Loch

Chapter 32

“Everybody take cover. Flashlights off,” Maddock said. His order came a moment too late. Shots rang out, echoing thunderously through the cavern. One zipped past his ear as he rolled to the ground. Another pinged off the stone inches from his head.

“It’s the Tuatha!” Isla hissed. “They’ve caught up with us.”

“And it looks like they don’t plan on letting us out of here alive,” Bones said.

Maddock took cover behind the pedestal that supported the Stone of Destiny. Bones squeezed his bulk behind the stone block upon which the cauldron stood. He heard footsteps as Isla and Grizzly scrambled for cover.

On the other side of the lake, lights bobbed up and down — headlamps.

“You got odds, I got evens,” Bones whispered.

Maddock took aim. Two shots in quick succession and the Tuatha in the lead fell back with a strangled cry. His companions scattered. Maddock and Bones each took aim and squeezed off a single shot but couldn’t tell if either had hit its target.

Suddenly, the headlamps went out, blanketing them in a darkness that was unnerving in its totality. All fell silent.

Maddock wondered what the Tuatha’s next move would be. The smart play would be for the enemy to simply wait out Maddock and the others. The Tuatha had them outnumbered, almost certainly outgunned, and could likely call on a wealth of reserves.

What I wouldn’t give to have Willis and Matt covering our asses right now.

But if the Tuatha had intended to wait for them, why had they continued the pursuit all the way to the shrine, and thus exposing themselves to danger? They must have a reason for the urgency.

And then it hit him — they believed in the legend of the treasure, which meant…

They’re afraid we’ll be unbeatable if we take up the sword and spear.

No sooner had the thought passed through his mind than the Tuatha made their next move. Lights flashed on from several different angles. Bones reacted immediately, squeezing off a shot that burst one of headlamps.

Multiple bullets answered Bones’ single shot, and the big man curled up behind his scant cover.

“What the hell?” he muttered. “That bullet should have gone right through someone’s forehead.”

“They took off their headlamps and pointed them our way. They can see us but we’re going to have a hard time seeing them,” Maddock said. “We could try to even the odds by shooting all of the lights out, but that will cost us precious bullets.”

“Bastards.” Bones suddenly rolled to his right, fired a single shot, and rolled again until he was sheltered behind the pedestal that held the spear.

Somewhere in the darkness, a voice cried, “I’m hit!”

“Let’s get them!” another cried. The sound of running feet and then someone was sprinting across the stepping stones, blazing away with a handgun.

Maddock put one bullet into the man’s gut. The Tuatha lurched forward and tumbled into the water. Maddock watched him sink, a dark cloud of blood billowing up through the water.

Shots continued to ring out from the semi-darkness. Maddock and Bones targeted the muzzle flashes. A couple of their bullets hit their targets. The numbers were evening out, but not the ammunition. An answering shot grazed Bones’ calf.

Bones let out a curse, but waved away Maddock’s questioning look.

“I’ve had worse,” he said.

Maddock nodded. His friend’s wound was minor, but it was only a matter of time before things really got ugly. They couldn’t hide from the bullets forever.

“It’s like the Civil War in here,” Bones said.

“How do you figure?” Maddock asked, firing his last bullet.

“We’ve got the fighting skills and the defensive position. They’ve got the weapons and the numbers.”

“I’m sure a bunch of Yankees would argue with your analysis,” Maddock said as Bones fired another shot. “Empty?”

Bones nodded.

“Hold your fire!” a woman’s voice shouted. After a few seconds, she called out again, this time to Maddock and his company.

“You on the island. I think we need to talk.”

“If you think we’re giving up, you’re dreaming,” Bones said.

“Don’t be so hasty. You’re sitting ducks out there, and if you’re not out of ammunition, you will be soon.”

“We’ve still got the unbeatable spear and sword,” Bones said.

The woman laughed. “As if you knew how to use them. You are unworthy.”

“We found them,” Maddock said. “I think that makes us worthier than you.”

“One among you is worthy.” Finally, the figure appeared from the darkness. It was Brigid, upon whom Maddock had spied at Culloden.

From the darkness, Maddock heard Isla let out a tiny gasp.

“I want the treasure, and I want Isla Mulheron,” Brigid said. “As long as I have those things, I don’t care what happens to the rest of you.”

“You’re not taking Isla,” Maddock said.

Brigid laughed. “Take her. She’ll come with me voluntarily, won’t you dear?”

Maddock’s retort died on his lips as Isla stood and slowly moved forward, an unreadable expression on her face.

“Isla, get down!” Maddock said. “Are you crazy? She’s got at least one of her goons still active out there. Maybe more.”

“She won’t let them hurt me,” Isla said, her voice trembling.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do. She’s my mother.”