Not this again. “You are coming with me, right?”
“Nay. I can no go with ye, this time.”
“I am not going either.”
“Lass, I am not asking ye, I am telling ye.”
“Well, too bad. I am not leaving you.”
“When the monster comes, I have ta get the treasure.”
Great. So they were back to that. Just like the last time she was here. What the hell! She would have pitched a fit but as it stood, the mist was already surrounding her legs, which was weird because she had yet to see the creature. And this time she didn’t feel the pull. Not even a tug. Weird.
And granted, she was thankful the creature hadn’t shown up yet, but she still couldn’t help but wonder why. All the signs were the same. The full moon, the mist, the howling wind, even the plethora of live bodies to chow on. “Where are all the men going?” It shouldn’t have even been a topic for conversation but it seemed strange that they were running when there didn’t seem to be anything about for them to run from…well, besides the other men running after them.
Gavin looked over his shoulder, even though it was useless since he couldn’t see a damn thing. “They are running like the cowards they are.”
“Don’t you want to help them?” Paige obviously didn’t want him to go, but it seemed strange that he was not jumping into the fray with his men.
“I have other things ta tend to.”
A shiver of dread raced up her spine. “What things?”
He didn’t look at her face.
That should have been the first warning that something was wrong, well, actually, now that she thought about it, wouldn’t that be two things? He wasn’t fighting with his men, and now he wasn’t looking at her face. “What is wrong with you?”
“I am fine,” he told her, although that was a lie. He was sick to his stomach, which wasn’t that bad but he also couldn’t see very well. How he even got to her was still a mystery to Gavin.
Paige didn’t believe him for a minute. “Gavin, what is wrong with you?”
“I…I…” He stumbled forward.
She wrapped her arms around him, trying to keep him upright. “Gavin…”
He was dead weight.
“Gavin…”
CHAPTER FIFTY
LOCH MORAR, SCOTLAND
The Past – the Castle-Greystone Lands
It was a dud.
A dud.
All the hoopla surrounding the infamous treasure of Loch Morar and the creature that guarded it was a big old dud…well…at least this time it was.
Not that Paige was complaining. At least she was still in the past with Gavin, and they were now safely ensconced back within the walls of Greystone with the help of Muir, Alec and Graham. The rest of the men that had come to help in the battle (maybe a skirmish was a better word, it wasn’t that big, and it didn’t last that long) she presumed left. She didn’t ask because she had other matters to attend to which was bringing an unconscious Gavin back to Greystone.
All the men that were here with Broderick had either been killed in the skirmish or taken themselves off to who knew where. Not that she was complaining, she was glad they were gone. But where did they go? And more importantly, where did Broderick go? After his attempt at killing Gavin went to the wayside and the Earth started to move (which was just too weird to even comment on) he had taken off running. After that she had no idea where he went. And she really didn’t care as long as he stayed gone, however, knowing Broderick, and the fact that the elusive treasure was still unfound, she was sure he would be returning. How could he not? Wasn’t that what all the killing had been for? She didn’t know, and at this juncture she doubted she would be finding out anytime soon.
Reaching down, she pressed the back of her hand to Gavin’s forehead. It felt warm but not overly so. Since Gavin had fallen on her at the Loch, he hadn’t regained consciousness. That was three days ago.
There was a lot of things she didn’t understand. Why was he unconscious? Why didn’t the creature make an appearance? All the signs were there that night. The full moon, the mist, a plethora of live bodies for food and yet, other than the Earth moving up and down and the water bubbling, nothing happened. Well, a lot happened that night…but no creature.
Still, no matter how many times she moved the events around in her head she still couldn’t figure out why it didn’t happen.
And even now, when all the drama was over, she still couldn’t help feeling that something felt off. Well, to be honest there were a few things off. She was the one in charge now. Muir, Alec, and Graham had reluctantly left with her urging to retrieve Callum from Shamus. Now she was all alone in the castle tending to Gavin, who by all accounts should be awake, but he was not. She didn’t know what to make of it.
Pressing her hand to her aching back, she stood up from the edge of the bed, crossed the room and poured more water into a bowl, then took it back to the bed. Sitting down once again, she dipped the rag inside the bowl, got it nice and wet, then squeezed out the excess water and placed it back on his forehead. She wasn’t sure if it even helped but it gave her something to do. Once she finished that, she stood up, crossed the room and tossed some more wood on the fire. Muir had made sure she had a good-sized pile before he left.
Reaching over, she patted Elvis’ head. “Good boy.” She kept him in the room, not only for company but also because he would alert her if anyone came back inside the castle.
Not having anything else to occupy her time, she decided to try to get some sleep. Taking off her shoes, she crawled up beside Gavin, and laid down. Within moments she was sound asleep.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
LOCH MORAR, SCOTLAND
The Past – the Castle-Greystone Lands
Gavin was in the midst of the same nightmare that kept replaying itself over and over again in his unconscious mind.
He was back a Loch Morar and this time, Jillian was there but she didn’t look the same. His lass, Paige, was there as well. He couldn’t quite grasp why he was seeing both of them at the same time. Paige was standing in front of the Loch and Jillian was laughing. Not at him, but at his lass. His heart tugged in two separate directions.
“What are ye doing?” he asked and his voice vibrated strangely in his ears.
“I’m helping you get the treasure,” she said, gleefully.
The answer was innocent enough, he supposed, but something about her demeanor set his nerves on edge. “How?”
“We are going to use her.” Jillian pointed her finger at Paige.
Gavin shook his head. “Jillian, she is no going ta be a sacrifice.”
“Of course, she is. That’s what she is here for.”
“Nay.” He shook his head again. “There must be another way.”
“No, my Laird.” She laughed again and her voice crackled eerily reminding him of someone else. “Why else would she be here? She is the one you have fallen in love with and now, she must be sacrificed.”
“Nay, Jillian, I love ye.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he knew what he was saying was no longer true. He loved her at one time, aye, but not now.
“See,” she taunted. “You have just come to realize what I’ve known all along.”
Before Gavin could move, or say another word, the monster emerged from the Loch. The scaly head listed back and forth about to strike his lass.
“Naaaaay….”
♦
Gavin jerked awake. His entire body hurt but at the same time, he was uncomfortably aroused. Blinking, he tried to see, but the room was dim. And even though he could not see very well he felt rather than saw that he was home again. Had it all been a nightmare? He couldn’t help but wonder. He tried to sit up and groaned in pain. Falling back on the pillows, he shut his eyes once again.
“Shhh,” said a familiar voice as the bed gave at his side. “It’s all right my love, I am here now.”
Cool, clammy, hands slid up his thighs and wrapped around his jutting ere
ction.
Gavin pulled in a sharp intake of air. “Lass,” he half moaned/groaned. Reaching down, he grabbed her hands and opened his eyes.
In disbelief, he stared up at the crimson haired beauty. The one that had plagued him many a night in his dreams. Sure he was dreaming, he closed his eyes and reopened them again.
She was still there.
“Jillian?”
♥
Be on the lookout for the next book in the #1 Bestselling Scottish Time Travel Series - ‘Lost in the Highlands’, Volume Three … Now available for Pre-Order at these retailers KOBO, IBOOKs, BARNES & NOBLE….
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Lost in the Highlands, the Thirteen Scotsman, Book Three © 2017 by Lorraine Beaumont
LOCH MORAR, SCOTLAND
Sometime during the reign of King James
Cottage – Somewhere on Greystone Lands
Morag pounded another nail into the floorboards. “Good-riddance,” she said, swinging the hammer madly to bring home the last nail. Once she was sure the boards were going ta stay put, she stood up and pressed her hands into her lower back. She wasn’t the young miss she once was, but even she had to admit, after the last full moon, she did feel significantly spryer. A good spell would do that, she thought. Looking at the cauldron simmering away inside the hearth, she wondered how much time she had left. That damn Highlander was delaying things, things she need ta accomplish, all because of his contrary emotions. “Och, I no want this one. The lass, is no good enough,” she mimicked with irritation.
A thump and a groan of pain sounded from under the floorboards stopping her rant.
“Och!” She stomped her foot down. “Shut yer mouth or I will be giving ye something ta complain about.”
The groaning and thumping abruptly stopped.
She smiled, revealing four missing teeth. “There now, see, I am no inhospitable.”
Brushing off her hands, and glancing one last time at her handiwork, she walked back outside of the cottage, her cottage, and looked up at the sky, biding her time until the next full moon. Then she would have everything promised ta her—she could hardly wait.
♥
A Personal Note from Lorraine -
This second book turned out a bit darker than I anticipated. I was originally going for some more humor like the first book, but apparently my characters had other ideas. As for the ending, sorry, I know some of you hate cliff hangers but I could not seem to find a good stopping point without becoming too involved in the final book.
Still, I truly hope you enjoyed getting to know Paige and Gavin a little better by learning about some things that make them who they are.
As for the next book, I have it up for pre-order at KOBO, BARNES & NOBEL and IBOOKS.
In meantime, if you are looking for something new to read, check out my other series.
Thanks again for reading!
Lorraine Beaumont ♥
RAVENHURST SERIES
#1 Bestselling Time Travel Series
“If you have ever wanted to take an adventure through time, this would be the one to take! Loved every single moment of these books and did not want them to end!” Bewitch Me Romance
A once forgotten legend...
Katherine Nicole Jamison never imagined when she took a job at a prestigious auction house for the summer, that one moment of impulsiveness could change her life forever. When she "borrows" an ancient amulet, she inadvertently sets in motion a series of events, which results in her waking up in 18th century England, betrothed to an arrogant, self-centered Earl.
Sebastian de Winter ~ The Earl of Ravenhurst, is a renowned womanizer who always prided himself as being a ladies man, until he is left standing at the altar. His betrothed Marguerite vanishes and as if by magic reappears months later. But is she his betrothed?
Ravenhurst ~ locked somewhere within the gloomy confines of this ancient edifice is the key that will unlock the door of time itself.
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
EDENBROOKE HOLLOW SERIES
“Poof! Magically Entertaining!” R Hart
Novice witch Melody Granger is on a mission to not only learn the spells she needs to get into the elite circle within her coven but also get the guy of her dreams with one. But when she inadvertently buys a defective spell book from a Charlatan at the local Potions, Broomsticks, and Beyond and her spells start to backfire she realizes that someone may not only be trying to derail her carefully laid plans to join the elite circle within her coven but also get rid of her for good.
Derrick St. Claire -A Vampire with an insatiable appetite... striking good looks and too much money to spend in his many lifetimes wants his ancestral home back from the Black Hat Society's Patronesses who have taken it over for their coven and yearly witches' ball. As far as he is concerned, like oil and water, Witches and Vampires don't mix, but when he encounters Melody Granger, a novice witch with a penchant for getting herself into trouble he realizes that some rules, even his own, are made to be broken.
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BRIARCLIFF SERIES
“A paranormal romance for those who are not afraid of the dark!” Sookie Stackhouse Reviews
The paranormal romance that centers the story and pulls you into its embrace like a lover you had forgotten how much you enjoyed kissing. There is mystery and more than anything there is the need to find out what dark secret lies at the core of it all.
Briarcliff Township may look like any other town snuggled deep within the forests of the New England coastline but it harbors a dark secret. When the winds change, old stirrings arise from forgotten misdeeds and a thirst for vengeance. Something wicked this way comes…
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ABOUT LORRAINE
Lorraine Beaumont is a #1 Bestselling Author and an Award-Winning poet. Even though she writes is several genres’ all of her books are written with an ensemble cast of characters, filled with plenty twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. She has four series to date and is in the process of working on another series.
She lives in what she calls (Farm Country) Maryland with her family and is currently working on her next novel. For more information, connect with her online: She LOVES hearing for her readers!
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Lost in the Highlands, Volume Two Page 36
