Dangerous Highlander

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Cara splashed water on her face to remove the sweat and grime. Once she dried off, she looked around the kitchen to gather food for the evening meal. The way the brothers had been staring at each other she knew Fallon and Quinn were trying to talk Lucan into finding Galen. It was the reason she had gone inside. They could be out there until the sun set, which gave her the time she needed to weed more of the garden.

The light was fading fast, but she didn’t need a lot to pull weeds. The tips of her fingers began to prickle as she walked into the garden. As soon as her hands plunged into the dirt, a quiet calm descended on her soul. She wished she would have helped the nuns tend their garden. Maybe she would have found peace years ago.

As it was, the nuns only let her go out and pick the vegetables or herbs. Nothing more.

She yanked a stubborn weed from the ground and tossed it aside as she thought of how easy she found Lucan’s training. Well, “easy” wasn’t the right word. She liked the time she spent with Lucan and being able to see a part of their world. But it was like her body knew what she needed to do to avoid an attack before her mind did.

Half the time she didn’t know how she was going to avoid Lucan; she just ended up doing it. She had thought he was moving slowly at first, but the more they trained the more she realized she was the one moving faster.

She gasped when her gaze landed on a parsley plant. It was like finding treasure. The small, green leaves were barely visible through the weeds. Cara carefully plucked the weeds away from the herb and marveled at how well the little plant was doing.

Her fingers traced the edges of the leaves, silently urging it to grow, to taste the sun and soil and water.

“Cara.”

She looked over her shoulder to find Fallon and Quinn behind her. “I’ll be there in just a moment.”

“I . . . um . . . I came to tell you something,” Fallon mumbled.

“Just tell me.” With Fallon she never knew if he was drunk or hesitant about speaking about something he thought sensitive. Besides, she had her lovely new find at her fingertips. She smiled and blew dirt off the little leaves, eager to see it develop, imagining the flavor it would add to their simple food.

“Lucan left to get Galen,” Quinn stated.

The smile faded from Cara’s lips. “Left? You mean he went alone?”

“Aye,” Fallon answered.

Cara looked at the brothers over her shoulder. “When I said Galen needed to be brought here, I expected all of us to get him. It isn’t safe for Lucan to be out alone, nor is it safe for you three to be separated.”

Fallon raised his hands. “We’ll keep you safe, Cara.”

“I’m not concerned for me. I’m worried about Lucan. Have either of you thought what would happen if Deirdre captured him?”

Quinn had the good grace to lower his gaze and kick the dirt with the toe of his boot. “We thought it would be better to have Galen return tonight than for all of us to leave.”

Anger churned through Cara. She turned back around and closed her eyes as she took several deep breaths to calm herself. When she opened her eyes and saw the edges of the parsley’s leaves brown and withering she cried out and jerked away from the plant. In a heartbeat, Fallon and Quinn were at her side.

“What is it?” Fallon asked.

She pointed to the herb. “It was healthy just a moment ago, the leaves bright green and thriving.”

Quinn wiped his hand down his face. “Holy hell.”

* * *

Lucan kept at a steady, even run over the land in a straight line to the forest. He wanted to be back as quick as he could, so he hoped for Galen’s sake he would be easy to find.

Lucan was about halfway to the forest when he saw someone walking his way. He slowed, his senses wary. The man stopped as he caught sight of Lucan. A moment later, he lifted his hand in greeting.

Lucan spotted the worn Shaw tartan and sighed. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited as Galen ran toward him.

When Galen approached, a small smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “I knew you’d come.”

Lucan turned back to the castle. “You didn’t. You got lucky is what you did.”

“I could argue the point with you, Lucan, but I willna bother. We all have our powers.”

“Where were you going?” Lucan asked.

“I knew you and Cara had headed in this direction. I was coming to find you. Shall we go? I sense you’re in a hurry.”

Lucan hesitated. “I didn’t want to come.”

“You don’t trust me.”

“Nay.”

Galen stared at him, their gazes locked. “You are right to be wary. I am just one man against three brothers. You could easily kill me.”

“I know that. I’m more concerned about Cara.”

“She’s to be protected above all else,” Galen said. “Deirdre cannot get her hands on Cara.”

“I agree. Still, Shaw, I’m leery of bringing you back with me.”

Galen nodded. “I could tell you what Deirdre did to me and why I escaped her, but you would only think it a lie. The fact you cannot ignore is that to keep Cara safe you need all the Warriors you can get.”

Lucan didn’t want to admit Galen was right. He should be the one protecting Cara, but Deirdre wouldn’t send a few Warriors. She wanted Cara, and if he knew anything about Deirdre it was that she didn’t give up on her hunt easily.

“All right,” he said after a moment. “But be warned, Shaw, we will be watching you.”

“You have my word, MacLeod, that I am against Deirdre in all matters. I will stand in opposition to her always, protecting everyone who has gained her attention.”

It was all Lucan could ask for. He didn’t want to like Galen, but the honesty and determination in the Warrior’s blue eyes was hard to mistake. Lucan was taking a huge risk bringing Galen back with him, but to save Cara he would take that chance.

“Come.” Lucan turned and lengthened his strides until he was running again. Galen easily kept up, but Lucan expected no less with a god inside Shaw.

“How many others are there?” Lucan asked.

Galen shrugged. “We’re spread out in the Highlands. Many do as I do and find other Warriors to try and turn them on our side.”

“Just to fight Deirdre? Why not hide?”

“You know there is no hiding from Deirdre. Besides, there is much you do not know. You and your brothers thought you were doing the right thing in hiding, but you’ve only hurt yourselves, I think.”

Lucan clenched his fists, hating that they were at a disadvantage because they had stayed hidden. “Just what don’t I know?”

“I’d rather only do the telling once, if you don’t mind. Once we gather with your brothers, as well as Cara, I’ll tell you everything.”

Lucan halted and glared at Galen. “What has Cara got to do with this?”

A few strides later Galen stopped and faced him. “A lot. She doesn’t want to acknowledge it, and you want to keep her out of sight.”

“She’s just a lass. Nothing more.”

Galen shook his head. “Deny it all you want, Lucan, but you’ll see for yourself.”

He wanted to hit Galen. Hard. Then leave him. But Lucan couldn’t. He had promised his brothers he would bring Galen back to the castle.

“Go ahead and hit me,” Galen said. He held his arms outstretched and waited.

Lucan was instantly cautious. “What makes you think I want to hit you?”

Galen burst out laughing. “Your eyes, MacLeod. They’re black. Now hit me. You’ll feel better.”

“Aye, I would, but I’m not going to. Keep up if you can.”

Lucan leapt into a run, pumping his legs faster and faster, his heart pounding in his chest. It had been so long since he’d felt such freedom that he exhilarated in the rush of wind over his face, the ground blurring beneath his feet.

He had run just as fast when he followed Cara, but he’d been worried about her safety. Now, he enjoyed the moment, since he didn’t know how long it would be until he had another.

It wasn’t long before the castle came into view. Lucan’s gaze moved over the towers, but he didn’t see Quinn’s shadow. A glance at the battlements showed that Fallon didn’t wait for him. It wasn’t like them not to be watching. Where were his brothers?

“You came back to your castle?” Galen’s voice was heavy with surprise. “We never thought to look here.”

Lucan didn’t bother answering. There was only one reason his brothers wouldn’t be standing guard and that was Cara. He pushed himself harder. The sound of Galen shouting his name was blurred with the wind.

When he reached the castle he didn’t stop in the bailey but went straight into the great hall. He slid to a halt when he saw Cara sitting at the table staring at her hands while his brothers paced around her.

“Lucan. Thank God,” Fallon said as he stalked toward him.

There was a sound behind Lucan. He turned and saw Galen fill the doorway. Lucan motioned Shaw inside. Just as Lucan opened his mouth to ask what was going on, Cara’s dark gaze turned to him. There was such hopelessness and fear in her depths that it chilled him.

He started toward her, but Fallon’s hand on Lucan’s chest blocked him. He pushed Fallon’s hand off, but Fallon grabbed his arm.

“Lucan,” Fallon growled.

He jerked his head to Fallon. “She needs me.”

“And you need to hear what has happened.”

That stopped Lucan cold. “Is she hurt?”

Fallon shook his head. “Nay. Not hurt exactly.”

“If you don’t tell me what has happened to her, Fallon, I’m going to rip you limb from limb.” Lucan was holding on to his anger by a thin thread. Something had happened to Cara, and by God, he would know what it was so he could fix it.

“Well, at least we know how to get him to show emotion,” Quinn said as he walked over. “I’m Quinn,” he said to Galen. “The one glaring at Lucan is Fallon.”

“And I’m Galen Shaw. It’s nice to finally find the three of you.”

Lucan knew he should have made the introductions, but his mind was occupied with Cara. “Fallon.”

Fallon nodded. “She was pulling weeds when I went to tell her you had gone.”

“It was green,” Cara murmured.

Lucan shifted his gaze to her. Her elbows were on the table, her palms facing her. She ran her thumbs over the pads of her fingers from her pinkies to her forefingers over and over again.

Quinn took a step closer to Lucan. “She got angry that we let you go alone. She said we needed to stay together, that none of us were safe apart.”

“She’s right,” Galen said.

Lucan threw Galen a dark look. “What happened next?”

Fallon shrugged. “She cried out. When we went to see what had happened, the plant she had been weeding around had begun to wither and die.”

Lucan was at a loss. “I doona understand.”

“I do,” Galen said. “I warned you she was a Druid. She doesn’t know how to control her magic yet.”

At this point Lucan was willing to hear and try anything. “Can you help her?”

“I can try.”

The four of them walked to the table. Galen sat opposite Cara, and Lucan slid onto the bench beside her. He reached for her hand. Thankfully, she let him have it, but she continued to stare at the other.

“Hello, Cara,” Galen said.

She gave him a weak smile. “I’m glad Lucan found you.”

“You know what happened in the garden, don’t you?”

She blinked rapidly, but it didn’t stop the tear that trailed down her cheek. Lucan pulled her against him and breathed in her scent of heather and earth.

“I killed the plant.” She spoke so softly Lucan almost didn’t hear her.

Galen nodded. “You are a Druid.”

“Explain,” Lucan bade him.

“Druids were born of this earth with the magic of all things natural. It is inherent for Druids to love the feel of the earth between their fingers, to watch—and even help—plants grow. You will find many mie walk barefoot to be that much closer to the earth.”

Cara laid her free hand palm down on the table. Lucan’s warmth had helped to stop her mind in its whirlwind. Now, as she listened to Galen, she began to understand.

“The mie get their magic from the earth,” she said.

Galen nodded. “Just as the drough get their magic from Hell and the blood of other Druids.”

“Does that mean I have the power to make a plant grow as well as kill it?”

“You were angry and you were touching the plant. The herb took your anger into itself, which caused it to wilt.”

Cara closed her eyes. “How is this possible? Druids and Warriors and wyrran and droughs. A few days ago none of this existed.”

Lucan’s hand squeezed hers. She looked into his sea green eyes and tried to smile. It was odd, and a bit disconcerting, to find herself so attached to a man after so short a period, but there was no denying Lucan comforted her just as the soil between her fingers had done.

“Don’t leave again without saying good-bye.”

He nodded. “You have my word.”

She turned her head to Galen. “What now? I know nothing of being a Druid.”

“I can tell you all I know,” Galen said.

Quinn leaned his hands on the table, his lips curled in a sneer. “And just how is it you know so much about Druids?”

Galen cut his eyes to Quinn and held his gaze. “I know so much because I was imprisoned with one in Deirdre’s mountain. She had him tortured daily. When he was brought back to the cell, he would be out of his mind with pain. In order to keep his mind sharp, and keep the pain to a minimum, he would tell me stories.”

Galen’s tale caused Cara’s stomach to churn. “What did Deirdre want with the Druid?”

“What does she want with any of us?” Galen gave his head a little shake. “As I told you before, it is the mie who knew the spell to bind the gods inside us. Deirdre wants the spell, and she wants to ensure no mie binds what she has undone.”

“Why?” Fallon asked. He stood at the other end of the table, his arms crossed over his chest. “She knows how to release the gods. Isn’t that enough?”

Galen shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Unless she didn’t release the god,” Cara said.

Quinn snorted. “Trust me, Cara. Deirdre released the god inside us. I was there. I experienced it.”

She turned to Lucan. “What if she didn’t, at least not fully? What if she only awakened it? Didn’t you tell me in the story that the Warriors ceased being men at all and became monsters?”

Lucan nodded. “Aye. There was no trace of the men they were. They couldn’t distinguish loved ones from enemies after Rome was gone.”

Cara bit her lips as she looked at the men around her. “I think I know why Deirdre wants the spell.”

“Tell us,” Fallon said, his voice dripping with impatience.

“When the gods were first put in the men, the droughs gave them orders to drive Rome from our lands. Once Rome was gone, these Warriors turned on their own people.”

“Aye,” Galen said. “They killed others as well as themselves. They couldn’t stop fighting if they wanted to.”

She clasped her other hand around Lucan’s larger one that held hers. “Deirdre is a drough, which means she knows how to call up spells. Except my guess is both the drough and the mie realized once they were able to bind the gods that they would be better served to banish the spells forever.”

Quinn was shaking his head before she finished. “I don’t think so. The Druids would realize they had the power to release and bind a very powerful weapon at any time.”

“Then why didn’t they?” she argued. “When the Saxons landed, why didn’t they call forth the Warriors? I think the Druids feared what they had done, feared it so much they wanted no part of it.”

“Even the droughs?” Galen asked. “The drough fear very few things.”

Cara glanced at Lucan to find his brow furrowed as he listened to her. Fallon tapped a finger on his chin, his gaze on the table. She didn’t have any facts to support what she said. All she had was her gut feeling.

“I think,” she continued, “that Deirdre, being a drough and powerful in her black magic, found a way to unlock the gods, but she didn’t fully release them. If she had set the gods free as the ancient Druids had, none of you would be sitting here today.”

Lucan hissed out a breath. “God’s teeth, I think she’s right. All the stories I ever heard of the Warriors was how out of control they were. I’m able to control my god.”

“I canna believe it,” Galen said. His blue eyes were round, his expression surprised. “I could never piece together why Deirdre wanted the spell to bind us when she knew how to release the god.”

Quinn sank onto the bench beside Galen. “Holy hell.”

“Now I understand why she’s taking so long to attack,” Fallon said as he began to pace. “I thought it was because she wanted to ensure they captured us this time.”

“She wants to make sure she captures Cara because of the Demon’s Kiss, but also because Cara might know how to bind us,” Lucan said.

“But I don’t,” she argued. Yet none of them heard her.

Quinn looked up at Lucan. “We’re going to need more Warriors.”

Cara couldn’t agree more. “Galen, how soon do you think you could have other Warriors here?”

“A day or two or more,” he said. “I had already sent word that I ran into Lucan. As I told you both in the forest, we’ve been looking for you MacLeods for over a hundred years.”

“You keep saying ‘we,’ ” Fallon said. “Do you all live in a village?”

Galen shook his head. “We each went our own way when we escaped Deirdre. Some got out before I did, some after, but there are places across Scotland that we mark, messages we leave the others in the ancient Celtic language that none but us can read.”

Lucan leaned on the table with his elbow. “What I want to know is how so many Warriors continued to escape Deirdre? With all her black magic, I would think she would have stopped that.”

Cara had wondered the same thing. It didn’t make sense that so many got out.

Galen chuckled. “The dungeons in Cairn Toul run the depth of the mountain. Deirdre carved her city inside the mountain and stays at the top in her palace. Rarely does she venture down into the dungeon, and if she does, it’s never good.”

“You say the dungeons are filled?” Cara asked. “The entire mountain?” She knew Cairn Toul was a large mountain, stretching high into the clouds, but she couldn’t imagine the whole mountain filled with people locked away.

“Aye,” Galen said. “Her palace is huge and takes up a large portion of the mountain. She doesn’t just keep Druids and men she suspects hold the gods inside them; she imprisons anyone she wants. Many she turns into her slaves, using her magic to control their minds.”

Fallon blew out a breath. “How is she choosing the men she thinks have the gods inside them?”

“Mostly I think she’s guessing. One of the men she captured said there was a scroll of names the droughs had written when the men were first turned to Warriors. Deirdre wants that scroll. She asks everyone she questions about it.”

“Does it exist?” Quinn asked.

Galen poured himself some water from the ewer on the table. “I think it does, but no one knows who has it.”

Fallon reached down to the floor and then placed a bottle of wine on the table. “Did she get any names from the man?”

Galen drained his water. He set the goblet down and frowned. “Aye, she got five surnames.”

Silence reigned in the great hall. After a moment, Cara rose and went into the kitchen to gather some food. The news the MacLeod brothers were getting was taking a toll on them. They were going to need their strength in the days to come.

When she walked into the hall, her arms laden with a tray of food, the men were all deep in thought. She set the tray on the table and motioned to the food.

“Eat. We have much to discuss.”

She let out a sigh when the men filled their trenchers. Quinn and Fallon flanked Galen, but he didn’t seem to mind. She wanted to hear more about Deirdre and the Warriors. Anything to keep her from thinking about her magic running through her. And a future that grew more uncertain with each passing moment.