The demon.”

All the air left the room. No one moved. “Demon?” Ma said from the doorway, her bag clutched to her chest. She looked as cold and pale as a marble statue, just like she had nine years ago when t
hey’d carried Liam home to her.

Da looked even worse. “A demon on castle grounds?”

The brothers twitched with guilt. Ian looked down at his fingers and shrugged. “Must have imagined it when I got konked on the he
ad.”

But Faelan had seen his face before he
hid it. Ian hadn’t imagined it.

They didn’t have time to question him or to admit that they’d left the castle grounds. There was a knock on the door. Still staring at Ian, Da frowned and went to answer it. Kieran stood outside. The warrior was a familiar face, often staying in one of the cottages while he helped with tr
aining or guarding the castle.

“Some men from the village are here to see you,” Kieran said. “They need your help.” A look passed from Kieran to Da. Faelan knew his father trusted Kieran. Everyone trusted Kieran. He was a mighty warrior. He’d killed a hundred demons his first two years of battle. If Kieran thought the men had good reason to be here, Da would accept his word. Cautiously, the men were ushered in. Faelan recognized Hamish Lester, a furniture maker who lived in Beauly. It was Hamish’s daughter Agnes who had been making Faelan’s life hell. Faelan spent more time trying to avoid her than getting anything else done. Agnes had decided she was in love with him, and nothing short of murder seemed capable of dissuading her from her ambition to become Mrs. Faelan Connor.

“It’s my lass, Agnes,” Hamish said. “She’s missing. Said she was going out for a walk and didn’t come home for supper.” He glanced at Faelan. “I thought your lad might have seen her.” Hamish looked tired and scared. Faelan reckoned he’d be relieved if his daughter had come for a lover’s tryst. Whi
ch she most definitely had not.

Da glanced at Faelan. “Have you seen the lass?”

He shook his head. “No. Last time I saw her was two days ago.” She’d followed him into the apothecary shop when he went to p
ick up a potion for his mother.

The younger man with Hamish was Alasdair. He was two years older than Faelan, and he’d been sweet on Agnes for months now. It had caused considerable friction between Faelan and Alasdair, who knew how Agnes felt, and the situation hadn’t improved when Faelan recently bested Alasdair in a wrestling match. Da had raked Faelan over the coals, since a warrior’s superior strength and training
gave him an unfair advantage.

“Her mother must be out of her mind with w
orry,” Ma said, her face drawn.

“Aye. She’s threatening to go after her herself if we don’t find her. We’ve looked everywhere.” Again, Hamish and Alasdair glanced at Fae
lan, and he felt his neck warm.

Tavis came up beside him. “You didn’t do anything daft did you?” he whispered.

Faelan gouged Tavis lightly i
n the ribs. “’Course I didn’t.”

Tavis shrugged. “Well, she’s after you like maggots on dung. And last night you were moaning
...
”

Faelan glared
at him, but Tavis didn’t stop.

“Sounded like you were wresting with someone in your bed.” Tavis grinned. “I reckoned you were dreaming of a girl. Maybe Agnes.”

“I was not dreaming of Agnes,” he whispered harshly. An image of a girl with dark hair and green eyes popped in his head. He didn’t know who she was, the image wasn’t clear, but he was mortified that Tavis had heard. He’d have to give him the bloody rock that was still in his sporran to keep his mouth shut. If Ian found out
...he’d never hear the end of it.

It was times like this that Faelan wished he had his own bedroom. But with so many warriors traveling through, they needed the extra rooms for guests. And for the most part, he liked having his brothers near. It was
easier to keep an eye on them.

Faelan looked at Ian now, and the fear in his eyes made Faelan cold despite the fire blazing in the hearth. If Ian had seen a demon and Agnes had come here looking for Faelan
, she could be dead...like Liam.

Faelan still remembered his brother’s wee limp body dripping water when they finally pulled him out. Da had climbed into the well after him without even a rope, but it was too late. Liam hadn’t drowned, the doctor said. He’d hit his head on one of the rocks when he fell. Faelan still didn’t know why the demon wanted to hurt a bairn. And there’d been no way to fi
nd out. The demon had vanished.

As soon as the funeral was over, Da put them all on a ship to America, claiming they were visiting kin. As far as Faelan could fathom, it was the first time his father had told him a lie. They had no kin in Philadelphia. He’d heard him and Ma whispering one night. Da believed the demon had killed Liam out of revenge against him. Da had killed a female demon when he was active, and her mate had sworn that one day he’d have vengeance. Da feared the demon would come back to kill the rest of his children. They’d only stayed a year, and when they came home, it was another year b
efore the worry left Da’s face.

“I’ll gather some men,” his father said. “We have several
...
cousins visiting.” His father put his hand on Hamish’s shoulder. “I know what your wife and you must be feeling.” His face tightened. “You go on home and comfort her. We’ll find Agnes and bring her home. She probably got caught in the storm and
took shelter until it passed.”

Hamish nodded. “I thank you.”

His father whispered something to Kieran before the warrior escorted Hamish and Alasdair out. Faelan and Tavis volunteered to help search for her, but their father told them to get dry and stay with their mother. While he arranged a search party, Faelan’s mother checked Ian over to make sure he was okay. He was quiet, which was odd for Ian. It wasn’t until they were in the bedroom changing into dry clothing that they got the truth out of Ian.

“It was the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen,” Ian said. “Pale yellow eyes and gray skin.”

Faelan remembered another demon with yellow eyes and gray skin dangling Liam over the well. “How did you see it and not us?”

“It poked its head out after you and Tavis passed. It was watching from the trees.”

“Are you sure you’re not pullin
g one over on us?” Tavis asked.

“I’m not lying,” Ian said. “It spooked my horse.”

“Then why didn’t you tell Da the truth?” Faelan asked.

“Did you see Ma’s face? You know she was thinking about Liam. I couldn’t have her worry.”

“If there’s a demon that close to Connor land we need to worry,” Faelan said. “We have to tell Da. They’re expecting to find a daft lass, not a demon.”

“Pish,” Tavis said. “If Agnes ran into a demon, she’s probably dead.”

Ian nodded, his face sti
ll pale, and started to get up.

“No. I’ll go tell him,” Tavis said. “You’re liable to fall off your horse and break your neck this time. Then Ma
will
have something to grieve over.”

“You’ll both stay here and protect Ma and the castle,” Faelan ordered. “I’ll tell Da.”

“You’re doing it again
,
” Tavis said. “Ordering us around.”

“Both of you shut up. My head aches,” Ian said. “Besides, Da and Kieran left alr
eady. You’ll never catch them.”

“I’ll catch them.” Faelan slipped his dirk into his boot and went onto the balcony outside their room. The storm had blown past, but night had brought a cold chill. In the distance, he heard the search party calling for Agnes. The castle sat on five hundred acres, much of it wooded. She could be anywhere, if she was here, although he didn’t know why in tarnation she would come. He’d made it clear that he had no intention of marrying her. He couldn’t marry her even if he wanted to. Agnes wasn’t from one of the clans, and warriors couldn’t take a mate from outsi
ders. It was against the rules.