He heaved a huge sigh of relief and the two young women realized they now must go and leave Killian alone with her. Mary glanced at Alainn once more and then looked upward with her eyes closed obviously sending a desperate, heartfelt prayer for her young friend. Molly was less quiet about it, for she placed a tender farewell kiss upon Alainn’s cheek and then the typically shy, reserved girl wailed loudly and mournfully as she ran sobbing from the room.
The silence after they left was most disturbing. Mara looked at Killian. There was desperation upon his young, handsome face that at the moment looked severely beaten and marred. She thought of another young man whose face had appeared just that way for been beaten as severely after he’d crossed this young man’s grandfather. That had been the last time she’d seen her own beloved, Teige. He’d been taken to the dungeon while the chieftain dealt with her. And then apparently he’d been told she’d been killed. And he’d evidently believed it for he’d gone away and she’d been left alone to contend with the wrathful chieftain and months later the child who now lay so near death herself. Had Teige O’Rorke met with death? Mara had wondered that every day for the past ten and eight years. And if he had died, in death would he finally be allowed to meet his daughter in the beyond?
She felt her own hopeless tears sliding down her cheeks. She’d allowed herself to weep so seldom throughout the years. She’d always felt it was a sign of weakness, and a useless frailty to allow hers tears to flow, but now it seemed pointless to try to conceal her deep fear and heartache. The young man beside her took her hand in his at their shared grief and this profoundly moved her.
“You are a good man, Killian O’Brien. My daughter was wise beyond her years to give her heart to you. Even if she and the child are taken, I sense the curse will now be broken. No more O’Brien babies shall be taken because of my horridly unforgivable curse. Alainn has been accepted by you, and by your cousins. I think deep within your uncle’s darkened soul, he, too, knows the truth.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Danhoul’s eyes skirted the bushes behind the stone ruins, hoping to locate the priest. He knew through his abilities that he was surely the one who had shot the poisoned dart at Alainn. Through all his attempts at healing Alainn, he had been unable to render any improvement, and so feeling entirely ineffective and at wit’s end, he deducted he would use his abilities to discover the whereabouts of her assailant.
He had enlisted the Captain of the Guard, Mackenzie MacArthur to accompany him and the man seemed to agree with his conclusion it was quite possibly the priest who was to blame for Alainn’s grave malady.
They had gone to the castle’s abbey and to the priest’s chambers, but to no avail. The man seemed nowhere to be found. The captain had sent out many men to search for the priest, but there was no evident sign of the man. They had searched the dungeon as well, for it was learned through a castle guard it was the priest who had freed the prisoner, Richard McGilvary.
Danhoul finally had been able to conjure a vision of the priest hidden amongst the ruins of the nearby ancient abbey, and Mac believed him without question. Together with a dozen guards, they began searching the ruins for the man. To everyone’s disbelief the man simply came out from where he had been concealed behind the stones. He was carrying the bundle of poisoned darts and made no effort to keep them hidden.
“Drop the weapons and surrender yourself to us immediately!” the captain demanded.
The priest, whose eyes were wide and filled with fear and torment, did as instructed but seemed to be intent on looking behind him, clearly far more concerned with the unseen terror than the captain and his guards.
“I purposely killed the man with the dark skin and unusual abilities and the young healer as well. I killed them both and now you must kill me! I beseech you, take my life now!” the priest begged the captain.
“You’ll not be getting off that easily, Father. You’ll be judged by the chieftain and the just punishment will be issued in due course!”
“No, I beg of you, you must end my life now, for death must be preferential to this loathsome darkness that surrounds me, I’d risk eternal fire and damnation in the pits of hell if it will mean the darkness that surrounds me and from within me is no more!”
The guards all appeared hesitant to capture the priest who had wielded much power and issued so many threats of what would befall them in hell. Now that he was surely driven to unquestionable madness, they backed away from the stricken man.
Mac started toward the priest and the holy man’s eyes registered great relief. Just as the captain detained the man, Danhoul noticed the immense shadow of a demon beast enshrouded the priest.
He issued a swift warning to the captain. “Back away, Captain and don’t look back! Leave him where he stands!”
Although Mac was uncertain of the young druid’s meaning, he had witnessed enough of Alainn’s unusual abilities to realize this young man also had the gift of second sight. He let go of the priest and jumped back out of the way. As the ruins of the stone abbey began to quake and rumble, the dark sinister shadow began to completely cover the priest. Danhoul aimed his dagger directly toward the priest’s heart. At precisely the same moment he saw from within the clouds above him that Aine had come to avenge her youngest kin and she, too, hurled a dagger at the priest. Both daggers simultaneously pierced his heart and he crumpled to the ground. The dying man smiled gratefully at Danhoul as his terrified eyes grew blank and then closed. Danhoul shivered as the demon’s ghastly silhouette shrank back into the shadows. When he glanced skyward he saw Aine was no longer present.
Not one of the guards or the captain seemed to question the fact the young druid had taken the priest’s life without judgment by the chieftain. Though they had not witnessed the sight of the demon as Danhoul had, each and every one of them had become filled with such a palpable dread of inexplicable evil, they all had feared for their own lives.
Danhoul and Mac exchanged a knowing glance and then Danhoul looked toward the skies and knew well he could sense the presence of another Celtic god nearby. When the captain and his guards had removed the body of the priest and made their way back to the castle, Danhoul waited until they were gone from sight. He sensed the demon still rested in the darkened shadows of the ruins where he’d last seen the hellish beast.
The priest had been wise and learned enough to know the creature was following him and using him to do his bidding. He must have known he was incapable of ridding himself of the beast so he had led him to the ruins of an abbey, a holy place in bright daylight. Now that the priest had been killed, the creature would surely need another dark soul to latch onto while daylight remained. Only in darkness could he move about freely on his own. As daylight slowly dwindled Danhoul knew he would soon have little choice but to leave before it became too perilous to remain. He glanced upward and silently called to the gods.
“Do you mean to assist me with this matter? Now your fireballs would actually be of some use, Lugh!”
He recognized the scent as he heard the whizzing and popping in response to his request.
As flames engulfed the trees that surrounded the abbey, it formed a circle of blazing light in the holy place that capably imprisoned the dark beast. Danhoul heard a distinctly familiar shriek and a pathetic howling. Then he watched as the sky above the abbey grew ablaze with the flames and the creatures tortured screams grew louder. He waited until the sounds stopped and the flames died down.
Danhoul dared to walk within the charred stones and viewed the grotesque blackened corpse of the hideous creature. Although he was well pleased that the demon had been killed, there was something about the death that did not leave him completely relieved or certain that the threat had been entirely extinguished. Was this actually the demon who had pursued Alainn or just another of his dark legions who had joined forces with the dark one and assisted him in threatening and harming Alainn? Then he stepped back as he saw the spirit of Ainna appear before him and encircle him in a welcomed
white light.
“You have killed the dark demon.” She smiled appreciatively at the young druid.
“Aye, well one of the dark demons,” he answered in a forlorn and disillusioned voice. But I am not certain he is the actual beast who has been pursuing Alainn for so long. He was perhaps only another being recently released from the Unseelie Court when the portal opened. And I can feel not a hint of joy or relief at the moment as I cannot for all my attempts cause even the slightest improvement in Alainn’s condition. I fear she will not live.”
“It is not certain! Have you spoken with my mother, with the Council of the Gods?”
“Not yet, I suspect I will be summoned soon.”
“Aye, you are to come with me now!” The booming voice of Lugh called to them from the clouds.
Danhoul felt himself being transported away as he saw Ainna’s spectral presence fade as well.
“Why are we not permitted to interfere in this matter?” Lugh declared, ready to stand his ground. “If I am assigned to be her guardian why have they deemed we should do nothing at this time?”
“I am uncertain, Lugh. What I do know is if she is not pulled from this deep sleep straightaway, she will never waken, and there are many tasks she must fulfill. The council was clear on that, so I cannot say why they allow us to simply stand by and do nothing at this critical time.” Aine fretted.
The young druid stood listening to the two others, but did not speak. He doubted he would have any say in any of it. He never had, and sure he never would.
“If we could send her forward now, the future remedies may save her and ensure her safety from the dark ones, but then it will be necessary for you to bring her back to her time again!” The woman directed her comments to Danhoul. “And in my very bones I sense events will be changed much too drastically if she was to do so now, for she is not to venture forward for some time. The others have not arrived yet.”
“Then someone must do something to assist in changing events or allow my magic to be heightened so that I may do so.” The young man finally spoke.
“Lugh cannot enter the human world, and I, too, have now been forbidden to interfere at this time. I am no longer allowed to return to earth. Because of the unrest between the gods and the recent battles with the dragons and the Fomorians, it has been a time of chaos and unrest in our realm. The Council of the Gods has placed unwavering restrictions on all of us.
I secretly enlisted Ainna’s spirit to assist me and she was able to thwart the evildoers’ attempts to harm Alainn in the dungeon. She ensured the demon and the two men with the dark souls did not do her harm there. The gods thought Alainn’s powers should be tested by going against the dark demon. I was disinclined to believe she was ready.
I also assisted Danhoul in killing the priest of my own accord to avenge the great harm he has caused Alainn, but the gods do not take kindly to me going against their decisions.”
Aine’s stern expression grew even more solemn as she continued with her explanation to the other two.
“They had apparently hoped to lure more of the dark creatures to that location by using the priest as bait, for it is said that those who are of a holy association are often sought after by demons. As are those such as Alainn and you, Danhoul, who possess magical abilities. The Council of the Gods now believes because of my blood connection I should not be allowed to cast vote on any further matters pertaining to Alainn. Because of my interference, I regrettably was unable to return to earth to prevent the poison from getting to her.”
“As it is now, I seem unable to heal her for all my magical attempts so you must, at the very least, assist her in regaining enough strength to remember what she must before it is too late!” Danhoul pleaded.
They wore dismal expressions as the conversation continued.
“And what of the child?” Lugh asked Aine.
“It has not been clearly decided although perhaps it would be a kindness if she were to lose...” Aine mused more to herself than the others, but did not complete the grim consideration.
“So you mean to simply stand by and allow her to die?” Danhoul’s tone was pained at these words.
“It may be so destined,” Aine answered.
“As so many times before.” Lugh reflected.
“To what end?” Danhoul angrily questioned in a voice that shook.
“To relive it over and over again until the desired outcome is achieved. Until she manages to survive once again, so that both of you are taken to the future, with the other two witches and their guardians. As searchers and guardians you will then right the wrongs and bring back the lost ones.” Aine reasoned.
Danhoul’s tone was that of utter defeat when he responded and he dared to openly reveal all within his mind. “One day Alainn will remember all that you have done, all that each of the gods have done. Though you have repeatedly assured me she will have no memories, she has begun to recognize me and soon the other memories will follow. Each time she relives this life, she gains more knowledge of the previous times and each time more powers and stronger abilities present themselves. The outcomes may be different each time but, as you’ve seen, never before has she found the dragons or the hellhounds. Even you and the whole Council of the Gods did not anticipate that... and what ramifications are being felt in this realm because of it!”
Aine and Lugh exchanged knowing glances at the druid’s frustration and the truths he spoke.
“If each time Alainn gains more magical strength and power and memory, one day she will remember everything and I would not desire to be any one of you if that day should come! Sure you’ll rue the day you do battle with Alainn in all her glory! You intend to employ her in the ultimate battle between good and evil, but should she remember all, she might be angry enough to thwart you in the end!”
They seemed unwilling to heed the young druid and Aine lifted her chin in stubborn defiance as Danhoul had seen her do so many times before, another trait Alainn had inherited.
“You have been a part of this as well, young Danhoul!” Aine accused.
“Not by choice, only by destiny as you have stated and by affiliation and loyalty to Alainn, but never because I agreed with how you control me or the lives of the many people I care for.”
“The end will justify the means, Danhoul, there are always difficult decisions and losses we must incur in the fight of good and evil. I much regret my young descendant must endure this pain and misfortune indefinitely and, because you care deeply for her, I see how it wears on you, but at any rate there is little use dwelling upon any of this. We must rejoice in the triumphs we do accomplish. We were finally able cast away the dark demons who search for the powers of the witches of my line.” Aine stated.
“One of the darkest demons has been dealt with, Aine. Perhaps if your young descendant should live, for a time she shall be free of the threat of those with dark alliances wishing to take her powers. But it is believed the darkest demon has managed to escape and there are sure to be others lurking in the shadows, especially now if they sense she is near death.” Lugh warned.
“They will not accomplish it; even in her deathlike state no creature of the darkness has ever been able to take her alone. The priest and the young man with the dark associations are now dead. Even the strongest of the dark demons will always need a human accomplice to aid him, and he will employ many in attempts to take her powers for his own.” Aine insisted.
“There will always be humans willing to assist the dark ones.” Lugh countered.
“But there will always be people with magical powers drawn to assist Alainn and her kind as well. Perhaps the spirit of Morag who has always had a strong connection to Alainn will be capable of making her hear and heed her words now that one of the dark creatures has perished.” Danhoul hoped aloud.
“Perhaps,” Aine agreed but her tone lacked conviction.
He stood staring impatiently at the other two as they argued and discussed the young witch. Danhoul had long ago, in truth, sever
al lifetimes ago, become deeply attached to Alainn and he was in much despair knowing how short her time in this life would be, yet again, if someone did not swiftly come to her aid. He continued to purposely will his thoughts to Alainn’s mind and to the old healer’s spirit.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Killian and Mara heard the sound behind them and turned to find Hugh O’Brien, staring in at them from the doorway, a look of confusion upon his face. He slowly limped into the bedchamber and with great hesitation drew nearer to them. He stared at the bruised and broken lad who leaned upon the bed and at the woman who sat beside him...the glade witch—the terrifying sorceress who had been the source of great pain and tragedy to him and his line. She did not appear to be evil or strong. At the moment, she was likened to any mother whose heart grieved at the knowledge her child would soon die.
He allowed himself to look upon the young woman who seemed lifeless in his nephew’s arms. Her ashen face was beautiful even in her present state. Her long, dark eyelashes rested upon her perfect skin and he recalled a similar image of his own son. Once, when Rory had been a young boy he’d been ill and Morag, the old healer, had been uncertain if he would live through the night. His face had been as deathly pale as this girl’s now was, and his eyelashes had looked just as hers did now. He put his hand to her cheek, but Killian would not allow it and pushed it away.
The man sighed deeply. “She does look so like my, Rory. I suppose I was a fool not to see that before now. I believe she is an O’Rorke, perhaps I have always known, but was too proud and bullheaded to admit it.”
The Chieftain's Daughter Page 23
