by Shea Balik
Two hours later, when he awoke for the second time, Brandr had been helping the less wounded up the ladder. Seeing that Logan was awake and trying to stand once more, Brandr had headed his way. Which had been a good thing, for by the time Logan gained his feet, a wave of dizziness had him tumbling to the ground.
At least he hadn’t fainted, but it was still embarrassing. Made even more so when Brandr insisted on carrying him everywhere, including up the ladder. Good thing Brandr had just helped him to stand on his own two feet when Logan’s old friends had seen him.
“Did I forget to mention that all your friends from the summers you spent with other druid families were living with us?” Brandr murmured.
“Yesss,” he hissed as both Kegan and Teagan came rushing toward him, giving him a bear hug that stole the breath from his already weakened lungs.
In fairness, Logan hadn’t exactly been awake for long enough periods of time for them to talk. But still, he’d mentioned that he and seven of his Viking friends, the ones that had been cursed at the same time he had been, lived in a huge house in Colorado. One would think the fact that Logan’s friends were there too would have been an important fact to mention.
“I’m so glad he found you,” Kegan whispered.
“We were so worried about you,” Teagan told him at the same time. “We’ve been searching for you for months.”
“Yeah, well, after my family was killed at the winter solstice ritual, I’ve been on the run.” He motioned to the other druids that were making their way to one of two buses. “I joined up with this group but wasn’t able to stay in contact on social media, since I lost my phone.”
Not that he would have regardless. Somehow the thought of posting ridiculous memes didn’t seem as important when he had been running for his life.
“Come on,” Kegan said as he linked his arm with Logan’s. “Let’s get you on the bus so we can get out of here.”
“Wait,” Logan said as he looked around for Brandr, who was still only a few steps away. “Where’s Tyree?”
Brandr smiled at him and Logan felt his bones melt. It was already difficult enough to remain standing but when the man looked at him like Logan was someone special, it became nearly impossible.
“Whoa there, Logan,” Teagan said as he hooked an arm around Logan’s waist to hold him up. “You okay there, buddy?”
But before he could answer, Brandr stepped in and lifted Logan up into arms. As if he were made for that exact spot, Logan found himself leaning closer so his head rested against Brandr’s shoulder. “I’ll get you settle on the bus,” Brandr told him. “Then I’ll go get Tyree and bring him to you. And not to worry, Leith is watching over him.”
Logan could imagine Leith standing guard, daring anyone to come near his brother. He had no idea what had gotten into Leith to bring him out of his shell and make him believe he could take on the world. If he had to guess it was the man currently carrying Logan, who was giving him a stern look, one he’d seen Leith imitate several times since he’d ordered him to eat.
“You must promise you won’t try to heal him further,” Brandr demanded as if he had any right to tell Logan what to do.
Brandr could believe he had the ability to boss Logan around all he wanted, but there was no way Logan was going to agree to that.
As if already knowing his answer, even though Logan hadn’t said a word, Brandr threatened him, “Either that, or he goes in the other bus.” Logan started to open his mouth to tell Brandr off, but Brandr being the dominant man that he was, stopped him by saying, “You need to regain your strength before you use your magic again.”
“Magic?” Kegan asked excitedly. “Do you know what your ability is? Mine is lightning but I still wish I had something else. I’m always afraid I’m going to hurt one of the kiddos in battle.”
“Yet, you never do,” Teagan chimed in. “I swear that fear is all in your head, especially now that you have better control over it.”
“But it’s lightning,” Kegan said as if that made all the difference in the world. In a way Logan supposed it kind of did. It actually seemed quite dangerous. “I mean it only takes one time and…” Kegan snapped his fingers.
“What? You’re going to snap someone in half?” Teagan joked. “I hate to tell you, but that’s not what lightning does.”
“Don’t worry, fated one,” Brandr said as he climbed into the bus, causing Kegan and Teagan to get behind them and muting their bickering slightly. “You’ll get used to the constant back and forth.”
Logan wasn’t so sure about that. But he had other things on his mind at the moment. “Why do you call me fated one?”
It hadn’t been at the top of his list of things to know, but since he was still in Brandr’s arms, it seemed like the easiest one to have answered. That had been his first mistake. By now, Logan would have thought he’d know that there was no such thing as easy.
“As you know, my friends and I were cursed,” Brandr said as he picked a seat near the back of the bus that had been cordoned off for those who needed to lie down. “At the same time Aed, your ancestor who cursed us, also said that one day eight druids would come together to seal the Veil forever.”
Huh? Logan was sure he was in some weird reality. Maybe he was still passed out and dreaming. Except, he didn’t think his imagination was this bizarre. But it would explain his overly chatty friends that he hadn’t seen in years suddenly showing up, as well as Brandr, who apparently was an ancient warrior cursed with immortality.
“Didn’t Brandr tell you?” Kegan said as he sat in the seat in front of Logan. He was turned around, probably sitting on his knees, staring over the back of the seat. “We’re the eight druids.”
“Who?” Logan was more confused than ever and he wasn’t so sure now was the time to try and sort it out. His head hurt and even though he’d slept the whole night through, since he didn’t remember anything after healing Tyree and it was morning, he was still exhausted.
“Us,” Teagan said as he sat – knelt – next to Kegan. “You, me, Kegan, Ryley, Cullen, Dermot, Mingus, and even Wylie, if you can believe that one.”
“What’s wrong with Wylie?” Kegan demanded of his friend. “I mean sure, he was always a bit flighty as a kid, but he’s the one who’s gotten us to work together.”
Teagan rolled his eyes. “I’m talking about before. Logan hasn’t seen him recently so how would he know how much he’s matur… Wait.” Teagan shook his head. “Nope. Sorry. I can’t use the word mature and Wylie in the same sentence.”
Kegan was bobbing his head like one of those toys. “True. He is still goofy as hell, but he isn’t always like that.”
Just then Brandr strode back onto the bus with Tyree in his arms and Leith close behind. “Guys. I appreciate the update, but Tyree is going to be back here so Brandr and I can keep an eye on him and he’s going to need his rest, as well as a few other patients.” When they both looked at him blinking, as if they had no clue what he was saying, Logan wanted to close his eyes and go back to sleep.
Actually, that sounded like a really good idea. His eyes apparently agreed for they started to close all on their own.
Thankfully, Brandr took over. “Kegan, Teagan, get in the other bus. We have most of the kids in there, so the injured can sleep in this bus and you two are entertaining them.”
“Aww man,” Kegan groaned. “More kids. It’s hard enough keeping up with Tess, Bryce, and Gillie and now we’re going to have more?”
“Go,” Brandr ordered.
“Yes, sir,” Teagan bit out sarcastically. “Since when did you become our supreme commander? I swear, you give someone the tiniest bit of responsibility and it goes straight to their head.”
All Logan knew was Teagan’s voice was becoming more distant, which meant even though he was bitching, at least he was getting off the bus. A few minutes later arms lifted him up off the seat and cradled him against a hard chest that should have been uncomfortable, but to Logan was the ideal sleeping spot.
“Sleep, my fated one. I’ll watch over you,” Brandr murmured.
There was that tiny part of his brain that demanded Logan open his eyes and get to work trying to heal Tyree some more. But it was overruled by the scent of Brandr as Logan inhaled. It was a mix of sweat, smoke, and a whole lot of the man who held him. He’d never considered that he’d like the way someone smelled, but as he burrowed his nose closer to the crook of Brandr’s neck, Logan not only like it, but it helped him relax with each breath he took.
Maybe a small nap would help. Then he could use his magic on Tyree and the others who needed him.
Just as sleep was pulling him under, Logan felt lips press against his forehead. A smile tried to tug at the corners of his lips, but Logan was too tired to move even those muscles.
“Sleep,” Brandr murmured softly again. “I’ll keep you safe.”
He couldn’t pinpoint why, but Logan believed Brandr as he finally succumbed to exhaustion.
CHAPTER 9
What should have only been a nine hour ride, had taken fourteen with the multiple bathroom stops for kids, although Kegan and Teagan had usually been the first ones to claim the bathrooms. By the time they’d arrived at the small farmhouse that concealed the entrance to the home Brandr and his friends had built long ago, he was ready to crawl into his own bed and sleep for a week.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t about to happen for several more hours. The large buses would never make it down the rutted path that would lead them to that home. Their only advantage was that with the exception of Cullen and Ulf, who were out investigating a lead on Kyleigh’s therapist, there would be plenty of help bringing everyone down the mountain to the valley where their house was nestled.
Trucks and SUVs brought the kids who weren’t injured, as well as the adults with only minor issues. For those with more serious problems who wouldn’t be able to handle the jarring ride, stretchers were brought up by vehicle and carried down by hand.
It took two trips for Brandr and his Viking friends to successfully bring everyone down, while the druids stayed with the kids and worked on getting everyone rooms. He and Eirik were carrying Ruth down the last stretch, while Bjorn and Oluf were taking the buses back from where they’d rented them.
Tyree was already in the main medical suite hooked up to an IV drip, Leith standing guard, or most likely asleep on the little cot he’d put in the room for the kid. The others were doing well enough to wait until he’d gotten everyone else safely in the house.
“Wow,” Logan whispered as he walked beside them. He’d insisted on staying with those that had to wait even though it had been obvious he longed to go with Tyree and do his magic. “This is where you live?”
Brandr smiled. It was how most people reacted when they got their first look. It had taken him and his friends a lot of time to build it, but in the end it had been worth the sweat and sore muscles.
Tucked at the bottom of a valley, with four mountains rising up along the four sides, was a grassy lawn as well as a horse pasture. Although, when Mingus recently joined them, they’d added cows and chickens to the mix, as well as expanding the garden they’d planted for fruits and vegetables.
There was even a greenhouse that had been installed for the coming winter months. They weren’t completely self-sustained, but the additions had decreased the amount of times they had to go to the store, which was good as far as Brandr was concerned. The nearest town, which wasn’t too far, didn’t begin to have enough food in stock for their growing numbers, which meant they had to go to the next town, which was forty-five minutes away.
“Is this a hotel?” Ruth asked as she lifted her head enough to see what had Logan in awe.
The comparison wasn’t far off. Brandr had thought Eirik’s plans to build something that big hadn’t been necessary. But there had many times through the years Eirik had been proven correct.
“No,” Brandr told her. “This is our home. Your home, if you choose to stay.”
“This is a house?” Logan blurted out. “How many people live here?” he asked as his eyes roamed along the expansive front and along one side which made up the east wing of the house.
Admittedly, it was a huge two-story building that tended to give the appearance of a hotel from the outside rather than a home. But that was only because it was so big. The hand cut logs that Brandr and his friends had chopped down themselves to make the home gave it a cabin feel. Well, it would if it was a bit smaller.
“With the addition of the thirty-four of you, fifty-eight.” There was a hitch in Eirik’s voice as he answered Logan. That fifty-eight was only if they could find Kyleigh.
That would only be the first step. And probably not the hardest. “Is there any word on finding Rowan?”
Eirik shook his head. “Ulf called and said it was a dead end.”
“Rowan?” Logan asked. “Who’s that?”
“She’s a therapist we found to help Cullen’s cousin, Kyleigh.” Brandr wasn’t sure how much to get into the situation. Logan would need to know, but they still had a long night ahead of them and he didn’t want to add to the stress. “She’s the last person who saw Kyleigh before she was enthralled. We need to find her if we have any hope of saving Kyleigh.”
Ruth’s sudden indrawn breath confirmed that now had been the perfect time to talk about it. “Do you know Rowan, Ruth?”
It seemed like a ridiculous question. He’d only given the woman’s first name. Rowan wasn’t exactly that common, but in the druid world it was used quite a bit. Still, his gut was telling him to find out what Ruth knew.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Or, at least, I think so.”
Eirik stopped moving forward. Since he was in front, he had to glance over his shoulder, but it didn’t hinder his ability to demand answers. “How do you know her?”
Ruth shook her head. “It’s not her, or not exactly…” Ruth let out a sigh. “I was friends with her mother and grandmother,” she said. “The Rowan I knew was a child the last time I saw her.”
“Then why do you think this might be her?” Brandr asked as he nudged the stretcher forward to get Eirik started again. Yes, they needed to talk to Ruth, but she also needed more pain reliever for her back. All this traveling had the lines around her mouth pulled tight as she tried to deal with the increasing discomfort.
Relieved that Eirik seemed to understand his silent request and continued to move forward, Brandr listened in horror as they made their way to the house.
“Again, I don’t know this is the same Rowan,” Ruth warned. “But I knew an older woman than even me by the name of Caoimhe Sítheach. She was…” Ruth hesitated but Brandr wasn’t sure if she didn’t want to continue or was searching for the right words. “She sold herself as sort of a shaman, or a druid priestess. She claimed she could create potions that would cure whatever ails you.”
“Did they work? For I’ve known many druids who had the ability to mix plants for great effect.” Today they were sold as ‘eastern’ medicine, but back before pharmaceutical companies that was how most people made their own versions of various drugs to heal.
“Bah,” Ruth waved a hand at nothing as if batting away the idea. “Caoimhe knew none of that. She would use over the counter medications, grind them into powders and sell them as if she held some great mystical power.” Ruth let out a snort of derision. “She couldn’t be trusted, especially by the druids.”
“Why druids?” Logan asked. “I am sure she was one of us. Okay, sure she went about making money the wrong way, but they wouldn’t hurt druids more than anyone else.”
Ruth reached out a hand and took Logan’s for a moment in hers. “That’s where you’re wrong, my boy. For when her child, Elspeth was young, maybe fourteen, but I’m not sure of her age, Caoimhe claimed the Fae tried to enthrall her daughter.”
“Rowan told us the same thing. That her grandmother, who I assumed was Caoimhe, had developed a powerful spell to shield Elspeth, and eventually Rowan, from ever being detected by
the Fae,” Eirik said as they climbed the steps to the front porch.
“But that’s not what she did,” Ruth said causing Eirik to stop before opening the front door. Instead, he indicated for Brandr to put the stretcher down.
Then he helped the women to her feet and sat her in one of the many rockers that lined the giant structure. Eirik took another rocking chair and turned it to face her. “What did Caoimhe do?”
Tears sprang to Ruth’s eyes. “We didn’t know in the beginning, I swear it.”
Logan leaned against Brandr, as if seeking his comfort, which he was happy to give. Placing an arm around the man, he held Logan close.
“At first, none of us believed her.” Ruth bent her head and stared at the floorboards beneath her. “I mean, she was always making up ‘miracle’ cures, and most of us thought this was just a way to garner sympathy.”
When she looked up at them, there was so much despair in her eyes that Logan instantly reached out and held her hand. She gave him a watery smile. With effort she pulled in a breath to steady herself before continuing.
“We only focused on Caoimhe and her scheming ways. If we’d just paid attention to Elspeth.” Ruth’s voice shook as she continued. “It was obvious the child was traumatized. But I was twenty-seven and too old to really know Elspeth well. Some of the younger ones tried to tell us, but we assumed they were eager to believe the stories of the Fae.”
She let out a harsh laugh. “If only we had listened.” Then she sighed and dropped her head again as if too ashamed to look at any of them. “There were rumors of Caoimhe searching far and wide for that spell you spoke of, but that hadn’t been what she was doing.”
All the hairs on Brandr’s body rose up, warning him something was wrong. He feared he knew where this might be leading. He could only pray that he was wrong.
“When Elspeth was twenty she had a child, Rowan. No one had known who the father was, but we weren’t exactly surprised. Since Elspeth had turned seventeen or eighteen, she stared to sleep around, a lot.” Ruth shook her head. “There were whispers about her mother even bringing men into the home for Elspeth.”
