Walking Through Fire

by C. J. Bahr

  Laurel heard the bitterness in his voice, and her heart swelled. She covered his hand with hers and gave him a squeeze.

  “I’m sorry. It must have been hard for you to be estranged from him and never have the chance to reconcile.”

  His hand tensed, fingers gripping the denim of her jeans.

  “Aye. The only link with my da I had was the damn signet ring. I hated the blasted sapphire symbol. He’d always brandished it in my face when I was a lad. It stood for everything I wasn’t—the dutiful son, heir to an Earldom.”

  “I’m sure it wasn’t that. It’s always hard when you’re young. Reading so much into things that aren’t real.” She raised his hand up to her lips and gave him a quick kiss before giving it a pat and placing his palm down upon her thigh. “Do you still have the ring? Can I see it?”

  “Nay. It’s lost. I wasn’t wearing it the day I was murdered. I’ve searched for it since, but never found it. Never thought I’d miss the stupid thing.”

  “I’m sorry. That’s awful. Your one tie to your father.”

  “Aye, well, nothing I can do now, except protect my family’s honor. I’ll get the Orb to safety.”

  He fell silent. She could tell he was brooding behind her. It was time for a distraction.

  “Oh, I almost forgot. What are your clan’s mottos? You know, the Latin and Gaelic ones?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Just an itch. Go on.”

  She felt him sigh then he lifted his arm, his hand raised before her. He closed his fingers and formed a fist.

  “Manu forte, ‘With A Strong Hand’. And our Gaelic,” his voice broke softly. She heard him take a deep breath. “Our Gaelic… bi tren… be true, be valiant.”

  Laurel spun in his arms and faced Simon. “What? What did you say?”

  “Bi Tren. It roughly translates as ‘be true’.”

  Holy shit, she thought. It couldn’t be. “How’s it spelt?”

  “B-i, second word, T-r-e-n. Why?” He asked.

  She shook her head. “What did your ring look like? The MacKay’s signet ring?” She tried to suppress her growing excitement.

  Simon tensed behind her. “You’re full of questions today.”

  “I know, humor me. What did the ring look like?”

  “A deep blue sapphire set on a gold band,” he described. “Our clan’s motto was etched inside, ‘bi tren’.”

  A grin broke across her face. Was it really that simple? The family ring Simon’s father always flaunted in front of his son was actually the key to the Orb’s chamber. His description of the keyhole fit the rings dimensions. She knew what the key was. She’d even held it and knew where it was! Alex’s ring was the key, he had the MacKay’s signet ring. How many sapphire rings with bi tren etched inside could there be?

  “Something I should know?” Simon’s question broke through her jubilant thoughts.

  This was so cool. She knew not only where Simon’s lost ring was, which would make him feel closer to his father, but it was even, more importantly, the missing key. His suffering was at an end! She so wanted to surprise him with this gift. She wanted to hand it to him personally.

  “Nope,” she replied. “Just a small piece of the puzzle may have snapped into place. I’m not sharing until I have more proof.”

  Like the ring in her hands. She made a mental note to corral Beth to do a little treasure hunting. “I don’t want to get your hopes up. Give me a little more time.”

  She couldn’t wait. It’d be an amazing bombshell. Just like Simon entering her life. Dear God, what would she do when he was gone? The smile slipped from her face.

  “Mo aingeal, what is it?” He brushed her hair behind her ears. “One moment aglow and now so serious? What’s dancing around in that clever head of yours?”

  “I should never play poker, huh? Face. Open book.”

  “Probably not. Talk to me,” he cajoled.

  “Well… It’s… I don’t know where to begin.” She was lost. How could she explain what he’d come to mean to her, yet there was no hope for their relationship? He was a ghost. He’d pass on, go into the light, whatever, but there’d be no happily-ever-after for them and that broke her heart. But she couldn’t not say it, she wanted him to know.

  She swallowed hard, remembering the last time she’d said these next words. How exposed and hurt she had become later, because of Derek. And also how these next words would lead nowhere. But Simon had branded her, burnt her deep into her soul. She’d never regret giving him these three little words that held such power. “I …I love you. Crazy, huh?”

  Simon stared at her for a moment before bestowing her the most tender kiss of her life.

  “Aingeal, my angel. You have no idea,” he trailed off. His silver gaze pierced her straight to the heart. “If there was a raging inferno separating us, I’d gladly walk through fire to be at your side. I love you too, mo aingeal.”

  He gathered her close in his arms and she lost herself in his deep kiss.

  ****

  Alex took a step back and tore his gaze from the lovers’ embrace. He had been right to follow Laurel. He hadn’t heard a word they spoke from where he hid, but that wasn’t what was most important. Simon MacKay. There was no mistaking him. Alex would never have believed it if he hadn’t witnessed it with his own eyes. MacKay had materialized out of thin air next to the barn. He would have the man as a look-a-like descendent if it hadn’t been for his appearing act.

  By all the Saints and the Holy Mary, mother of God. Shite! There were ghosts and Simon MacKay was very real and one of them. And he was conspiring with his American, that deceitful bitch. It was jolting and yet, it explained so much. Had MacKay been hindering the MacKenzie’s all these years? Was that why he couldn’t find the Orb? Ghosts. How much could they do? MacKay looked so solid sitting there with Laurel in his arms. He needed to think.

  He stumbled past the stable, toward his car, unconsciously shaking his head the entire time.

  He had phone calls to make. There was always a solution. There were ways to rid yourself of unwanted spirits and there were definitely ways to deal with conniving, duplicitous women as well.

  Chapter Forty

  “I can’t believe we’re doing this! It’s so exciting! So cloak and dagger-ish,” Beth exclaimed.

  “Hush,” Laurel admonished. “We don’t know if Alex is out of town or not.”

  She reached the door and rang the bell to Sinclair House, waiting to see if he answered.

  “But I thought you said he’d be gone?”

  “I said, Alex thought he might be gone. There is a difference.” She rang the bell again, still no answer. “I think it’s safe. Let’s look for the key. He said he’d leave one.”

  She and Beth didn’t have to search long. It was in the first place they looked—under the doormat.

  “Well, here we go,” Laurel whispered as she unlocked the door.

  “How do we know the ring’s even here? I’ve seen Alex wearing it,” Beth asked as they slipped inside and shut the door behind them.

  She dragged her friend toward the front parlor where Alex and she had their impromptu research center.

  “He wasn’t wearing it yesterday and it was sitting on the mantel in the same place he had put it after it snagged in my hair a week ago.”

  “Oh good, then this should be easy,” Beth replied as she followed closely behind. “Though it’s hard to believe he’d leave an heirloom sapphire just laying about. I mean, it is valuable.” She continued to babble. “How cool is this? We’re treasure swiping from a treasure hunter. I can’t believe Simon never noticed Alex wearing it. And wait until we give the ring back to Simon. He’s gonna be speechless. And when he finds out it’s the missing key, double rainbows all the way! Oh, and can you imagine what Alex will do if he ever finds out he had the key all along—oof!”

  Beth slammed into her, since she suddenly stopped.

  “Shit.”

  “What? A little warning about the stoppage
next time, friend.”

  “The ring, it’s not here.”

  “So much for simple.”

  “Damn.”

  “Maybe he’s wearing it?” Beth suggested.

  “Let’s hope not. We need to search the house,” Laurel looked around. “Crap, the place is huge. We’ve got to think about this logically.” She closed her eyes and willed herself to think like Alex. “If he’s not wearing it, where would you keep your jewelry?”

  “Either a safe or my bedroom. That’s what I’d do,” Beth replied.

  “Good, we’ll try his bedroom. I don’t even want to think about locating a hidden safe. Any idea where it might be? His bedroom, that is.”

  “Of course. I had a tour of Sinclair House eons ago. He never took you to his bedroom? Some seducer he is… Yeah, right, probably a good thing. Follow me.”

  Laurel did—up the grand stairs, down the hall to its end. Beth paused at the open door on her right.

  “Here you go. Now what?”

  “Get searching. We split up.”

  “Aye, aye, mon Capitán!”

  Laurel went straight to the dressing table next to the mahogany wardrobe while Beth went to the nightstand next to the bed.

  “Wow! Black Code by Armani. No wonder he smells so good. I wonder if he’s a boxer or briefs guy? Oh, maybe commando!”

  “Beth, focus,” she called across the room. “We don’t know how much time we have.”

  “Sorry.”

  She ignored Beth’s contrite reply as she pushed the clutter on the dresser around continuing her search.

  Beth let out a startled shriek just as something sparkly blue caught her attention. She reached out blindly, snatched and slipped it into her jean’s pocket when MacKenzie spoke.

  “And just what are you lasses doing here?”

  Shit. Hopefully he hadn’t seen her snag the ring. She turned and faced Alex, who was casually leaning against the doorframe with an arm behind his back.

  Laurel shot a quick glance to Beth, willing her to keep her mouth shut. For once, it appeared Beth was speechless, thank God.

  “Um, Beth dropped by while I was researching,” Laurel lied. “We got to talking about the house and when she found out I hadn’t toured the place, she offered to show me around.”

  She noticed the relief on her friend’s face at the plausible explanation. Beth nodded in agreement, but remained silent.

  Alex let out a low chuckle. “Is that the reason you’re pawing through my personal belongings? Don’t get me wrong. I’ve always wanted you in my bedroom and with a friend, I’m open for doubles,” he glanced to Beth. “It’s boxers by the way,” he replied proving he had been there long enough to eavesdrop. Alex locked his blue gaze back to Laurel. “However, you seem to be on a mission. What are you searching for?”

  “Nothing. Honest.” Laurel held up two fingers in the Boy Scouts’ pledge, and then dropped her hand. “Chalk it up to curiosity. I wanted to find out more about you. So I was snooping. I’m sorry and truthfully, quite embarrassed. I apologize.”

  Again, Alex gave a throaty laugh. “You’re a horrible liar, Lori. Now, I’ll ask again, what are you looking for?”

  She kept her mouth shut.

  Alex tsked. “I warn you, I’ll only ask so many times. I’m not stupid. I know you figured something out yesterday. Where’s the treasure, lass?”

  “The gold? Surely you don’t think I was going to find it in your bedroom. After all, I would have thought you’d have noticed a horde of Jacobite gold lying about, you being a treasure hunter and all.”

  He shook his head. “You and I both know it’s not gold,” anger leaked into his voice.

  “I—”

  “No!” He interrupted. “One and only one more time. What are you searching for?”

  A chill chased down her spine, and she shot a worried glance at Beth, who stood mute, eyes wide, terrified.

  “Alex,” she attempted to diffuse the situation. “It’s nothing, really.”

  “Wrong answer.”

  MacKenzie’s hand came from behind his back. He held a sleek matte-black gun complete with silencer, pointed into the room. He straightened his stance, and an evil smile curled up his lips.

  “You’ll learn I mean what I say.”

  “Alex, no!” Laurel pleaded.

  A muffled pop filled the sickening silence as Alex fired off the gun.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Laurel’s scream reverberated through the room. Beth’s eyes widened, and her face paled in surprise. A bloodstain quickly appeared and soaked through the lavender cotton of Beth’s shirt.

  “Beth!”

  She bolted across the room just as Beth’s knees gave out, and she collapsed to the floor. Laurel dropped to the ground and cradled her friend.

  “Beth, Oh God, Beth. Hang in there. I’ll get help.”

  Beth couldn’t reply. Her breaths came in short, sharp gasps.

  “No, Beth, please.” She pressed her hand to her friend’s chest and tried to staunch the flow, but the blood continued to ooze out from under her palm no matter how hard she applied pressure.

  This can’t be happening. Please God, it can’t be. Her hand was enveloped in blood and she heard herself groan.

  Beth gasped a final time, and Laurel stared into her best friend’s sightless eyes. How could a life be taken so quickly? Reality wouldn’t sink in. She studied the blood covering her hands and her friend, before dragging her gaze back to the empty blue eyes staring back at her.

  “Beth!”

  She collapsed over Beth as sobs wrenched out of her. Beth was gone.

  A vise grip encased her upper arm, and she was jerked away from her best friend.

  “NO,” she screamed. “Leave me alone.” She struggled, but wasn’t strong enough.

  “Get up,” Alex ordered, jerking her to her feet. “We haven’t time for this nonsense.” He wrenched her arm behind her back and placed the silenced barrel of the gun against her head.

  His breath was a hot whisper next to her ear. “You’re coming with me. One wrong move and I won’t kill you, but you’ll wish I had.”

  Another jerk on her arm caused a hiss to escape Laurel’s lips, and Alex pushed Laurel forward as tears continued to stream down her face. Beth was dead! She struggled to get control of herself, trying to push aside her grief for later. She needed to deal with MacKenzie.

  Alex oblivious to her emotional struggle guided her back down the hall and stairs, and into the parlor.

  They arrived in time to see two men rolling the oriental carpet back into place. Before it settled, she caught a glimpse of a strange marking on the floor. It looked like a large circle with a pentagram in the middle.

  Numb with shock, her mind didn’t even wonder why there was a pagan symbol on the floor.

  Alex dragged her across the room and dumped her into the chair where she once sipped tea. She tried to will herself to move, but before her muscles responded, Alex shoved her against the chair’s back and started to restrain her, with duct tape no less. Soon she was securely taped and even if she wanted to, she couldn’t move.

  “Why… Why Alex? You didn’t have to kill her.”

  MacKenzie held up a finger, silencing her. He turned his attention to the two men in the room.

  “All’s set, sir,” the taller of the two replied.

  “Great. Let’s see if you earn your money today. I’m putting a great deal of faith in you.”

  “Not to worry, Mr. MacKenzie. We’ll get it done.” Though shorter than his partner whom he exchanged glances with, this guy was much broader and way more muscled.

  “Very well, now make yourselves scarce. It shouldn’t be much longer.”

  The men nodded and going in separate directions, hid themselves within the room. The tall one slipped behind the long damask curtains and the other behind an open door.

  Alex turned back to her.

  “Where was I? Oh yes, you wanted to know why I killed Beth. Well,” Alex stepped to
the chair and braced his hands on her arms, pressing them into the hard walnut of the chair and leaned in so he was close enough to kiss her.

  “First,” his voice was a low, caressing whisper. “I always do what I say. You were warned after all. Second, she was expendable. I couldn’t kill you, at least not yet. And third, I wanted to hurt you where it would count the most. I saw you. At the stable…with your lover. Or should I say, ghostly lover? You would choose him over me?” Alex snarled.

  He straightened, and his hand reached toward her face. She flinched and pulled away, but there was no place for her to go as her head hit the back of the chair. He chuckled and then tucked her hair behind both ears—a gesture Simon was fond of doing. She felt tears fill her eyes. She wouldn’t cry, not again, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Laurel swallowed, hard.

  “So now, you understand I’m serious and when I ask a question, you’ll know to answer. Truthfully.”

  His finger feathered down her cheek causing her to cringe again, which made him smile.

  “But before I start interrogating, you have another role to play.”

  Though her mouth went dry with fear, she managed to find her voice. “What’s that? You won’t kill me. You said so yourself. You need me. There’s no one left you can threaten me with. So why don’t you stop playing games? I won’t tell you anything.”

  Alex shook his head. “Oh, you’re wrong. You’ll learn. But first, you’re bait.”

  “Bait?” She choked out. Chills ran through her body, causing her to shiver. He couldn’t hurt Simon, could he? Simon was already dead. There wasn’t anything Alex could do him.

  “See? I hold all the cards, Lori.”

  “No… No, you’re wrong. There’s nothing you can do to hurt him. He’s dead. You can’t harm him.”

  “Are you so sure?” When Alex chuckled, her worst fears were realized.

  Her mind raced back to the circle painted on the floor beneath the carpet. Her blood turned to ice.

  “There’s always a solution, love,” Alex smiled. “That’s why I’m so successful. I never give up. MacKay will truly be dead and gone when I’m through.” He yanked a final strip of duct tape and pressed it against her mouth, sealing it close. “No sense in you spoiling all the fun with a warning.” He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Now be a good lass and enjoy the show. You’ll have my full attention again, soon.”