by Donna Grant
Evie took a deep breath and climbed out of the car. She settled her purse strap on her shoulder and walked to the window to purchase her ticket.
She was there twenty minutes early, but she wanted a look around herself. Apprehension prickled her skin as she waited in line behind a large group.
When she was finally inside and descending the stairs down to the museum and gift shop, she passed dozens of people.
It wasn’t until she went through the gift shop and stepped outside once more that she spotted the group of schoolkids led by three teachers as they spoke about the history of Urquhart.
All those children gave her pause. What if she used her black magic and it hurt them? What if she didn’t use her magic and Brian was killed?
She felt sick to her stomach. Brian was her family, her only family. She was responsible for him. It had been her curiosity that had gotten him into this mess.
But to injure or kill a child on purpose or by accident to save her brother?
I’m going to Hell anyway.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Malcolm had warned her she would have difficult choices to make. This would be the first of many.
Her steps were awkward and wooden as she walked the gently sloping steps that took her down to the level of the ruins. She passed through the gatehouse of the castle and gasped as a gust of wind struck her.
She noticed the dark clouds gathering above. Would she be lucky enough that the approaching storm might send everyone inside? But no one took notice. Not even when large, fat drops of rain began to fall.
“Can’t I catch a break?” she mumbled.
Two squealing young girls came running into the gatehouse area out of the rain, their giggles and laughter reminding Evie of innocence and youth.
That could be shattered if magic—black magic—was used at the castle. How many would die? How many mentally scarred for life?
But Brian’s chances at remaining alive had risen now that she had black magic.
She prayed Brian had been treated well, because though she might not want to kill anyone, she wasn’t sure how she would react if her brother showed any physical signs of abuse.
Evie stepped into the rain. She opted against the main castle since it was jam-packed with people and instead went to the right where there was a small tower that would offer her protection from the rain and more privacy to keep a lookout for Brian.
She hurried to the stone building unmindful of the rain. Just as she stepped inside, she ran into someone. Evie looked up into the palest blue eyes and stopped short. The man was gorgeous. Heart-stopping material actually.
He grinned and ran a hand through his black hair. “Excuse me, lass. I didna see where I was going.”
Evie nodded. She watched him walk into the rain, his camera in his hand. A month ago she might have flirted with him, but not after a night in Malcolm’s arms.
Her gaze searched for any hint of Brian, but she also looked for Malcolm. Without a doubt, she knew he would be there. She just wished she knew where.
He’d told her it was for her protection because she might glance his way if something went wrong. That would lead the kidnappers to know she wasn’t alone. Or so Malcolm had said.
Evie wanted to think she knew better than to look at him, but then again, she wasn’t sure of anything anymore. She’d never been in such a situation before.
Her blood pounded in her ears and her stomach was so tied in knots she feared she might lose what breakfast she’d managed to get down.
Evie bit back a giggle as she imagined what the kidnappers would do if she vomited all over them. She covered her mouth to hide the laughter that wouldn’t be contained.
If it would throw the kidnappers off, she might be willing to get sick in public.
She took a deep breath when the giggles subsided. It was delirium. She knew that. Fear, apprehension, foreboding, and a multitude of other emotions were her constant companions. A person could only take so much before they broke.
Apparently her breaking point was thinking of vomiting on someone.
Evie smiled again, but it quickly died as she saw a group of people walking from the gift shop toward the castle. A glance at her watch showed it was ten minutes until noon. Brian could be in that group.
She rose up on tiptoes, leaning her body one way and the other looking for some sign of him. Just as she was about to give up, she spotted his tall frame that had begun to fill out with muscles over the last year.
His head turned and she saw his face. Evie let out a relieved breath. It was Brian. She was closer than ever to getting him back.
Nothing would stand in her way now.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
Malcolm broke the surface of the water and began to climb the rocks to Urquhart. He’d felt Evie’s magic the entire swim to the ruins, and now that he was closer, he could pinpoint where she was on the grounds.
He breathed a sigh of relief that somehow she’d put herself close to Hal. Hopefully, the Dragon King would stay near her.
Malcolm peered over the rocks and saw the sheer number of tourists. He clenched his jaw. It was going to be difficult to get everyone out safely, if his worst fears came to pass and it was Wallace after Evie.
The steps leading up and out of the castle were wide, but there were many, and the fact there was a group of children didn’t bode well for anyone.
The rain was helping to keep a large number of tourists in the large gift shop and café. A few more were making their way inside as he watched.
Malcolm paused when he felt his god roar in approval right before there was a crack of lightning. It was always the same in a storm. Daal craved the lightning.
And now, so did Malcolm.
Electrical currents rushed along his arms and pooled in his palms, waiting to be released. He refused to give in to the thrill of shooting the lightning from his hands as he normally did. Instead, he focused on Evie.
He continued up the rocks until they merged with the stones of the ruins and he was on top of the small tower where Evie was. He stretched himself out on his stomach and let his gaze wander the area when he felt the first nauseating strings of drough magic.
Malcolm knew the feel of that particular magic. It was Jason Wallace. Just as he’d suspected. Electrical currents crackled in his palms, vibrating the tower as he fought not to attack the bastard.
“Easy,” came a voice to Malcolm’s left.
He recognized it as Hal’s and knew the dragon was trying to help. “Wallace is here,” he whispered, knowing the King had hearing as good as his own.
“Fuck,” came the muffled reply.
In the distance, bells began to chime from a nearby church, signaling noon. Malcolm struggled against leaving his hidden position and going to Evie. She might be a drough now, but she didn’t stand a chance against someone like Wallace.
Not only did he have more potent magic, but she was too tenderhearted and had too much of a conscience to do the unspeakable things Wallace was capable of.
Malcolm’s claws shot from his fingers and punctured the roofing when he spotted Evie as she emerged from the tower and walked away from him.
“Nay,” he whispered.
If he went after her, there was a chance she would lose Brian, possibly forever. She’d never forgive him for that.
But if he remained where he was, Malcolm knew Wallace would try and take her. Malcolm would never forgive himself if that happened.
“Give her time,” Hal cautioned.
Malcolm looked over the side of the tower to find Hal facing away from Evie and pretending to take pictures. Hal kept turning his body and clicking the camera until he had his back to the water.
It was killing Malcolm to wait, but he knew the dragon was right. He had to give her time to try and make the exchange.
His body tensed when she stopped walking and grabbed her mobile. Anger and fear spiked in her magic as she slowly lowered the phone and turned to a bench.
When she sat, Malcolm watched anyone who came near her, waiting to see if it was Wallace or some lackey. The fact Malcolm could feel Wallace’s magic but not find him only made it more difficult to linger where he was.
Malcolm’s god bellowed in warning when a teacher called a group of kids together behind Evie’s bench. A woman sat beside Evie, and just when Malcolm thought she might be the lackey, a man called out to her and she rose to go to him.
Evie was once more alone. She sat stiffly, her gaze alighting on everyone. Seconds ticked by until a man in a trench coat and plaid cap pulled low sat beside her.
As soon as Evie’s head swiveled to the man, Malcolm knew she was about to make the trade for Brian.
* * *
“You came alone. Good.”
Evie’s heart beat a slow, sickening thud in her chest. She clutched her purse and looked to her right where the man sat. “Where’s Brian?”
“Oh, he’s around. Doona concern yourself with him.”
Evie tried to see something of the man’s face, but with his hat low and the collar of his coat up, she had no luck catching sight of anything but his thin lips and the ever-present smirk.
“I’m not giving you the necklace until I see my brother,” she said in a voice she didn’t recognize.
“Hmm. Maybe you have some gumption after all. You should’ve been smarter to begin with and no’ put up a picture of that lovely necklace of yours. Do you even know what it is?”
“Yes,” she said. It wasn’t an outright lie. She knew the necklace held a spell, she just didn’t know what the spell was. “Enough stalling. My brother. Now.”
The man stretched out both arms on the back of the bench. “Now, Miss Walker, you need to mind your manners. I’m the one calling the shots today.”
Evie made herself remain still when she wanted to send a blast of magic straight at his head. “The longer you hold off returning Brian, the longer you’ll wait to get the necklace.”
“There’s no need for that. Give me the necklace now.”
“Do you think I’m that naïve?” she asked with a snort.
“Give me the necklace now, or you’ll never see your brother again.”
Evie couldn’t feel her legs, but somehow she got to her feet. “You could’ve already killed him for all I know. I’m not handing you the necklace until I know he’s alive.”
“Did you ever stop to wonder how I got your brother away from the highly skilled security at his school? Maybe you should think about that before you threaten me.”
“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise. And you might think you’re skilled enough to hack into my system and somehow get to my brother, but trust me when I say if I don’t get Brian back today, you’ll never get your hands on the necklace.”
The man’s head shifted upward, but the shadows still concealed his face. “You and I would make a fine team, Miss Walker. If you ever decide to join those of us using black magic, let me know.”
“Brian. Now.”
He put his hands on his legs before he rose to his feet. “In a few seconds you’ll see Brian come through the gatehouse. Leave the necklace in the tower under the left window. If you try to trick me, trust me when I say neither you nor your brother will leave alive. And if you’re thinking of using magic, know that I have no problem killing everyone here.”
Evie blinked through the rain and nodded. “Fine. Just get out of my sight and send Brian.”
The man gave a bow of his head and turned on his heel. He faded into the crowd as lightning struck behind her. She jumped, startled by the vibrations in the ground. Evie briefly wondered if it was Malcolm, but those thoughts scattered as she caught sight of Brian coming through the gatehouse.
“Brian!” she hollered and waved her arms even as she wondered if she could give the necklace to a man who was obviously evil.
* * *
Malcolm watched the tall, lanky teenager start toward Evie. He was several inches taller than she, and already he’d begun to fill out. Malcolm suspected the lad would reach his full height soon.
He wanted to observe Evie and Brian’s reunion, but he focused instead on the man who had approached Evie. His voice didn’t match Wallace’s, but that was something easily changed with magic.
The only thing that kept Malcolm hidden was that he caught sight of both Hal and Guy closing in behind Evie. Malcolm rolled to the side and off the roof, landing on his feet behind a couple huddled under an umbrella.
They never heard him come within inches of them. Malcolm turned and started after the man, making himself as invisible as he could.
An older woman whistled when he passed her, but he didn’t slow his stride. He was almost upon the man when Evie’s magic, full of shock and fury, stopped him cold.
Malcolm stood straight and slowly turned to his right where Evie was.
* * *
Evie shook her head at the boy before her. She noticed something odd about him when he’d drawn close, but she was so happy to see Brian she hadn’t given it much thought. But the longer she looked at him, the more she knew.
This wasn’t Brian.
“Who are you?”
The boy scrunched up his face and shrugged.
“No,” she said and fought tears. “You’re not my brother.”
The boy suddenly smiled and reached for her. Before Evie could react, he somehow got ahold of her necklace and gave a vicious jerk. The chains bit into her neck, cutting her before they broke and he took off running with her necklace.
“Stop!” she yelled and sent a blast of magic at him.
As soon as her magic hit the boy, there was nothing but smoke. It was as if he disappeared.
Evie’s legs buckled when someone grabbed her arms and kept her upright.
“You need to come with me, Evie,” the man said urgently. “I’m a friend of Malcolm’s. He asked me to look out for you while he tended to things.”
Evie turned her head and looked at the man with the startling pale brown eyes ringed with black. His hair was shoved away from his face and was as soaked as his clothes.
“I’m Guy. A friend,” he repeated more slowly as he stared into her eyes. “I’ll bring you to Malcolm, but we have to go. Now.”
“Aye, now,” said another man who ran ahead of them.
Evie recognized him as the one she’d bumped into earlier. She touched her neck, but there was no comforting presence of the necklace anymore. “They got the necklace. And they still have Brian.”
“Leave that to Malcolm for now.”
Guy began to tug her after him, and that was when Evie noticed everyone running toward the gatehouse to try and leave the ruins.
Hundreds of screams suddenly filled her ears before a crack of lightning landed somewhere behind her. She jerked her arm out of Guy’s grasp and turned to find Malcolm standing in the middle of a grassy section with his arms out to his sides and lightning blazing around him, from him.
Through him.
It was a glorious, impressive sight to behold. Malcolm’s power was evident in his ferocity and unleashed fury. He stood bare chested, his skin colored maroon as he became one with the lightning.
“Oh,” she whispered.
“Evie, Malcolm will have my head if I doona get you out of here.”
She looked over her shoulder at Guy. “I can’t leave him. I’m a … I have magic.”
“I know.” Guy’s lips flattened briefly. “I want to help him as well, but if he’s right—and he has been so far—whoever took your brother and the necklace will be coming for you next.”
She let him pull her farther away from Malcolm. “But why? They have everything now.”
“No’ hardly,” said the second man. “You know how to work the necklace, lass.”
They reached the gatehouse, and Evie took one last look at Malcolm as another man approached him. A bolt of lightning struck the man, but a second later Malcolm went flying backward to land with a thud against some ruins.
“Bloody hell,”
Guy said.
Evie screamed Malcolm’s name, but Guy lifted her in his arms and started running.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-THREE
Malcolm’s head exploded with agony as it slammed back against the ancient stones before his body crashed to the ground. Blood oozed down his neck in thick rivulets.
He picked himself up and faced Wallace. “I knew it was you.”
Jason Wallace threw off his hat and smiled. “You knew and you didna come prepared to fight? Come on, Malcolm, we both know you’re no match for me.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Malcolm saw Guy carry Evie away. The hold on his heart eased once he knew she was safe. Now, he could turn his full attention to the drough that wouldn’t die.
“You’re worse than a roach, Wallace. How can you claim to be so smart, yet no’ know when you’re no’ wanted?”
“The people doona know they need me. Yet. But they will. They will. Perhaps I’ll keep you alive long enough to see it.”
“I hear insanity runs in the family.”
Wallace merely leered. “No. I think I’ll make you watch as I turn your Druid into a killing machine.”
Rage, bright and hot, scorched through Malcolm at such a rate that he was powerless to contain it. Lightning built in his hands, waiting to be discharged.
“You’ll never get your hands on her.”
“Want to bet?” Jason asked much too confidently for Malcolm’s pleasure.
Malcolm threw both his hands forward, his palms facing Wallace as dozens of lightning bolts sailed across the distance and slammed into the drough.
Again and again Malcolm hit him with the currents, but Malcolm knew it was going to take more than that to kill Wallace. He wanted to be the one to do it, wanted to be the one to end it all. But it wouldn’t be him.
All he was doing was giving Guy and the other Kings enough time to get Evie away.
There was a loud bellow before a heavy dose of black magic came at him. Malcolm blocked most of it with his lightning, but he couldn’t stop all of it.
The heaving, sickening feel of it encircled him. It enfolded him, besieging him at every turn until even Daal was telling him to flee. But Malcolm knew his time of reckoning had come.
