Mortal Magick (5 page)

Chapter 7

Duncan’s hand cupped Keara’s chin as her moist, parted lips beckoned to be kissed. Gentle morsels of freckles peeked through copper ringlets strewn across her face from the evening’s cool breeze. His cumbersome fingers pushed back the disheveled curls to reveal her fair, delicate skin. He stared into her twinkling green eyes. A wee smile trembled on her peach-blossom lips as he wrapped his arms firmly around her slender waist. He lowered his mouth over her lips and devoured her softness.

He sensed her sudden thrill of arousal when her warm, inquisitive tongue darted inside his mouth. A surge of renewed passion flooded his veins like a hot tidal wave. His hands lowered and cupped her buttocks, pulling her closer to him. Her round breasts grew firm and her crested-peak nipples pressed against his bare chest. Cool fingers traveled down the concave of his back. His skin sizzled like a hot flame beneath her hands, as her fingers worked their magick and kneaded his tense muscles.

Her knee edged its way beneath his plaid. His groin grew hard and stiff and pressed against her private area. Their kiss grew hungry and urgent. His hand caressed her outer thigh. Her lithe body quivered. She moaned softly before dropping her chin on his chest with a sigh of pleasure. His own heartbeat drummed through his ears, she had awakened yearnings he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

Dangerous yearnings.

“
Mo creach
! This canna happen!”
He stepped back in a hurry and held her at arm’s length.

She stared back at him, a blank look written across her lovely face. Her long eyelashes fluttered and her cheeks flushed a bright shade of red. Her voice wavered and she lowered her head, but not before he caught a glimpse of tears stream down her rosy cheeks.

“I had no right to ask you to do that. I’m terribly sorry.” Her voice quavered.

“Bloody hell!” he cursed, while he struggled with his own uncertainties she had just aroused. He stomped back and forth watching her stand rigid and silent.

“It’s not ye, lass. Ye dinna understand. ‘Tis I that needs to apologize.” He stopped pacing and waited for a reply.

After several minutes of sheer awkwardness, Keara finally raised her head, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

“No. Please, don’t apologize. It’s been a long day for both of us. I keep thinking this has all been nothing but one gigantic illusion or dream and expect to wake up any minute now.” She hesitated and bit her lower lip. “I acted on a whim and tried something foolish for a change.”

He sensed her uneasiness.

“I just hope you don’t think my actions were too forward. I don’t normally make it a practice of going around asking men to kiss me.” Her tear-stained face brightened with a lopsided grin.

“Nay, I couldna ever think that of ye. Ye’re a right brave lass at that. Not many a woman could have done everything ye did.” He walked closer and lifted her chin, wiping away leftover tears. “Now ye might raise some suspicions if ye walked into a village wearin’ the clothes I found ye in.”

Light airy laughter escaped her moistened sweet lips. Beads of sweat glistened across her forehead and her face radiated with a cute perky smile.

“I nev’r meant to hurt ye, lass. I’m doin’ this fer yer own good.” Hard knots twisted inside his stomach. He was furious with himself for hurting her in the first place. If only the circumstances were different, she’d be inside his arms right now instead of being pushed away.

Little did she realize how hard he struggled to control himself. How he fought to resist the urge of lifting her tempting, voluptuous body in his arms and carrying her away. How he longed to lay her down on the cool green sod and take his time and make love to her. If only the circumstances were different.

The burning desire to explore every inch of her naked flesh set his mind ablaze. He envisioned parting her legs, his fingers stroking her woman’s moist center, lingering inside and arousing her. How desperately he longed to gaze in those emerald-green eyes while he watched satisfied jolts of pleasure flicker across her smooth, perfect face. He yearned to unbridle the restrained wild filly from deep within. To arouse her wanton desires and ignite the raging fire inside that burned to be quenched.

His animal instincts sensed the turbulence of passion storming through each of their bodies. He must get her back to the safety of the campfire and Colin’s company before he got carried away and lost total control.

“Do ye think ye can find yer way back to Colin and the fire on yer own?” The erect, throbbing shaft between his legs needed release.
And soon
.

“Yes, we’re not that far. I can see the curls of smoke from here.” She pivoted and pointed back to the direction of the makeshift camp.

This might be me last chance.
He fled before the animal in him couldn’t restrain itself and overpower his senses. He didn’t look back. He heard Keara calling out his name.

I canna look back. I must go on.
His heartstrings tugged at the sound of Keara’s voice.

The lass would never realize how much he wanted to take her that very moment. His blood boiled through his veins. His entire essence craved for her intoxicating body beneath his own. He struggled to contain the urge to turn around and sweep her up into his arms. Clenching his fists, he resisted the final temptation to carry her off in the dense, wooded forest, the one place he felt safe enough, where he could claim her for his woman. Where their bodies and souls could become one.

The twilight sky was filled with stars. The rolling hills seemed so distant beneath the cascaded light of the full moon. Any minute now, his beast would emerge, and once again he would be all alone. His keen hearing picked up Keara’s soft, velvet voice speaking with Colin. He even heard the contented purrs coming from Samson. At the sound of Keara’s calmed tone, he felt more content also. They should be safe now for the rest of the night. He would keep a close watch and make sure of it.

Bloody hell! What am I gonna do with the lass
? Not only did he have his hands full with young Colin, but now he needed to decide what he was going to do with Keara for the next day or two until he found a village to leave her at. Until then, he must protect her from the beast at all times. There was a strong bond between them now that he couldn’t deny. The sooner he got her far away from him, the better off she would be.

An intense burning pain began ripping through his bloodstream and he doubled over in pain. He grabbed his forehead. Sharp bumps protruded through his scalp. His fingers grasped the tips of the spiraling cold ivory between clenched fists, while silky long hairs rippled down his legs. The bloody curse had come to claim its victim, yet again.

Keara’s innocent, delicate face flashed in his mind. He concentrated on her freckled cheeks and those twinkling green eyes. The pain seemed to subside. He closed his eyes and remembered the feel of her warm skin next to his own and the taste of her sweet lips touching his. For the first time, the agony didn’t last as long as usual. The curse may take over his body, but he’d be damned if he’d let it touch that precious spark now tucked deep inside his soul.

An owl hooted in the distance. The scent of burning cedar from the crackling fire back at camp made his nostrils flair. The lingering scent of lavender from Keara’s body drifted beneath his nose. The soothing memory of the enticing good witch would help keep him company for the long night ahead.

“It’s been a long day for all of us, and you should really get some rest after that dunk you took in the ocean earlier. I know I’m ready for bed.” Keara smiled at Colin before glancing back toward the area where she last saw Duncan.
I wonder how long before he’ll return. I need to speak to him about finding transportation so I can start heading home.

She stifled a yawn. The soothing echoes of Colin’s even breathing soon turned into whistling snores. Samson was cuddled between his lanky arms.

An owl hooted, breaking the silence blanketing the bitter, eerie night. Cold chills raced through her veins. Her stomach twisted in knots. Her anxiety rushed back, the same fear she had when she thought something terrible had happened to the Highlanders.

Like a hurt animal crying out in sheer agony, loud wailing sounded close by. She jerked and pulled the sheepskin tighter around her shoulders and glimpsed over at the sleeping pair. Neither had budged an inch.

Duncan’s troubled face invaded her vision. Her heart lurched in her chest. He was trying to warn her about something. His image vanished and left her with an emptiness as cold as ice. She squinted in the distance. The rich sounds of laughter from the wretched voice she heard earlier today had returned.

By the Goddess, Duncan’s in some sort of trouble.

Her aching body screamed at her exhausted mind and begged for a good night’s sleep.
But
I can feel him. He needs me.

She couldn’t just sit there and wait any longer. But she couldn’t wander off in the dark without some light either.
A burst of adrenaline raged through her tired and hurting limbs. She sprang from the ground and tucked the blanket behind Colin’s back and rubbed Samson’s head. He purred and snuggled closer to the boy. She leaned over and kissed Colin’s forehead.

A yard-long branch lay near the fire. It would make a fine handle for a crude torch. She hurried and ripped short strips of cotton material from her ruined pair of capris and set off to the side. Rough pieces of bark made excellent kindling, so she gathered a handful and tucked them around the edge of the stick. She figured a small cluster of feathers and dried vine mixed with broken twigs would get a good blaze going. She hurried and began tying the torn strips to secure everything in place. Pleased with the progress so far, she spied some leftover sticky grease droppings from the grouse that would work well for lighter-fluid.

Hot damn!
She smiled to herself, quite happy with the results.
Indiana Jones himself would be proud of me!
Her efforts made one hell of a flashlight, if she must say so herself.

With one final glance at both Colin and her beloved cat, she sprinted off in the direction of the eerie voice.

A dull cramp tugged in her stomach. Common sense warned her she shouldn’t venture out on her own. Especially at night. And certainly not here. Besides the fact she didn’t have a clue where the hell she was. Sudden logic warranted her suspicions.

After a few moments hesitation, she came to a sensible conclusion. The louder the hideous voice became, the closer she would be to finding the mysterious Highlander named Duncan McCord.

Chapter 8

Duncan lunged from the damp forest floor. His splayed hooves clip-clopped on top of a boulder. His nostrils flared from the irresistible lingering lavender scent. He cocked his head to the side. His keen hearing caught her every breath as each step she took brought her dangerously closer. “Aye, the damn fool-headed woman! She’s done wandered off again.”

He snarled at a shooting star plummeting to the ground. Like a bubbling cauldron of fire, it spit an outburst of flames across the moonlit sky. “Aye, the bonny wee lass is headed straight for a trap.” Clenching his fists, he veered back his head and wailed.

Keara stood frozen in her tracks. “Damn. Please tell me that’s not a banshee.”

A gust of wind blew out the torch’s flickering flame. Another death-clutching wail sounded like it was headed straight for her. She shivered. Squinting her eyes, she tried to adjust to the natural moon light. The scent of damp soil and fresh pine waft under her nose. An eerie mist floated above the ground, drifting in front of the intimidating forest. Eyes glowed from the tree hollows and stared at her.

Dark shadows whisked in front of her.

The unsettling laugh was back.

Her muscles contracted. Pain spasms quivered through her arms and legs. Exhausted, a rush of anger overcame her fear. She needed to find Duncan. She’d had about enough of this obnoxious voice for one day. With a deep sigh, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back.

“Look, lady, or whatever you are, don’t you think you’ve done enough damage for one day?” she yelled in defiance. “At the least, I believe you owe me an explanation of why you’re following me. And why can’t you leave Duncan and that innocent young boy alone? What did they ever do to you, anyway?”

A force slapped her face, pushing her head to the side. Something razor-sharp scratched her skin. She cringed as her fingers traced the rising welts on the right side of her face. She bit her lower lip and waited. If this person was trying to intimidate her, she was doing a pretty damn-good job.

Keara’s body stiffened, determined not to give this entity the satisfaction. In defense, she snapped at the voice, “If you can’t show yourself, then
don’t . . . touch . . . me . . .
”

A falling star’s trailing flame lit up the entire sky like fire jets streaming from a rocket.

“If you insist on staying here, I’ll give you a wise piece of advice I suggest you remember. You have
no
authority here,
witch.
” A hot breath hissed in her face.

Keara realized she was being heavily scrutinized.

“Don’t worry. It’s not time for you to die.” The vicious laugh floated in circles around her head like an annoying buzzing bee. “At least, not yet.”

Much childish giggling followed and taunted her.

“Then what do you want with me?” Keara challenged and waited for something awful to befall. She straightened her shoulders and forced herself to keep her wits, even though fatigue was finally taking its toll.

“If you want to help your friends, I suggest you lay the key on the ground.”

“What key?” Keara grabbed her cell phone and turned the empty pockets inside out. “Here, see for yourself. This is the only thing I managed to bring with me and there’s not even any reception in this area.”

The cell phone was wrenched from her hand and floated in midair before being thrown at her feet.

“You lie. I should have known you would hide it. There’s still time for you to reconsider and hand it over. Maybe after you find out the truth about your precious Duncan, you’ll be more willing to cooperate. I won’t deprive you of that pleasant surprise.” The laughter raced above her head.

A strong gust of wind whipped Keara’s hair across her face. The force was strong enough to make her fall backward. Her bottom hit a sharp object on the damp, hard ground.

“Ouch.” Keara leaned over and shifted her weight off the item underneath her butt. She raised her head to the sky and screamed, “What is with you people? I don’t even care about any secret or any damn key. All I want is to go home.”

“She’s gone now,” an unfamiliar male voice spoke.

A flickering light flashed in front of eyes while a gentle mist sprinkled across her cheeks. She licked her lips. The sticky wet film tasted like fresh strawberries.

“Who’s out there?”

No one answered.

“I’m a friend of Duncan’s,” she called out again, hoping the stranger would be kind enough to help her find her way back to Colin and the campfire. Sharp pains raced across the top of her forehead, making her brows cease. Everything became fuzzy. She smacked her cheeks trying to stay awake. Sleep beckoned. She struggled, fighting to hold back the built-up dam of tears waiting to burst. Thoughts of Beth and home filled her mind.

Her body trembled, and she sprawled on the ground sobbing. Hot tears stung her eyes. Emotional defeat finally took over and won.

Cold and miserable, she held her head up and sniffled. “Please, is anyone out there?”

Still, no one replied. She must have imagined the male voice, hoping that Duncan would show up. Exhausted, she laid back down, resting her cheek against a cold clump of something slimy.
Please let it be a bed of green moss
.

Her fingers shook, clutching the slim handle of the sharp object she’d fallen on top of. She squeezed the smooth wooden rod while rubbing her eyelids with the backs of her other hands.

She blinked, her eyes still blurry. She swore she spied two immense splayed hooves shuffling back and forth in front of her. She opened her mouth to scream and realized she’d lost her voice.

“Duncan, me good friend. Ye need to keep a better eye on this stubborn young wench.”

She
did
hear someone. The stranger sounded amused. She blinked several times trying to focus and find Duncan.

“Aye, I’m afraid the lass seems to be somewhat a determined sort.”

Keara heard Duncan’s deep voice as her eyes closed and a thick blanket of darkness settled over her.

Duncan knelt, checking her pulse in the side of her neck with his fingers. He noticed uneven welts on her face. His nostrils flared with fury. The mere thought of Keara’s perfect face flawed by the hands of the evil Gabrielle, made his body shake with rage. Taking the arrow with the golden tip from her hand, he broke it in half between his fingers.

“She’ll be fine come morn.” Tiny gnarled fingers grabbed his wrist.

Duncan jerked his head and peered into a pair of beady emerald eyes gaping back at him. His good friend Darby stood beside him. Born part Fae and part brownie, the mischievous wee character usually kept himself busy tendin’ to the needs of wild creatures and concoctin’ healin’ potions from the bounty of nature’s forests. The frizzy haired three-foot little man peered over top of a crooked pair of broken spectacles in dire need of repair.

“That wee scratch will heal soon enough.” His bronze-skinned face wrinkled with a scowl. “Aye, ‘tis the poisonous seed that treacherous witch planted in yer friend’s mind ye need to be worryin’ about.”

Duncan clenched his fists, and a low growl rumbled deep in his throat. “Just what did ye witness, Darby? I swear, if that wicked Gabrielle so much as . . .”

“Calm down, friend.” The little man removed a tiny acorn-shaped bottle from a pocket in front of his frayed waistcoat and handed it to him. “'Tis a wee bit more drops of one of me favorite sleeping potion in case ye be needin’ em.”

Darby chuckled. His pint-sized feet shuffled through crisp fallen leaves and found a stocky stump to sit on. With a grin on his face, his fingers reached for a leaf floating like a feather in front of his face. “The bonny lass is a might feisty one. Ye’d have been proud if ye’d seen the way she stood up to the she-devil. Aye, and a good job she did at that.”

Duncan gritted his teeth, attempting to remain calm. He knew from past experience Darby was the type who enjoyed being humored. Patience was one virtue Duncan failed to possess. He remembered the first time he laid eyes on Darby. After the initial shock of transforming into the nocturnal beast, Darby stood by him and coached him through the difficult transitioning period. Even the animals that roamed the forests fled in fear from the sight of his beast. He owed the brownie a lot for helping him over the years. The codger was well over a few centuries old. As always, he seemed eager to draw out his tale.

“Aye, she reminded me of my first beloved . . .”

“
Mo creach
, Darby! Please, get on with it, man.”

“Aye, sorry, lad. I forgot your beastie isn’t a very patient sort.” He rubbed a hairy hand over his mouth, the smile disappearing from his wrinkled face. “Now as I was sayin’, the brave wee lass stood up to her. ‘Tis why she got slapped for her sassin’ the she-devil the way she did. Mind ye, ‘tis just me own opinion, but I think there’s somethin’ verra extraordinary about yer friend, especially to cause the wretched witch to fret over her the way she did.”

“Keara’s definitely not a normal woman to be reckoned with. Me own eyes have seen what she can do.” Duncan glanced down to check on her.

“Aye, the grand story of how yer friend breathed life back into the young lad today has already spread through the forests like wildfire. Remember, news travels fast through the velvet moors and over the high seas. The wee girl has already made quite a name for herself. Aye, she has at that.”

Duncan stood and paced in circles.

With a big grin on his face, Darby ran his crooked fingers through his curly, carrot-orange hair. He withdrew a pipe from his coat pocket and stuck it in his mouth. “What are ye plannin’ to do with her now?”

Duncan shrugged, running his talons through his own clump of scruffy hair. “She needs to get to safety. And the farther from me, the better.”

“Aye. But I didna’ think it will be as easy as ye think, lad. Ye’ll have to come up with a plan so she doesn’t discover yer secret.” He slid off the rock and waddled over to Keara. Pushing the crooked glasses further over his nose, he bent over the top of her head and sniffed her face. “I’m afraid the sorceress is keeping the spirited lass alive just long enough to see the beastie come out in ye.”

“I’ll send me nephew Colin to the nearest village on the morrow for fresh supplies. He can pick up a few clothes befittin’ for a woman. I canna have her walkin’ into town lookin’ the way she does. The people will certainly accuse her of bein’ a witch, for sure.” Duncan stopped pacing and rubbed his chin. He smiled, feeling confident with the plan. “I willna abandon her and the lad before I know both are safe. I must then resume my quest.”

Darby nodded and scratched the front of his chest.

“I’ll make sure Colin comes back with honey and brew.” Duncan smiled. “I shouldna have Colin go traipsin’ on his own after what happened today. He’s still in plenty of danger himself. Darby, do ye mind taggin’ along and keepin’ an eye on the lad?”

Darby frowned, and the sparkle went out of his eyes. “Ye know I dinna like to be around humans. Not during the day.”

“Ye dinna need to let anyone see ye, includin’ Colin. This will be a good test for the lad since he’s soon comin’ of age. It’d sure mean a lot to me. Besides, ye’ll be helpin’ Keara.”

He waited, watching the wry expression on Darby’s face then grinned. It was worth a try. “Ye said yerself, she reminded ye of yer beloved . . .”

“
Och
, verra well. Aye, I did at that. And ye don’t need to be remindin’ me of what I said,” he snapped. “I’ll help ye, Duncan. But only ‘cause the lass has spunk and I took a likin’ to her. Ye’ll need to sneak one drop of the potion in her drink each night at dusk.”

“I respect yer wisdom when it comes to yer healin’ gift with the herbs, but are ye sure this willna hurt her?” He frowned, concerned too much tonic might harm her.

“Nay, ‘twill only make her sleep like a newborn babe. She’ll wake up and be none for the worse come morn. ‘Tis an herbal remedy even much older than meself.”

“I’ll have Colin ready to head out by first light. Ye’ll be repaid for yer help. Ye’re a good friend, Darby.” He leaned over and laid his hand on the little man’s shoulder.

“
Och
. A bottle of spirits to warm me old bones will be payment enough, lad. Now be off with ye and take extra care against the sorceress’ treachery.” The top of Darby’s head barely reached Duncan’s knees.

Duncan bent down to shake Darby’s knobby hand. The codger smiled and pushed the tiny pipe back inside his pocket. He winked, nodded, and then he was gone.

Duncan leaned over and picked Keara’s limp body up in his arms and headed back toward the makeshift camp. His thoughts churned in turmoil, swimming through a haze of mixed feelings and desires. It was hard to remain calm with her voluptuous body so close against his.

Her face snuggled against his bare chest. She sighed. “Ye’re a mighty brave lass but a stubborn one at that. Aye, I’ll have me hands full the next couple of days ‘til I get ye someplace safe and sound.”

His words fell on sleeping, deaf ears. The leaves rustled from the cool night breeze. An owl hooted and bade him goodnight.

A while later, he laid Keara on the empty fleece. He gathered the sheepskin cover around her body and tucked the dangling thick curly fleece locks underneath her chin. He squatted next to her, mesmerized by her enchanting face silhouetted by the flickering flames. If only things were different, he might easily fall in love with this feisty young lass. He admired her bravery and her honesty with him earlier.

Colin’s snores thundered inside his keen, pointed ears. He glanced at the lad and found the bewitched cat quite content wrapped inside his arms. It had been a long day for everyone.

With the help of wee Darby, he was confident the two misfits would soon be out of further harm’s way. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t afford to play nursemaid. He had to push on with his journey to Dunscaith if he stood a chance of being cured. He glanced at the moon. With a few hours left before sunrise, there was still something important he needed to do. Taking one final glance to ensure all were safe and sound asleep, he headed back to the beckoning dark woods.

It was time to set a trap of his own.