by Patty Taylor
“Quinn thought it best if we get an early start.” He glanced quickly over his shoulder. His expression softened when he looked back at her. “I’m sorry, lass. I guess I’m just worried about ye. With us being shorthanded on board, Quinn wants to stay behind and make sure the ship’s secure before he leaves. He’ll follow and catch up with us later, as soon as he’s finished givin’ Jacob orders.”
Her mind racing, she bit her lower lip and studied him. His knuckles turned white grasping his crutch. She’d never seen him like this before. Kalista fluttered her wings and nudged her cold nose in Beth’s palm.
McGregor was probably on edge and just as worried as the rest of them.
“I would have been ready if Quinn would have said something.” Beth petted Kalista. “I’ll join you as soon as I throw some clothes on.”
“I’ll wait outside the door.” McGregor turned to leave and paused, his hand grasping the latch. “I think Kalista should stay behind. She’ll be able to lead Quinn to us.”
Beth sighed, watching Kalista’s thick eyelashes blink up at her. “I guess you’re right. She’ll be good company for Quinn, since I’ll have you with me.”
McGregor nodded and hobbled outside the cabin then closed the door.
Beth hurried and slipped on a pair of pants and shoved her feet inside her shoes. She tied her hair behind her neck. Kalista chattered and fussed at her, bouncing across the bunk mattress like it was a trampoline. She hovered over Beth’s head as she headed for the door.
“No, I’m afraid you can’t come along this time, my dear wee friend. You need to stay here and wait for Quinn.” She held her hand open while Kalista fluttered down inside her palm. Beth raised her hand level with her face and kissed the dragon’s warm leathery nose. “I need you to promise that, no matter what happens to me, you’ll take good care of Quinn.”
Kalista lowered her head and whimpered. Tiny teardrops shaped like sparkling diamonds dropped inside Beth’s hand. “Darby once told me about dragon tears. He said they were magic.”
Kalista nodded. Beth hurried and wrapped the shiny shed tears inside a handkerchief. She tied the shirt securely around her waist and tucked the linen inside her shirt between the tight crevices of her breasts. “Ok, girl. Thank you. They should be plenty safe here.”
Beth glanced around the room before she stepped out of the cabin for what she feared may be the last time. Her heart racing, she swallowed and fought back the tears before blowing a kiss to the tiny dragon. She felt blessed to have made another friend. Like Darby, Kalista would always occupy a special place in Beth’s heart.
Quinn struggled to his knees on deck and winched in pain. His fingers gingerly touched the swollen knot on the side of his head. “Bloody Hell.”
The last thing he remembered before everything turned black was the familiar noise of McGregor’s crutch thudding across the deck, approaching him from behind. He grabbed the back of his neck and got to his feet.
Pink streaks raced across the sky as the sun peaked over the horizon. By now, he and Beth should have already landed on shore of the Faroe Islands. His vision blurred as he headed for his cabin and shouted for Jacob.
Jacob staggered up the stairs, holding the back of his head. “I’m afraid he must have hit me from behind when I went in to check on him, Captain.”
“McGregor.” Quinn gritted his teeth, his hand searching for his keys. He cursed beneath his breath, discovering them gone. Quinn wiggled the latch, but it wouldn’t open. With his fists hammering the cabin door, he screamed, “Beth!”
Kalista screeched from inside.
“Mo creach! I knew I should never have left her alone last night.” Quinn took a few steps back, and, shifting all his weight to one side, he rammed his shoulder against the door. It banged open. Kalista squealed and soared into his hands. “McGregor hasn’t been himself since he returned from the witch’s cavern. What in Bloody Hell is the damn old fool thinkin’?”
“It doesna appear like there was a scuffle, Captain,” Jacob replied, glancing around the cabin. “Beth is young and strong. If she felt like she were in danger, she could’ve easily overpowered McGregor.”
“Aye, but knowin’ her, she wouldna want to hurt him. They’ve grown very fond of each other.” He petted Kalista and lifted her to his shoulder. He picked the shawl McGregor gave Beth from the back of the chair. Her lavender scent filled the room. “I’m sure Kalista would have protected Beth if he’d tried anything. I have to agree with ye, Jacob. She must have gone with him of her own free will.”
“Do ye want me to gather a few of the men and go ashore with ye, Captain?” Jacob stooped to the floor and handed something sparkly to him.
Kalista whimpered. Quinn recognized the diamond teardrop. His heart hammered against his chest. I pray Beth realizes Kalista only sheds tears for those in trouble.
“No, I need all of ye to stay here. I’ll send Kalista back for you if I need help.” He tucked the frozen teardrop inside his shirt pocket. “I dinna think McGregor will harm Beth. She reminds him too much of his own daughter.”
Quinn raced up the stairs with a screeching Kalista circling above his head. There was no time to lose. Quinn shifted into the black wolf and lunged over the ship’s rail, diving headfirst into the icy ocean. With McGregor’s recent state of mind, there was no tellin’ what the old fool would do.
Chapter 21
Mother Nature’s meticulous brushstrokes streaked rainbow hues across the sky in welcome of the new day. Beth wrapped her arms around herself and wondered if she would still enjoy these beautiful marvels once she changed into a Maras werewolf.
McGregor cautiously maneuvered the tapered boat between two drifting icebergs. A pair of seals sat perched on top of the tallest one. Curious, they slid down the icy formation and swam zealously toward their intruders. Like heavy barrels, the seals rolled their bodies in the water and barked. Their excitement mounting, they bobbed their heads over the side of the boat, their glassy black eyes studying Beth.
Their good-natured enthusiasm was infectious. Beth leaned over and petted their silky smooth heads.
She could see why Quinn wanted to stay behind to make sure the ship was kept at a safe distance from barging into the massive floating ice sculptures.
“Hold on, lass.” McGregor stopped rowing and stared into the water. “Don’t move.”
An enormous dark form expanded in the water at the rear of the boat. Like a gushing fountain, water spouted from a wide gap, showering their faces and clothes as a whale thrust its mammoth head through the water.
His blue eye studied them, his gaze moving along the length of the boat and returning to meet Beth’s stare. She gripped the edge of her seat, and a surge of compassion overwhelmed her as their eyes locked. The beautiful creature seemed to be trying to communicate with her. Music like she’d never heard echoed through the sky as the whale sang to her.
McGregor grabbed the oars and continued to row, keeping close watch on the whale and drifting icebergs. The seals swam ahead of them, leading the way toward land.
Beth waited until the whale swam off, and her attention focused on the dense fog rolling over the massive mountains in the distance. Rocky structures jutted from beneath the ocean. Waterfalls swept over jagged cliffs as waves crashed ashore the blackened sands of the volcanic beach.
The seals barked, swimming to shore. Pale gulls swooped down from their nests, sheltered on high ledges and shrieking overhead.
McGregor rose and used his crutch for support to steady himself getting out of the boat. He gripped the side and waited for Beth to get out. She helped him drag it safely to shore so the waves wouldn’t drag it back in the water.
“Are we waiting here for Quinn and Kalista?” she asked, petting the head of a seal and gazing at the majestic surroundings.
“No,” McGregor grumbled be
neath his breath. “They’ll catch up with us soon. Hurry now. Follow me. We’ll head this way.”
Beth took notice of the lack of trees and forests as they headed up the beach toward the waterfall and made their way up the side of a steep ridge. McGregor finally stopped when they reached a narrow ravine overlooking the shore.
Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead as McGregor glanced nervously over his shoulder several times. He quickened his pace, his bad leg dragging behind him. Beth grabbed for his arm when he stumbled over some rocks and tumbled to the ground. His crutch fell out of his reach.
“Ye mustn’t touch me,” he grumbled, pulling his arm from her grasp. “I don’t deserve yer help.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to help you? You’re a goodhearted man and have shown me nothing but kindness. Whether you like it or not, I’m going to take a look at that leg.” Beth knelt to the ground, her hands trembling. Puffy white clouds floated over their heads. The blood raged through her veins. There would be a full moon tomorrow. She grabbed the side of his pants and ripped them open. “Now hold still.”
She gasped and squirmed back from him. He bore the same mark she had on her arm. The bite was still fresh and hadn’t healed. She shook her head in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me? Does Quinn know about this?”
“No one knows.” He looked away from her, staring at a striking herd of deer grazing nearby. A buck raised his head, keeping guard.
Beth took a deep breath, rubbing her hand up and down her arm. “It was your idea to bring me here by yourself, wasn’t it? You act as if you’re afraid Quinn will catch up to us. That’s the reason you keep looking back, isn’t it?”
His nostrils flared, and he arched his back in defiance. “Ye don’t understand. He’ll try to stop us from turnin’ into creatures of the night.”
More surprised than frightened, her head shot up, and she stared at him. “You can’t mean that.”
He cocked his head to the side and grabbed her wrist, squeezing it. He lowered his voice, just barely above a whisper. “Can ye not see, lass? I’ll be able to protect ye now. It was destiny that we’re both cursed. I lost one daughter—I willna lose another.”
“McGregor.” She covered his hand, grasping his wrist. “You have to listen to me. We both have to stay strong and fight this thing. You know Quinn would never hurt you. He’s been like a son to you.”
McGregor’s eyes filled with tears. The lines on his face softened. He lowered his head to his hands.
“The nightmares keep getting worse.” Beth said, laying her hand on his shoulder, her own body growing flushed and feverish. “Every night I dream I’ve been dropped inside a pit of snakes and they keep biting me, their fangs pumping venomous poison in my veins, and there’s no anecdote to cure me. As the time slips away, I can feel the evil venom consuming my heart. I’m petrified, McGregor. But we can’t give up. We must wait for Quinn and Kalista.”
McGregor raised his head, his mouth twisted. He motioned to his crutch and pointed to a fallen tree. He stared at her, and a red flicker flashed in his eyes. “Get my crutch for me, lass, and we’ll wait for them over there.”
The anguish in McGregor’s eyes ripped at her chest. Her heart hammered. She prayed to her Goddess. Please Quinn, hurry.
Beth leaned over and grabbed the middle wrung of his crutch. She stood and held it in front of him until he got to his feet. He wrapped his arm around her waist and flung the wooden support over the steep embankment. Beth’s fingers dug into his arm. “You’ve gone mad. What are you doing?”
“Making sure ye willna leave me.” He pushed her hair away from the back of her neck. His hot breath brushing close to her skin sent chills down her spine. “I’ve only ever seen these marks on two others. I knew when I first saw it, ’twas a sign from the Gods. My Maggie bore the sign of the witch, and my Maureen the sign of the wolf. Only a verra special witch can bear both symbols at once.”
Beth struggled, wiggling against his grip. “Please, McGregor, let me go. I don’t want to hurt you.”
His arm tightened around her ribs, cutting off her breath.
McGregor snickered. “Ye don’t frighten me, lass. Ye canna hurt me, even if ye wanted to.”
“You . . . leave . . . me . . . no . . . choice,” she sputtered. Her limbs trembling, she raised her hands and raked her sharp fingernails across his face.
McGregor screamed and released his grip on her. His hands went flying to the bloody scratches.
Beth bolted to the fallen tree, making a barrier between them. She glanced down the steep embankment and saw his crutch bobbing up and down, carried away by the sea.
“I’m sorry, McGregor. You didn’t leave me much choice. Just stay where you are. Quinn and Kalista should be here soon.”
McGregor slumped over. His arms hanging by his sides, he raked his fingers through the dirt and groaned in pain.
“By the Goddess, I just can’t stay here and watch him like this.” Beth took a deep breath, the crusty bark crumbling beneath her fingers. She sprinted back over the enormous trunk and raced to his side, grabbing his arm. “You need help.”
McGregor raised his head, his eyes beaming bright red, and shoved her to the ground. He straddled his legs over her stomach, pushing her arms behind her head. He threw his head back and howled. Razor-sharp fangs sprouted from his mouth.
A black cloud rolled overhead. A strong gust of wind whipped across Beth’s face, blowing pieces of dirt in her eyes. She blinked several times, her eyes tearing, trying to wash away the scratching debris. “McGregor, please! We’re both running out of time. You must let Quinn help us.”
Something brushed against her ear, like a feather tickling her face. She pushed her head to one side. Like a soothing lullaby, a soft voice whispered, “Dragon tears.”
The evil flushing through her body was gaining strength, making it harder for her to resist its powerful hold.
McGregor had already lost control. The whites of his eyes turned completely red. Drool slipped from his fangs, reminding her of young Finley.
Before the last of her own sanity slipped away, she needed to figure out some way to get McGregor to loosen his grip on her arms. If she could only grab the dragon-tear diamonds tucked inside her shirt, she still might stand a chance. She pleaded with him. “McGregor, look at me. Maureen’s shawl.”
By the Goddess. She’d caught his attention. He closed his eyes and shook his head. His weight shifted to his gimpy leg.
“Remember. You gave me your daughter’s beautiful embroidered shawl. I left it behind on the Sea Wolf. Without that shawl, I can’t go anywhere with you.” The veins in her neck, arms, and legs were starting to expand. A sharp searing pain raced across her forehead. She bit her lower lip, drawing blood that dribbled down her chin.
McGregor raised his head at the scent of the sticky red substance and his nose wrinkled, sniffing the air. His attention focused on her face, the normal hazel-brown of his eyes stared back at her. “Forgive me, lass. What have I done to ye?”
He slid off her.
Beth rolled away from him and jumped to her feet. She grabbed the handkerchief tucked inside her shirt and opened the linen, holding the crystalized tears in her palm. They sparkled and rolled inside her hand before leaping in the air and bursting into colorful flames like miniature fireworks exploding.
A loud squeal sounded close by.
“Kalista. Thank the Goddess, they’re here,” Beth whispered, her fingers covering her lips.
“Beth!” Quinn’s voice roared like thunder as he raced up behind them and grabbed McGregor by the back of his shirt, lifting him off the ground. He threw his other arm back and made a fist, ready to strike the old man.
Before Beth could grab Quinn’s arm, his face paled, and he carried McGregor over to the fallen tree to set him down. “Why? What in Bloody Hell
has come over ye, man? What were ye thinkin’?”
McGregor’s eyes blazed at Quinn.
Beth raced beside Quinn. “McGregor must have been attacked at the cave. His leg was bit, and he’s been hiding it. The Maras’ clutch is growing stronger. We’re running out of time.”
Beth staggered, her knees buckling from under her before she passed out. Quinn scooped her up in his arms before she hit the ground. “I’ll have to try to carry both of ye.”
“I’m sorry, lad. Ye should know, I would never hurt either one of ye on purpose. The hackit demon’s poison must be spreading through me bloodstream.” McGregor raked his fingers through his hair. His weary lined face flushed as tears filled the old man’s eyes. “Here, give her to me. The lass can lay in me lap while ye carry the both of us.”
Quinn frowned, gripping Beth’s unconscious body closer to his chest. Something nagged at his gut that McGregor still couldn’t be trusted. He hesitated, considering what other choice he had. The man had been his best friend for many years now. Against his better judgement, he lowered Beth in McGregor’s lap.
The old seaman clutched Beth to his chest, leapt to his feet and sprinted to the far end of the tree, hanging over the steep ledge of the cliff.
Quinn sprung on top of the dead trunk, ready to pounce.
“Stay back, Quinn.” McGregor leaned to one side, glancing below at the clusters of barnacled rocks clumped with seaweed.
“McGregor, please. I’m beggin’ ye, put her down before either of ye fall.” Quinn’s jaw tightened. The trunk rocked beneath his feet.
He tried keeping his voice calm. “Please, let me help ye. Ye’re sick and dinna know what ye’re doin’. ’Tis the fever makin’ ye act foolish. Ye know ye dinna want to hurt Beth.”
