by Donna Grant
Could it be because she could communicate with the trees? She told him that Gira used the trees as camouflage, which meant they needed them. Or it could be as simple as they didn’t take children.
Though, he doubted that. If the Gira were as bloodthirsty as Synne made them out to be, it wouldn’t matter what age their quarry was. They’d take whatever came their way.
“I want to know why it wanted me,” she suddenly said.
“That is certainly a question that needs an answer.”
She opened her eyes, her lashes brushing against him once more. Then she shifted her head to look at him. “At least I finally know why I’ve been so terrified of the Gira. I believed I’d never seen one before. Now, I know that isn’t true. I’ve seen several of them. And, as strange as this might sound, the one that was nearest to me that day, the one who held out her hand, didn’t seem…frightening. I was scared, and since I’d never seen such a creature, I didn’t go to it. But it could’ve taken me like my parents were taken.”
“I was just thinking about that myself. It is verra strange that they left you, but then I remembered that you can speak to trees.”
She twisted her lips. “I suppose that could be it.”
“Please tell me you are no’ thinking of finding a Gira to ask them. Can they even converse?”
“Their whispers are enough to draw people to them, so I think they can speak.”
“Did they talk to you?”
She wrinkled her nose and shrugged. “I cannot remember. Some things are so vivid, while many others aren’t.”
“Is this the first time you’ve had the nightmare since the abbey was attacked?”
Her gaze dropped. “Not exactly. I’ve had the start of the dream several times, but I was able to pull myself awake as if I subconsciously wasn’t ready to see it.”
“Maybe you were no’. Perhaps that’s why you had it tonight.”
She pulled his face down and gave him a kiss. “I’m glad you were here.”
“Me, too.”
“Was it bad?” she asked with a frown.
“I couldna wake you at first. I didna like seeing you so terrified.”
Synne closed her eyes and yawned. “I don’t like to be scared.”
Silence fell once more, and it wasn’t long before she was dozing. They had several hours before dawn, but Lachlan couldn’t find sleep again. His gaze moved to the sword that lay next to him. He was thankful that his grandmother had spelled it, but like Synne, he had many questions about his past that couldn’t be answered.
Some might say that was for the best. But Lachlan was of the mind that the more information someone had, the better off they were. He might not like all that he had learned, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be useful later on.
Inverness was two days’ ride east of their current location. Synne only knew to go north, and while there was much more land that met coastline to the east of them, he suspected that the Varroki were farther north near the Orkney Isles. That area was as remote as it got, and that was saying something since most of Scotland was isolated.
It had been years since he’d taken the journey with his uncle, but Lachlan knew he could find the way. If Synne’s only instructions were to head north, then there had to be someone, somewhere, waiting to lead her to the Varroki. At least that’s what Lachlan hoped. Otherwise, they could be searching for years to find this place.
The hours passed slowly as he went over the route in his head. The rain and snow had stopped, for the moment, anyway. When dawn finally arrived, Synne stirred and rolled onto her back to look at him. He gave her a smile, and she returned it easily. The nightmare, as horrid as it had been, had also seemed to give her answers. What he worried about now was if it would have lasting effects on her. From what he could see, that wasn’t the case.
“I’m all right,” she told him, guessing his thoughts.
He rolled toward her and covered her mouth for a slow kiss. “You let me know if that changes.”
“You looking out for me?” she asked with a grin.
“Aye. Have a problem with that?” he teased.
She shook her head. “Not in the least.”
“Good. Unfortunately, our clothes willna be dry.”
“Thank you for ruining my morning by reminding me I’ll be cold throughout the day.”
He chuckled and rose to his feet. Lachlan tested her clothes first. “They’re only slightly wet.”
“In this weather, that means they’re freezing.”
He twisted his lips. “Aye. Mine are worse than yours.”
She held out her hands. “No time like the present to get moving.”
In short order, they were clothed once more. Lachlan looked at her as she fastened her vest that clung to her body, molding to her breasts. He had thought to wake her by making love to her, but that had been before the nightmare. Perhaps tonight they’d get the chance to share their bodies once more.
“You’re leering,” she told him with a smile.
He shrugged. “You are beautiful, and I know the taste of your body. I can no’ help it if I want more.”
She walked to him and rose up on her toes for a kiss. “I’ve never met anyone who talks to me the way you do.”
“Do you no’ like it?”
“I like it very much. Please don’t stop.”
He reached out an arm and dragged her against him. “Then I never will.”
They smiled at each other and shared a quick kiss. Then they were readying the horses and gathering their items to leave.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Not at all.”
Lachlan chuckled as he grabbed the gelding’s reins and walked the horse from the cave.
“How much farther until we reach water?”
He pointed to the east. “Two days’ ride that way.” Then he pointed to the west. “A day and a half that way.” Then he pointed north. “About four days hard riding.”
Synne mounted her mare and gathered her cloak around her. “Then we better get moving.”
20
The weather held for the rest of the day, allowing Synne and Lachlan to cover a lot of ground and eat up some distance. Just as the days before, they encountered no one. Synne was beginning to prefer it that way because it was easier than having to second-guess if the person was part of the Coven or not.
After such a long journey, Synne was glad that one more day was behind her. The fact that she still had several more didn’t make her feel that great. She was exhausted from the travel and the lack of sleep from the night before. She couldn’t wait to be in Lachlan’s arms once more, but she wasn’t at all keen on having the nightmare again. Although, there was a chance that she might see more than last time. Still, watching her parents being murdered wasn’t something she wanted to relive.
She was the one who found the boulders that she pointed out to Lachlan as night approached. They checked them out and found a hidden spot that would keep them hidden from view.
When she dismounted, Lachlan approached her with a deep frown marring his forehead. He cupped her face in his hands and grunted.
Synne quirked a brow. “What was that about?”
“You’ve dark circles under your eyes.”
“That happens when I don’t sleep well.”
“We should’ve stopped sooner.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not a wilting flower. I can handle hardships.”
“Aye, but we both need to be at our best. Witches have already attacked us twice. I suspect more will be coming.”
He had a point. She’d been so wrapped up in thinking about her nightmare and wanting to get to the Varroki, that she had all but forgotten about Sybbyl and the Coven. That was dangerous. Things like that were what got people killed.
“You’re right,” she admitted.
He flashed her a smile and gave her another kiss. She was really coming to love those. He’d given them to her all during the day, for seemingly no reason. And she real
ly, really liked it.
“Would you be offended if I took your bow to hunt for food?”
She put her hand on her hip. “While I stay here and tend to the horses and start the fire?”
“If that’s a problem, you can hunt. But the snow is deep.”
She scrunched up her face.
“That’s what I thought,” Lachlan said with a laugh.
She handed him her bow and a quiver of arrows. After another kiss, he was gone.
That night, she and Lachlan took turns keeping watch. Even with their location, both realized that they had been lucky the night before. They needed to be more aware of…everything. Lachlan took the first watch, and Synne had gone immediately to sleep after filling her belly. It felt that she had just closed her eyes when he woke her.
Synne then took her turn. The hours crept by with nothing out of the ordinary until she woke Lachlan again. She got another few hours before it was her turn to keep watch until dawn. It wasn’t snowing, but the temperature had dropped so that even the little warmth from the fire disappeared before it reached her.
Lachlan and the horses seemed unfazed by the weather. Synne hated that she was so cold, but she couldn’t change that. So, she had to deal with it. She glanced over at Lachlan, who was sleeping with his arms folded over his chest as he lay on his side. The thought of sliding her body next to his for warmth had her itching to do just that.
If she had magic, she could remove his clothes and have her way with him. She smiled at her fanciful thoughts. The time they’d gotten to share had been amazing, and she knew that wouldn’t be their only time together. Right now, however, they needed to keep their focus on staying alive until they found the Varroki.
Just thinking of them had her wondering why Malene and Armir hadn’t given her better directions. It wasn’t as if she would tell the Coven where they were located. Besides, Sybbyl already knew about them.
Synne wrapped her arms around her middle beneath her cloak and shivered. She was coming to hate the cold. She had only been traveling for a couple of weeks—first from the abbey to Braith’s castle, then from there to Scotland—but it felt as if she might never reach her destination.
Snow crunching got Synne’s attention. Both horses jerked their heads up, their ears pricked toward the sound. Synne silently nocked an arrow and pointed it between the gap in the boulders while she waited to hear the noise again.
She heard it again, this time closer. Then she heard the squeak of the rabbit right before she saw the animal. She lowered her bow as relief poured through her. She briefly closed her eyes. When she opened them, a woman stood before her in a black cloak, the hood pulled up but still showing her face. Synne knew in an instant that she was a witch.
“Raise the bow, and I kill him,” the witch said and lifted her arm toward Lachlan.
Synne glanced over to see Lachlan’s sword hanging in mid-air over him with the tip hovering over his heart. Synne slid her gaze back to the witch. “What do you want?”
“You.”
“What are you waiting for?” Synne demanded. “Kill me.”
The witch raised a brown brow. “I never said anything about killing you.”
That took Synne aback. She lifted her chin. “Are you with the Coven?”
Instead of answering, the witch said, “Many are on your trail, Hunter.”
“I know. Three witches who came for us are dead.”
At this, the witch looked at Lachlan. “He’s a formidable warrior. I can see why the two of you have teamed up.”
“What do you want, if you don’t wish to kill me?” Synne asked.
The witch smiled, showing even, white teeth. “I’m not the one who wants you.”
“Sybbyl can go to Hell. You can kill me now because I’m not going anywhere near the Coven.”
“For one with such knowledge, you know very little.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what I said,” the witch replied.
Synne blew out a breath. “I’d like it if you would actually answer a question.”
“I have. I told you I’m not here to kill you, and that I’m not the one who wants you.”
“Then who does want me?”
“Someone who can help.”
Synne narrowed her gaze on the witch. “Then bring them here.”
“That would be…difficult. I’ve come a long way to find you. What needs to be said has to be done with only you.”
“I’m not going anywhere without Lachlan.”
The witch regarded her for a moment and then nodded. “Ah. I see.”
“What do you see?” Synne asked with a frown.
“Much more than you, obviously.” The witch cut her brown eyes to the bow with the arrow still nocked.
Synne slowly took the arrow out and placed it back in her quiver. “You can lower the sword now.”
“I will once you’re gone.”
“And where am I going?”
“To the one who requests your presence.”
Irritation filled Synne so that her words were laced with it when she said, “And where is that?”
The witch pointed behind her. “Follow my footsteps.”
“I’ll follow you.”
The witch shook her head. “Actually, I’ll remain here with the warrior. You’re safe, Synne. I know you won’t believe me, but it’s the truth.”
“You’re right. I don’t believe you.”
She didn’t want to go, but she also didn’t want Lachlan to die. The fact that the witch had crept up on them in such a location made Synne furious with herself. How had she let that happen? She looked at Lachlan then walked until she was even with the witch.
With her head turned to the side to look at the woman who threatened Lachlan, Synne said, “If he’s harmed in any way, I won’t rest until I hunt you down and kill you.”
“No harm will come to him. Or you,” the witch replied.
Synne didn’t believe a word the woman said. She glanced at Lachlan once more, wishing he’d wake, but the witch must be keeping him asleep. After inhaling a deep breath, Synne swung her gaze to the witch. “What is your name?”
Her brown eyes lowered to the ground briefly. “Time is running out. You must move quickly. You do want to win, don’t you?”
“Anyone who knows who I am would say that.” But Synne also couldn’t deny the sensation that time wasn’t on her side at the moment.
Without another word, she walked past the witch and quickly found the footsteps in the snow. She almost tried to climb the boulder to get a better vantage point, but she didn’t. There were no trees about to give her an idea of what to do, so she wasn’t sure what prompted her to keep walking.
The footsteps were easy to follow. They took her up the mountain and down the other side. That’s when Synne spotted a small grove of trees. The trail of footprints led her straight to them. Just before she entered, she thought about the Gira. The witch could be part of the Coven. If that was the case, then why hadn’t she just killed Synne? After all, the witch had crept up on them and taken them unawares.
Maybe the witch hadn’t killed her because it was Sybbyl who was waiting for her. Synne wouldn’t mind that. She was ready to face the leader of the Coven—even if it meant her death. Thanks to Lachlan, her anger didn’t rule her as extensively as it had before, but it was still there. She needed to control it, or it would definitely lead to her death.
But what if the witch wasn’t part of the Coven? What if it was someone else who awaited her? Like the Varroki? No, it wouldn’t be them. The Varroki would’ve taken both her and Lachlan to their city.
The moment Synne stepped into the grove, there was a shift in the air. It wasn’t filled with anger or evil, but instead…peace. She immediately felt the tension ease out of her shoulders. Synne kept her guard up because it could all be an illusion. Witches were good at those.
She reached the middle and turned in a circle, looking for whoever it might be. A red squ
irrel scampered along a tree limb, chattering before it froze when the animal spotted her. Then, with a twitch of its tail, the critter continued on its way.
There was no sound, only movement that drew her gaze to the left. Synne stared at the tree. Then, slowly, lids opened, and she found herself staring at a Gira.
21
Lachlan came awake instantly. His eyes flew open, and he instinctively knew there was an enemy near. He reached for his sword, but it wasn’t next to him. His head swiveled, and he saw the woman standing at the entrance with his blade. The tip of the weapon was in the ground as it spun around and around, but she wasn’t touching it. She wore a black cloak with the hood down, showing brown hair laced with copper that disappeared beneath the collar.
“About time you woke,” she said without looking at him.
His gaze scanned the area. “Where is Synne?”
“Otherwise occupied at the moment.”
“Witch, I’d caution you to watch your words.”
Her eyes slowly lifted to him. Brown eyes with a hint of yellow stared at him flatly. “You’re awfully confident without your weapon.”
“I doona care if you’ve magic or no’. I learned to fight with whatever was around me.”
“I know.”
That took him aback.
She exhaled loudly and grasped the sword by the hilt. “Your grandmother was a witch. Did you really think no one else knew?”
“I thought it was kept to just my family. What do you want?”
“I’m not here for you. I came because someone wished to talk to Synne.”
“Who?” he demanded, taking a threatening step toward her.
The witch wasn’t cowed. Instead, she quirked a brow. “I kept you asleep while Synne and I spoke. I even held your own weapon over you to get her to do what was needed.”
Lachlan narrowed his eyes at the woman. “Why do you tell me this?”
“Because I tried to tell Synne that no harm would come to either of you. I understand why neither you nor she can believe that, but it’s the truth. If I wanted her dead, I could’ve killed her and then you.”
