The murmur of voices rose again. Laird Donal called for silence; his expression grim. It was clear that he hadn't gotten much sleep last night, and Helena could see the worry clear on his face. A creature stalking flocks was one thing… this was a new situation entirely. "Now, we know that the creature has been seen on the walls before. We know where it lives, and we'll be sending a group of men to attempt to kill it today, while it's sleeping."
Helena's heart sank. She scanned the crowd, looking for Brendan — found him standing on the other side of the hall, a worried look on his face. Did he know about this second expedition to attack the creature in its home? Had he been consulted?
"We are doing our best to deal with this creature. Meanwhile, we strongly recommend you all stay within the walls at night. If you must go out, carry a torch — the creature is averse to bright light. I'll keep you all up to date with what we know," Donal said firmly. And with that, he turned on his heel and hurried off, a handful of guards following him — and, Helena realized, Brendan was among them. Did that mean he was going on the expedition today?
Audrina found her later in the dining hall, listlessly stirring a bowl of porridge. She must have looked as worried as she felt, because Audrina put her arm around her and gave her a quick hug — a reassuring gesture.
"They'll be alright," she said softly. "They learned a lot from that first trip — they won't take as much harm as they did that time."
"What if they do?" Helena said worriedly. "I tried to talk to Brendan about an idea Fiona and Marianne and I came up with, and he dismissed it straight away … but I'm worried it's the only way of making the creature vulnerable to attack."
"He'll listen," Audrina promised her.
"Should I go with them today?" she asked, biting her lip. She really didn't want to revisit the caves… but she was worried that without her, the men might get hurt. But Audrina shook her head firmly.
"They've already left, I think," she said softly. "Let them see what they can find out. Who knows — maybe they'll be able to rescue the children."
"At least they're trying something," Helena sighed. "I just hope the little ones are okay. I know she doesn't actually want to harm them… but that doesn't mean she's going to do a good job of taking care of them. Children can't eat raw lamb meat…"
"No," Audrina said softly. "They can't."
The day passed agonizingly slowly as Helena waited for the group of guards to return. After breakfast, she headed up to the castle roof to see if she could see the little group setting off across the moors — sure enough, there they were. Only about half a dozen of them this time, she noticed with approval — they'd learned from the chaos of the first attempt, with over a dozen men trying to get into the cave. Still, she couldn't help but worry as the day dragged by. What if the Black Annis was ready and waiting for them? What if instead of just slashing them up, she actually killed them this time?
She wandered the castle, in search of idle jobs to keep her occupied. She tidied the library, putting the various stacks of books away on the shelves where they belonged, even having a go at dusting some of the shelves. She even spent a few hours in the stables, helping muck out the stalls, much to the surprise and delight of the stablehands she relieved there. But still, the day felt it lasted weeks and weeks, and by the time the group came riding back through the gates, she could have sworn she hadn't seen Brendan in years.
She came running down the steps when she heard the gate squeaking open, her eyes rapidly scanning the huddled little group as it came through the gate. She counted the horses, glad to see that the numbers were the same — then counted the men on their backs just to be safe. From what she could tell, it was the same number of men returning — and to her acute relief, Brendan was among them too, looking tired and dejected… but alive, which was the main thing she cared about. They'd all survived the trip.
She ran up to him as he was leading his horse into the stables, unable to wait any longer to find out what had happened. He gave her a smile, tired but genuine, and she couldn't resist reaching up on her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his cheek. He was clearly happy to see her, but he looked exhausted as he packed the horse away. She was aware that a few of the men were limping and nursing wounds — she watched with worry as they limped into the castle, clearly headed for the first aid room Audrina maintained. She hoped the woman still had enough supplies to treat all of their wounds.
"What happened?" she asked finally, impatient to know.
Brendan sighed. "Not much," he admitted with a shrug. "We got there at midday, cleared a path to the entrance and went in. We tried to go quietly this time, hoping not to wake her… we got further into the cave this time than I think the men did last time, but she caught us."
A shiver ran down Helena's spine as she thought of what it must have been like, trapped in the sandstone caves with a monster stalking you. "Did you find the children?"
"No," he said bleakly. "The caves are wide and incredibly extensive… she must have a lair somewhere, but I didn't get close to it. One of the men said he thinks he found it — he said he could hear the children calling out for help, but then the creature's footsteps scared him off before he could save either of them. From what he said, they said they couldn't come out — that they were trapped in some kind of cage or something. He hurled his canteen of water through to them, though."
"It's good to know they're still — you know, alive," Helena said with a frown. "The poor things… they must be terrified. It's good that he got some water to them."
"I don't know what we're going to do," he said, scrubbing reluctantly at his face with his hands as he finished putting his horse away. They turned and headed toward the castle as the light drained from the sky. She was glad to be at his side, despite the horror and uncertainty of the day. Something about having the reassuring shape of him at her side just made her feel better, no matter how worried she was about the Black Annis. "It's clearly a fool's errand to keep trying to get into the caves like that… she's too quick for us."
"What if we went at night?" Helena suggested. "Maybe if we struck while she was out hunting sheep or whatever, we could steal the children back then…"
He sighed, shaking his head. "Maybe. But it wouldn't be a permanent solution. She'd only steal more children. We have to finish this, somehow. We have to actually destroy her for good. I just don't know how."
Helena hesitated. Brendan was clearly exhausted — she didn't want to risk antagonizing him now, especially when he was in such a bad mood. But this was a matter of urgency. "I really think we should consider Fiona and Marianne's idea a little more."
"What?" They'd settled in at a table in the hall. The atmosphere was still gloomy — word had spread that the men had returned unsuccessful, and though they were glad there had been no deaths this time, the news of injuries — as well as the failure to save the children from their fate — had cast a pall over the gathering of people eating their dinner.
"The idea that I go to her, tell her that I'm her daughter, back from the dead." She took a deep breath. "You knew Anne. You knew how much she loved Brigid. If she thinks I'm her… she might be strong enough to overcome the spell."
But Brendan just shook his head. It was clear from his expression that he didn't believe it was possible for her to defeat the Annis on her own, no matter how carefully the plan had been thought through.
And that sent anger shooting through her like fire.
Chapter 27
“Are you serious?" she said to him in a low voice.
He turned to her, clearly a little surprised by the question. "What do you mean?"
"With everything that's going on, that's still your answer? No, it's too dangerous? There's a monster that can't be harmed by any kind of weapon — it's stealing children, killing the men of the castle — and you still won't even entertain the idea that maybe I can do something about it?"
He stared at her, clearly taken aback — and she could see annoyance flaring in him. W
ell, let him get angry. Maybe that was what they needed to finally clear the air here.
"What you're suggesting is incredibly dangerous, Helena. It's not that I don't trust your ideas, it's just —"
"What? You went riding out there today, didn't you?" she demanded, her eyes narrowed as the anger poured through her. "You just went straight into those caves without even checking if I wanted to go with you. Wasn't that just as dangerous? What's this double standard — you can do dangerous stuff, but I can't because you'd worry about me? What about me worrying about you?"
"That's different," he said, his eyes full of annoyance all of a sudden. "I was armed when I went in, I know how to fight with a sword —"
"Sure, that's fine, except one of the first things we learned about the Black Annis is that it's impervious to harm from swords. Remember? The men that it killed by the cliffside were both wielding swords. All the injured men it's sent limping out of the cafe, they could all fight with swords, too. What's the difference between an unarmed victim and an armed one? About five second, from what I can tell."
"I take your point," he said, clearly resenting it. "But —"
"But what? It's because I'm a woman, isn't it? You think you have to protect me — you think that's it's fine for you to just charge off and risk your life at a moment's notice, but when it comes to me doing something — something that might work, actually, something that's a lot more likely to save lives than just charging in there with a sword — that's out of the question!"
"I can't lose you again!" he exploded, his voice cracking a little with the intensity of his emotion even as he kept it low.
She stared at him for a long moment as she processed what he'd said and what it meant, and she could see his eyes flickering as his mind raced to catch up, to process what had just happened.
"I mean — I mean, I can't —"
"I know what you meant," she said angrily. "Are you serious? After all this time… you still see me as a replacement for her. You promised me, Brendan." Her eyes were suddenly full of tears, and she couldn't tell if it was anger or sadness that she felt more strongly. "You promised me that it was me you were — it was me you wanted, not her. I trusted you. I —"
"Helena," he said, his face wracked with anguish. "It's not that — it's not — I don't see you as her. Not anymore. Maybe I did, at the start. But — look at you. You're a completely different person to her." He took a deep breath, shutting his eyes for a moment. "I know that. I know that, because… I loved Brigid with all of my heart, that's true. But the love I feel for you is completely different. No matter how much you may look like her… the way I love you, I know that you're a different woman."
She felt like she was frozen, suspended in midair in shock. He loved her? Nobody had ever told her that before… none of her relationships had ever gotten this serious. "You love me?"
"I do," he said simply, his eyes shining with emotion. "I know that might not be what you want to hear, but… I love you, Helena." He sighed, scrubbing at his face with his hands. "That's why I don't want you to go into that cave. I don't want to lose you. I can't… I can't lose the woman I love. Not again. It will destroy me."
She bit her lip, torn between frustration that he wouldn't let her do what needed to be done, and a strong urge to comfort him over what was clearly a difficult confession to make. "Brendan, I — I understand," she said carefully. "I know how hard it was for you to lose Brigid. But... this might be the only way we can defeat this thing."
"Maybe," he said, looking at her with his jaw tight. "But I can't let you go in there and face that thing. I just can't. If I have to lock you in your room to stop you, I will."
She narrowed her eyes, anger winning out over pity again at the threat. "You might have to," she said forcefully, her voice low and deadly. It felt strange to have this argument in this public place, both of them keeping their voices low to avoid being overheard, trying to maintain some sense of privacy even though they were surrounded by people. She wished they were upstairs in his chambers again, where they could yell at each other properly… but then again, she might get distracted if they were alone together… she shook her head, frustrated that even when she was furious at him, she still found him so profoundly attractive.
"Don't make me," he said softly. "Please, Helena. Let's — let's see if there's any other way."
"There isn't." She shook her head, frustrated beyond belief. "Don't you see? You can keep throwing soldiers at her over and over, it's not going to change. She's just going to hurt them or kill them — then come out again at night to kidnap more children, kill more sheep. And it's only a matter of time before a child dies at her hand — by neglect, if nothing else."
They sat in silence for a long time then, picking at their meals. She knew he was facing a difficult decision — the choice between risking the woman he loved, that still felt oddly unreal to her — she was glad he hadn't asked her if she loved him too, because she honestly didn't know, or keeping her safe while potentially allowing children to come to harm. Helena decided against interrupting his reflections — she sat and ate her dinner slowly, letting him work through the problem in the silence, hoping against hope he'd come to the right decision. He had to let her try. And if he didn't… well, she'd set off by herself across the moors, she could do it again. But she'd prefer to have him by her side, to attempt what she was thinking of attempting. After all, Anne had known Brendan well in her lifetime. His presence may well help her to overcome her grief long enough to break the spell.
"Helena…" She looked up, curious to hear what he had to say. It had been maybe half an hour since they'd spoken — the hall was all but empty, and the night had gotten late, she realized with surprise. But before he could speak, she heard a strange commotion in the entrance hall adjacent. Brendan could hear it too — frowning and deciding wordlessly that this conversation could wait a little, they rose to their feet and headed toward the door.
The scene they came upon was curious. There was Audrina, looking uncharacteristically disheveled. Her long red braid had come loose and her mane of fiery red hair was down over her shoulders. Helena could see why she kept it braided — in its natural state it was fiercely curly and clearly difficult to manage. But that didn't hold her attention long. It was the look on Audrina's face that frightened her — a look of absolute, utter dejection and loss.
"He's gone," she was saying, repeatedly.
Helena recognized the man she was standing with as her husband Colin, the previous Laird of the castle. He was holding her hands, murmuring something to her in a low voice. Her heart lurched in her chest as Brendan surged forwards. What could be causing such grief in a couple? What else but —
"What's happened?" Brendan demanded in a low voice as he reached them.
Helena felt a little strange joining the conversation, but Audrina reached out for her gratefully, taking her hand and squeezing it hard. She squeezed back, just glad to be able to offer any amount of comfort.
"It's Jamie," Colin said in a low voice, shaking his head with grief in his eyes. "He went to bed early tonight — tired himself out reading. We told him to lock his window tight after what he saw the other night, but —"
"He's gone," Audrina broke in, impatient. "His window was broken open and he was gone."
"Are you sure?" Brendan said in a low voice, his face horrorstruck even as he tried to find another explanation. "Are you sure he didn't just… sneak downstairs to the library? He's done that before, the little rascal."
"I've searched the whole castle," Audrina said, her voice shaking — Helena had never seen the usually composed woman looking so distraught. "There's no sign of him anywhere. And his room… his room was a mess. As though he'd struggled. On the window ledge… Colin, tell them —"
"The window ledge had deep gouges in the stone," Colin said heavily. "As though carved by talons."
"The guards said they saw it," Audrina said with tears in her eyes. "The Black Annis. They saw it across the moor an hour
or so ago — too far away to threaten it or frighten it off. It's taken him, Helena. It's taken Jamie."
She stared back at the woman, horrified by the boldness of the creature, shocked that it had come to the castle and stolen a child straight out of his window… she shook herself, trying to stay calm for Audrina's sake. Audrina needed her now more than ever to maintain her composure.
"It's okay," she said softly, trying to think as she squeezed Audrina's hand tightly in hers. "It's going to be okay. The Black Annis… it wants to care for the children, not to hurt them. It's just lonely. He'll be okay — he'll be safe for a little while at least, until we can save him."
"He won't," Audrina said, shaking her head as she looked up at Brendan.
The man nodded, his face pale, and Helena frowned.
"What?"
"Jamie needs regular medicine to keep his seizures under control," Brendan explained in a low voice. She was aware that the people of the castle were gathering, confused and hushed by the seriousness of the conversation — but she couldn't pay them any heed just now. "Without that medicine… he'll get very sick, very quickly."
"When?" she demanded, fear prickling at her chest.
"We need to get him back before dawn," Brendan said simply. "Otherwise… with the stress and everything, he could fall very sick very quickly."
"Then we have to go," she said bluntly, looking back and forth between Brendan and Audrina as she came to her conclusion. "You and me, and any men left who aren't injured. We have to go to her right now. We have to end this."
"Helena —"
"What choice do we have?" she demanded angrily. "This thing has two children already, and it's about to add a third to that collection. Your own student, Brendan," she said fiercely, pinning him with a glare. "You can't stop me from doing everything I can to fix this."
Highlander Hunted: A Scottish Time Travel Romance (Highlander In Time Book 8) Page 21
