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Authors: Patty Taylor

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BOOK: Mortal Magick
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Chapter 9

“Hear me now, witch,” Duncan screamed, watching the sky. “I’m ready to bargain if ye’re ready to talk.”

A gust of wind brushed against his chest. He braced himself. Something cold pressed against his lips. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, fighting the urge to spit.

“So, love, you’ve come to your senses after all,” a soft-spoken voice whispered in his ear.

“Is it mere fear of me or the fact that ye still dinna have the stomach to appear in front of me face after what ye’ve done to me own flesh and blood?” Duncan asked, clenching his fists at his sides.

“I suggest, if you wish to bargain, you change your attitude. I may not be as gracious next time you call,” she hissed.

“There willna be a next time if we can come to terms.” Duncan lowered his voice and clenched his teeth. “If ye promise no more harm will come to me nephew and ye willna interfere while I take the young woman to safety outside Dunscaith, I am willin’ to wed ye then.”

Laughter filled the air. “I agree, only if you hand over the talisman.”

“I dinna know of any talisman. If I had such an item, I’d have no qualms to give it to ye right now. I have no need for such foolish things.” Duncan was glad the golden amulet was hidden safely at camp. It must be very important if the sorceress wanted it. “Are ye willin’ to agree to the deal or not. I promise I willna ask again.”

“Do not take me for the fool, Duncan. I don’t believe you. My cards and crystals never lie. You’re hiding something to protect that little redheaded witch.”

“Me only wish is to repay her for savin’ young Colin’s life after ye tried to take him from this earth.” The veins in his neck grew taut, his face heated with anger. “Not many a woman would risk her own life for a stranger’s.”

“Pity. I see you’ve already fallen under her spell. She’ll cause you nothing but pain and heartache.” Invisible cold fingers raked through his hair. “When you bring me the talisman, only then will I make you my husband and break the curse.”


Mo creach
!” Duncan swore. “Aye, I’d be a bloody damn fool to think I could trust yer wicked soul. The only promise I’ll grant is to make ye regret the day ye were born if I catch ye hurtin’ either of them again.”

Like falling leaves drifting to the ground, his threat was carried away by the wind. After stating her terms, the witch had already gone.

“I must have that talisman. It’s the key I’ve been searching for that will take me to realms beyond this time.” The heavy door slammed shut behind her as Gabrielle threw her cloak on the back of the wooden chair. “Damn that redheaded witch. And damn Duncan and the rest of the clan. Does he really think I am stupid enough to believe his lies?”

Gabrielle rushed to her favorite trunk she used for an altar and knelt. She swiped her arm across the top, sending black candles and shimmering gems crashing to the floor, before raising the latch and pushing the lid open. She laughed, lifting a worn leather book from the trunk and clutching it to her chest. “Griselda never thought to look in here for her precious
Book of Shadows
. I hid it well. Right under her nose.”

“Gabrielle. No!” An old woman hobbled toward her, holding two croaking large bullfrogs, the size of grapefruits, one in each hand. “I warned ye before, ye will pay a high price if ye consider using that book for evil. Haven’t ye caused enough trouble as it is?”

“You fool. Your words don’t threaten me. You lost your powers years ago.” Gabrielle straightened, glaring at Griselda, and pointed to the floor. “And put those bloody frogs back in their cage where they belong.”

Gabrielle glided her fingers across the cover. The warm force of magick flowed through her veins. She smiled, opened the book, and carefully sorted through the brittle pages until she found the one she sought. “I see why you hid this book. You were afraid of it, weren’t you?”

“Not of the book, Gabrielle. Only concerned this day would finally come and ye’d be tempted to use something more powerful than ye can handle.” Griselda straightened from bending over the cage and wrung her hands. Her face twisted with frustration, and her eyes filled with pain.

“I’m tired of listening to your never-ending whining, old woman. I was young, but I can still remember how much you mourned the loss of the
adored
twin. What a heavy burden you must’ve carried all these years, knowing you couldn’t make her better, since she was under your care.” Gabrielle rose and strolled to the shelves, picking over an assortment of potions and powders. “I wonder if you would have been as devastated if I were the one to get sick and die instead of her.”

“Gabrielle, ye should know better.” Griselda wiped tears from her wrinkled face and grabbed Gabrielle’s arm. “I beg of ye, put that book back before ‘tis too late and ye live to regret something horrible.”

“Nonsense.” Gabrielle pushed Griselda out of her way, making the woman stumble backward and fall to the floor. “The only thing I regret is not doing this sooner.”

Gabrielle ignored Griselda, sobbing on the floor, pleading with her to stop. The spell instructed her to read the words loud and clear while beads of blood from her hand dropped and soaked deeply into the worn pages.

Thunder clapped and a gust of wind blew the door wide open. Her beloved bats hanging upside-down on wide beams screeched, fluttering their wings above her head. Her knees buckled, splinters scratching her hands as she hit the floor. A black mist swirled, enveloping her body.

Gabrielle’s eyelids fluttered open. She jolted and sat upright. Any good memories she had were now dead, a thing of the past. This new power was her future. The high cost of the spell—selling her soul for dark sorcery—was nothing compared to what she would gain now.

Her body shook with laughter. “With the aid of black magick, the clan will soon beg for my help. Their precious Duncan will live to regret his refusal of my offer, and the talisman will soon be mine.”

Chapter 10

Keara rolled on her side and groaned. Her eyelids blinked as she rubbed the knot on the back of her head. “I hurt
everywhere
.”

She couldn’t remember a time when her body was in this much pain. A good, hot shower would help, but from the looks of things she was still stuck in this bizarre dream, or else someone was playing a cruel trick on her. Like Dennis, perhaps. Besides, she wouldn’t put it past him to get some of his big-shot corporate buddies to hire someone to knock her out and fly her across the globe in one of their private jets. Once she got home she’d make sure the police paid the bastard a visit.

Keara studied Duncan stroking his horse’s neck. The stallion nuzzled its muzzle against the Highlander’s chest as Duncan uttered strange words she’d never heard before. She could listen to his voice and burr for hours. He’d make an excellent storyteller. The man obviously had a unique gift with animals and she’d seen firsthand the way persnickety Samson reacted around him. Heaving the heavy sheepskin over her head, she whined privately in anguish. If she hadn’t known better, she would’ve sworn she’d had too much wine to drink the previous night.

“Keara? Are ye all right, lass?” A hand patted the thick pelt layered over her shoulder. “I let ye sleep the morn away, but ye soon need to get up and eat. ‘Twill make ye feel better.”

“I’m awake.” She groaned in protest and lifted her nose over her fingers as she tucked the fleece beneath her chin. She peered up at Duncan, his endearing dimples flashed at her.

“Good morning. You should have woken me up, I was hoping to get an early start.” She returned his charming smile and squinted at the canopy of gloomy clouds and muttered beneath her breath, “I guess there won’t be any cabs coming by this way anytime soon.”

The day was dismal and dreary. A thick mist floated over the moors in the distance. She stretched her arms above her head. The raw air didn’t help her sore joints any.

“It’s well past noon.” He lifted his head to the foggy sky. “I hope ye’re hungry. I caught a hare for our dinner that’s waitin’ to be skinned. ‘Tis still time for a quick wander to the stream to freshin’ up a bit if ye’ve a mind to.”

Sitting up, she leaned on her elbows and rested her chin in her hands. Her gaze focused on the lower hem of Duncan’s brown plaid as it brushed against his firm thighs. With each long stride, his leg muscles rippled. Her heart hammered madly against her chest as she tried to ignore the reawakened desire surging through her veins.

Samson growled, swatting at the dead hare. Distracted by the spirited frolics, she took a deep breath and yawned. Prickling pain like bee stings ran down the right side of her face. She winced. Her face held taut as her fingers traced the raised pleats of swollen welts. Memories of last night’s confrontation with the wicked voice came rushing back. She jolted upright and searched for Colin. Her heart quivered in her chest.

“Where’s Colin?” she asked, worried he might have had a setback. “Is he all right? I hope he hasn’t fallen ill.”

“Aye, the lad is fine.” Duncan’s eyebrows rose, watching her intently. “I sent him off on an errand. He’ll be back by morn.”

“You sent him off all by himself? Do you really think that’s wise after what happened yesterday?” Her tone was sharper than she’d intended. Grateful for Colin’s sheepskin vest to keep her warm, she wrapped it tighter around her chest.

“He’ll not be by himself.” A frown creased Duncan’s mouth, and a shadow of annoyance crossed his handsome face. He glanced away, avoiding her eyes as if he was hiding something. “Me good friend Darby will keep a close eye on the lad.”

An awkward silence loomed like a heavy fog closing in around them. She stood baffled, staring at him, unable to turn away. She watched him draw a sharp dagger from a pouch attached to the side of his leather boots. Without hesitating, he skinned their dinner. The name Darby sounded vaguely familiar.

His calm tone broke the tension. “I dinna’ know what a cab is.”

A cool breeze swept by. Her mind whirled in confusion. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before she spoke. Then she sighed and swept stray strands of hair from her eyes and said, “How do you not know what a cab is?”

His nearness was becoming disturbing, but exciting at the same time. Something she wasn’t accustomed to feeling.

“A cab is . . . well, a cab is . . . it’s complicated.” She spied his horse pawing the ground and smiled. “A cab’s similar to a horse, except it’s made of metal and has an engine. Instead of feeding it hay, it gets fed a certain fuel we call gasoline.”

Duncan glanced at his steed and studied the stallion in silence. His face full of interest, he stared back at her. A muscle clenched along his left jaw as he rubbed his chin. “A horse made of metal ye say? Goliath ‘tis plenty a grand steed and ‘tis good enough for me. I dinna fathom the idea of any warrior wantin’ to wrap his legs around a cold, hard piece of metal.”

She knelt in front of him and smoothed the dirt with her hands before grabbing a stick and sketching the outline of a cab on the ground. “Here. It’s the best I can do without my sketchpad and pencils, but its close enough to give you an idea.”

His eyes widened, fascinated with the outline. His gaze returned to his horse. “I’ll stick with Goliath.”

A warm feeling filled her chest. Her body relaxed. The tight knots in her stomach began to unwind. Keara couldn’t help herself and chuckled. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Her face flushed warm. Between juggling a heavy work load at her job and planning her wedding the past few months, she couldn’t remember the last time she even felt like laughing.

Duncan’s stunning turquoise eyes studied her face. His smile broadened in approval of her laughter. Dennis, her ex-fiancé, used to get irritated whenever she laughed. The Highlander’s genuine candor gave her joy, and she found herself enjoying his company. Even during the short period of time she’d been around this man, he’d made her feel safe. She sensed in her heart he would never do anything to purposefully harm her.

“Aye, lass, ‘tis grand to hear ye chuckle.” His mouth twitched in amusement. “Aye, ye need to make it a regular practice. It brings a pleasant color to yer fair cheeks.”

She pulled her cell phone from her pocket. Damn. She sighed. Duncan gave her a side-long glance, eyeing the phone.

“I’m afraid the battery’s dead. All this dampness probably isn’t doing it any good either.”

“I’ve nev’r seen anythin’ like that before. ‘Tis called a phone, ye say?” he asked, raising his eyebrows and leaning over to get a better look.

“Are you serious? You’re really kidding me now. Right?” She stared at him, her mouth open. “Haven’t you ever seen a telephone? Maybe you’re just used to the old styles that hang on the wall. Gosh, the last one of those I remember seeing was at my grandmother’s house when I was a kid.”

Like an excited little boy, his face split into a wide grin. “Would ye mind if I took a gander at it? What does it do?”

And Dennis accused me of living in the backwoods.
She handed him the phone and watched him rub his fingers over the keys before rolling it around in his hand and turning it upside-down. “You really don’t know what it does, do you? You talk to people and send text messages, take photographs, email . . .”

“I see. More of yer magick.” His jaw clenched, Duncan hastily handed it back to her. His fingers were warm as they brushed against hers.

Her pulse quickened at his touch. She studied his handsome features while he turned his attention back to the fire. Her fingers traced the outline of the phone where he had touched it, and she quickly shoved it back inside her pocket. Frustrated, she exhaled and pushed a strand of hair away from her cheek.
Well, this certainly isn’t going very well.
“It’s not magick, Duncan, it’s like a miniature computer. Oh, never mind.”

Goliath neighed and pawed at the ground. He must have finished eating his carrots.

Duncan’s horse. Of course, why didn’t she think of that earlier? She’d never ridden a horse before, but there was always a first time, especially if it meant getting home. Maybe she could convince Colin to go with her and bring the stallion back.

“Since there aren’t any cabs nearby, would you mind if I borrowed Goliath?” she asked, not expecting the scowl on his face. “I’m willing to pay, of course. Once I get to a motel and a phone, Beth, my sister, will be glad to wire me enough money for airfare and your inconvenience.”

“I wouldna’ accept yer money. I’m afraid Goliath is not for sale at any price.” His jaw tightened as he rested the knife on his knee. “These strange things ye speak of, I dinna’ understand. Yer home must be grander than all the castles in Scotland to have such valuable possessions.”

“Duncan, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.” She sat back, bewildered by his response. What kind of remote place was she stranded in that people didn’t know what a motel was, or even a simple telephone? She reached over and laid her hand on his arm. “I didn’t realize you weren’t familiar with these things I take for granted every day. What about the nearest train station? Certainly traveling by train should be something you know about?”

Duncan held the tip of the knife close to the flame and shook his head no.

“Are you sure there aren’t any of these things
anywhere
in Scotland?” she asked.

“Aye, I know me way verra well around the Isle of Skye and been to Edinburgh and Glasgow. I havena’ seen or heard of these things ye ask about. I promise ye, lass, I’ll help ye find yer way back home as soon as I settle some important business first.”

Bewildered, her heart skipped a beat and she swallowed a lump in her throat. She decided to drop the discussion of finding the nearest city or sign of civilization for the time being. At least until after supper. Maybe after a good meal, Duncan would start to remember
something
. Besides, why would he lie to her after he saved her life?

His gaze suddenly dropped from her eyes to her shoulders, and then to her breasts. He turned his head in a hurry and resumed skinning the rabbit.

“I think I’ll take a quick stroll to the stream and wash my hands. I’m not much of a cook, but if you like, I’ll try to help once I get back.” A fire blazed through her limbs. She stared at the ground, avoiding his face.

“I found a wee sliver of soap wrapped in some linen tucked inside Colin’s bag. His mum packed items for the lad I dinna’ carry. I’ll call for ye in plenty of time before dinner.” He tossed a rabbit foot on top of the boulder as he went about skinning the enormous hare.

“Thank you, I shouldn’t be long.” She ambled in hast and grabbed the small items next to Colin’s sack. With a quick glance at Duncan, she was glad to see his focus was centered on his task. She scampered down the trampled grass path and headed for the stream to get washed.

She knelt by the water’s edge and stared at her reflection. Her fingers wiggled beneath the cold, trickling water. She sighed, praying her fears and recent suspicions weren’t just confirmed by the genuineness of the rugged Highlander.

It just doesn’t make any sense
. She combed her fingers through her hair trying to untangle tight masses. The bump on her head seemed smaller.
No phones. Strange clothes. No cabs or motels. Old weapons. No streetlights or nearby roads. No power lines. And he never even heard of a train
?

She shivered. Her stomach twisted in knots—she had a bad gut feeling something was drastically wrong here.

The name Darby kept nagging at her. Since she woke, her mind was hazy and sheltered as if a pair of wooden shutters was blocking everything out. The memory of a certain voice popped in her head like sunlight filtering through a pair of lacy curtains.

She hurried and finished washing her face and arms and wrapped the pleasant-smelling sliver of soap inside the small linen cloth. Her skin clean and tingling, she felt much better. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and tied it with a small strip of material she saved from her ruined capris. Her spirits lifted. She closed her eyes and tried to remember anything that might trigger her memory.

Darby. That’s it! It must have been his voice I heard yesterday evening before I fell unconscious. I remember now! By the Goddess, it’s all starting to come back now. There was a terrible storm, and Samson and I went looking for Beth. The golden amulet! That’s how I must have gotten here.

She rose and scrambled up the steep hill. For the life of her, she wondered how she was going to get out of this mess. She feared her dream just turned into a nightmare. “It’s time Duncan and I have a serious talk.”

Bloody hell!
Keara’s enticing presence was causing a rush of mixed emotions. Like a doomed bug caught in a spider’s web, Duncan felt like he was trapped in this mess until Darby made it back with Colin. Duncan wasn’t sure how he was going to handle being alone for an entire day with the woman. The feisty lass enchanted his very soul every time their eyes met. If only things had been different. Right now, he certainly couldna afford to be distracted by romantic notions.

Nay, ‘twas mere foolishness to even be thinkin’ of such thoughts. He’d make sure both her and Colin were sent packing at first light the day on the morrow. Furious at his vulnerability to her, the sharp tone of her voice still lingered in his mind. She’d practically accused him of not carin’ about Colin’s welfare.
Och
, the confoundin’ woman didna’ have any right to question him or his decisions.

A metal horse
.
What nonsense
. These foolish contraptions she rambled on about. Aye, the phone he had seen with his own eyes and held in his own hands. There was no denyin’ she’d made up that thing in her head. These things she spoke of only confirmed she was a powerful witch or had a fierce imagination. Maybe she was still sufferin’ from her recovery. He had the strong suspicion she had a hard time admittin’ she was a witch. Still, this could be a ploy on her part.

Images of her strange undergarments flashed through his head. If these other contraptions were anythin’ like what he got a wee glimpse of, he was willin’ to take a closer look. He still had the golden amulet.
Why
hasn’t she asked for it back by now?

The recent confrontation with Gabrielle confirmed his suspicions. Another problem he faced, wondering when he should give it back to her. Afraid it would put her at greater risk, he would probably hold onto it until Darby could get her and Colin to the nearest village.

Irritated they were still stuck at the same spot, he should have already been to the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle by now and concentrating on arriving at his final destination. As soon as Darby got back with Colin he’d start out on his own like before. Good thing he had given himself extra time. There was still less than two weeks before Samhain Eve.

BOOK: Mortal Magick
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