The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4)

by Purington, Sky

  “Ah, here it comes,” she whispered. “Death.”

  Some might find her words daunting but not Conall who knew she would spear a fish moments later. He sighed and eyed her as she stared at it hanging off her blade. Like every time she had killed something since Fraser’s death, there was a bored, dull look in her eyes. As if she felt her prey was where it would ultimately end up anyway. Death spared no creature, human and animal alike.

  “Ye love her already then, aye?” Rona whispered, staring at the fish. “Ye’d risk such?”

  Conall knew she was talking about Lindsay.

  “Och, nay,” he muttered. “She but needs protecting because she is foolish and doesnae ken the true dangers here.”

  “Here or there,” she said softly, her eyes never leaving the dead fish. “Our time or this time or the time that ye kissed her.” She shook her head and snorted. “Och, wait, ‘twas two different eras ye’ve kissed her in, was it not?”

  “They will want more to eat than that,” he said as he stood, not in the mood to explain himself after what he had just witnessed at his castle. The possible future on the horizon. “Come, Rona, let us hunt.”

  “Dinnae patronize me, Cousin,” she muttered as she stood, ripped the fish off the dagger and tossed it his way. “If ye think my mind’s not quite right, just say so.”

  He had stopped saying so a long time ago.

  Conall caught the fish and tossed it onto a rock. They would pick it up on the way back if a scavenger did not get it. Right now, Rona needed a bigger kill. Something to help release her anger. More than that, her negative magic. A magic that some already suspected resembled that of a warlock’s.

  So he ran alongside her until she did what no other human could and caught the scent of her prey minutes ahead of time. Usually, they would slow and enjoy the hunt but not this time. He let her take the lead as she raced forward, whipped her dagger and downed a buck before its instincts ever sensed them coming. It was not a fair fight by any means, but this had been Rona’s way since the day Fraser was sliced open in front of them. One way or another, every single moment since then had been payback.

  Unfortunately, that meant dealing a blow that left her prey suffering.

  Conall closed the distance quickly and ended the animal’s torment. Though tempted as always to chastise her for her cruel behavior, he knew it would fall on deaf ears. They’d had this conversation many times before, but it did no good. Rona had and would continue to take out her grief on innocent creatures. Animals were for food and clothing, not an outlet for suffering to match her own. Yet he understood her grief, therefore, continued to defend her to the rest of their kin.

  He hoisted the buck over his shoulder and headed back. Like always, Rona was caught up in an adrenaline rush combined with remorse. And, as she did every time, she whispered the same hoarse words as she strode after him.

  “I am sorry.”

  It was always hard to know if she meant it. Right now he had other things to worry about as should Rona. Most specifically, what lay behind and ahead. What had happened at Hamilton Castle and how what they did now might affect that.

  They were just around the bend from the encampment when a loud wail resounded through the forest.

  It was Lindsay...screaming as though she was just driven through with a sword once again.

  Chapter Five

  “LINDS, CAN YOU HEAR me?” came Milly’s faraway voice. “Can you see me?”

  “Milly?” Lindsay whispered after her scream died off. For a second, she swore she gazed through the woods at Rona before the Scotswoman whipped a blade at her. It had seemed so real.

  She clutched her chest just above her heart at what felt like lingering pain and gasped as she sat up. “What happened?” She blinked rapidly, trying to acclimate. The forest had been replaced with a dimly lit tent, and a person sat nearby in the shadows. “Is that you, Milly?”

  “Hey, sweetie.” Milly’s face became clearer, her eyes concerned. “How are you feeling?”

  “Where...what...” she started to say before Milly squeezed her hand, shook her head, and explained everything.

  They had traveled back in time. The battle at Hamilton Castle had yet to happen. There was no way to know if the little girl had lived or died.

  “And Conall?” she nearly whispered but didn’t mostly because there was no need. He had done what was expected of him and carried her here. Then he left her to Aðísla. That made sense. She knew better than to have expected him to be by her side when she woke. That might mean he cared.

  “Conall is off hunting with Rona,” Milly said, eying Lindsay. “In case you were curious.”

  “I was not,” Lindsay assured and smoothed her hair back as she sat up, pretending to worry about her appearance when it was the last thing on her mind. “How are you? Adlin?” She met Milly’s eyes and plastered on her warmest smile though she suspected it wobbled. “Are you totally in love or what?”

  “Totally,” Milly assured, smiling. “He’s...”

  When she didn’t finish her sentence, Lindsay did so for her. “Everything you had no idea you wanted, now couldn’t imagine living without. Right?”

  Milly’s smile grew soft and her eyes dewy as she nodded. No words were needed.

  “I’m happy for you.” Lindsay squeezed her hand. “More than you know, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you.” Milly cocked her head, her eyes still locked with Lindsay’s. “So how about that kiss?”

  She knew exactly what kiss Milly referred to.

  Lindsay merely shrugged, not about to make a big deal out of it.

  “Oh, really?” Milly’s eyes widened with humor. “So no sharing yet, huh?” She winked, baiting Lindsay. “Because rumor has it that kiss was so much more for Conall.”

  She highly doubted that. He might have enjoyed kissing her, but she already knew him well enough to know he would never admit it.

  Again, she only offered a dainty shrug.

  “You’re not gonna tell me a thing are you?” Milly appeared totally enthralled as she leaned forward, her sky blue eyes merry. “By the way, you overacted during the kiss I saw.” She shook her head, grinning. “I can’t speak for the second one.”

  “I did overact,” Lindsay agreed then fibbed. “Can you really blame me? As you can imagine, the English had me somewhat nervous.”

  Milly snorted and chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, sure they did.” One brow rose slowly. “Because it certainly couldn’t have been that you were so wowed by Conall’s kiss that you forgot how to act altogether.”

  Lindsay narrowed her eyes as she swung her legs over the side of the cot. “Definitely not. As you saw, my acting skills are flawless no matter the circumstances.”

  “Typically I would agree.” Milly’s amusement didn’t fade in the least. “So imagine my surprise when I saw otherwise.”

  She knew Milly was just trying to glean more information, so she kept quiet and focused on acclimating to sitting up then hopefully standing.

  “I’m not so sure you should stand quite yet,” Milly said as Aðísla entered.

  Not one to back down from a challenge, Lindsay brushed off the comment. Yet when she placed her hand on the edge of the cot to stand, she noticed her ring and hesitated.

  “Dear Lord, it’s gray now.” She frowned and looked at Milly, not sure she wanted to hear the answer. “Does it match anyone’s eye color?”

  “It does not,” Aðísla said. “Anyone’s, that is, except your own.”

  “My own?” she replied, surprised. “What does that mean?”

  “We don’t know yet.” Milly shook her head. “But we’ll figure it out, Linds.”

  “Like you figured out whose eyes your ring matched at first?”

  “At first,” Milly reminded. “But not ultimately.”

  Lindsay sighed and nodded. There was no point getting stressed over this. She knew the gems in these rings could be fickle. Besides, even if the gem did glow, she had no intention of being with any man,
period.

  “Let me look at you, Lindsay,” Aðísla said as she crouched in front of her. “Both your mind and body went through something very traumatic.”

  Right, she had been on the verge of death, hadn’t she? Yet now there was no wound. Though she should be both grateful and alarmed, she felt oddly unaffected. As though it made perfect sense. A fact, she realized as Milly eyed her with concern and perhaps confusion, that must have many wondering what happened.

  The Viking looked her over then placed a thumb to the center of her forehead, explaining that she was accessing her third eye. Within seconds she narrowed her eyes, pulled her thumb away and whispered, “You’re completely closed off to me now.”

  That told Lindsay at some point she had not been. Instead of lashing out at Aðísla for invading her privacy, she kept a serene expression on her face. There was no need to let them see her real emotions. Best that she kept those to herself.

  “It is okay,” Aðísla confirmed as her eyes met Milly’s. “She is fully healed and should have no issue standing.”

  Lindsay could have told her that as she kept a pleasant smile on her face and stood. Though the world swayed ever-so-slightly, everything straightened out fast enough. “I’m fine.” She glanced at them both in reassurance when they tried to help her. “Truly, I am.”

  Though she still wore the same dress, her shoes had been replaced with boots. Aðísla put a fur around her shoulders as Milly held the tent flap open and said, “Let’s go see what the guys are up to. I suspect they’re hatching plans with William.”

  Curious, Lindsay glanced at Milly. “It must have been odd for him seeing you again after seven years.”

  William had been very attracted to Milly and would have gladly been with her had she not been meant for Adlin.

  “It was certainly strange,” Milly said softly but didn’t elaborate as they exited.

  She was not surprised to see the same four men that had been at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Conall and his three cousins. The only ones missing from their last adventure were Grant, Blair, and Jim. As far as she knew, Blair and Jim were still in the future. Though surprised to see Rona here as well she made no mention of it as she joined everyone.

  Graham and Bryce were immediately on either side of her. Graham urged her to sit in front of a small fire while Bryce handed her a stick with meat on it. Adlin offered her a skin of whisky with a wide smile. “’Tis verra good to see you up and about, lass.”

  All agreed.

  “It’s good to be up.” She smiled warmly at them. “Thank you.”

  His expression as stoic as ever, Conall’s eyes flickered over her before settling on the fire again. Yet she saw the tension in his body. The tightness in his broad shoulders. More than that, she remembered how concerned he had been when he knelt over her on the floor of his castle. The stark fear she never would have expected.

  “As soon as you’ve had a bite to eat, Lindsay,” William said as he joined them. “We will move to the caves.”

  Her eyes met his, and she nodded. “Of course. Good to see you again, William.”

  Though it had only been a few days, it felt like eons since she had agreed to be his spy.

  “Aye, lass,” William said. “’Tis bloody good to see ye as well. How are ye feeling?”

  She didn’t have to look at Conall to know he grew even tenser if that were possible. Likely because William seemed so glad to see her.

  “I’m feeling much better,” she responded. “Thank you for asking.”

  He nodded and considered her before he turned his attention to Adlin. “Might I speak with ye alone?”

  After Adlin nodded and they left, everyone chatted about preparations for the upcoming skirmish. She absently followed it as she nibbled on meat and took a few small sips of whisky. What she wouldn’t do for a freshly tossed salad and perhaps some fish.

  “Here, lass.” Barely glancing at her, Conall handed her another stick with some sort of meat on it.

  Lindsay frowned and took the stick, studying its contents. “What is this?”

  “Fish.” He frowned at her. “Did you not want some then?”

  “I did,” she said softly, meeting his frown. “Not that I said as much.”

  Conall grunted something indiscernible before he unsheathed his blade and started sharpening it without casting her another look. Meanwhile, Lindsay handed her meat to Bryce and sampled the fish. It was very good, and she said as much.

  “Rona caught it not me,” Conall stated and left it at that.

  Lord, he was an uncivil beast, wasn’t he?

  “Well, thank you then, Rona,” she said as she enjoyed it.

  Rona, it seemed, was as bland as Conall because she didn’t bother with a response. The look she gave Lindsay, however, was a giveaway. She was not a fan, and God only knew why. Not one to let another drag her down, Lindsay refocused on Milly, Graham, and Bryce and made the best of the time remaining before everyone was on the move.

  Tents were left behind as they made their way deeper into the woods away from the river. The weather was chilly, so she was grateful for the hooded fur Bryce wrapped around her shoulders instead of the one she had been wearing. Though both he and Graham flirted readily, she kept them at bay. After all, she had plenty of practice.

  What she had little practice with were men who ignored her especially after kissing her.

  Regardless, Conall kept his distance and never looked her way. Or so he wanted her to believe. She supposed that was for the best. She did not want him. And she certainly did not want to promote the desire she knew he felt for her. Keeping their distance was best for them both.

  Milly never strayed far from her side, and eventually, Adlin rejoined them. When he did, his brows were knit with concern.

  “What is it?” Milly asked.

  “There are more Sassenach moving into the area than Wallace anticipated,” he said. “’Twill make this battle a wee bit more difficult.”

  “How can I help?” Milly and Lindsay asked at the same time.

  “Och, you’re good lasses,” Adlin murmured as he steered Milly closer to him. “But there isnae much either of you can do until we know more.” His eyes went to Milly. “Mayhap you’ve a mind to use your witchcraft to keep an eye out for warlocks?”

  She nodded. “Of course.”

  Milly had the ability to astral project out of her body. If the last time she did such was any kind of example, then it seemed she could also home in on pure evil.

  “I can help too,” Lindsay said softly. “I am very good at...convincing men to do what I want them to.”

  She wasn’t that surprised when Graham and Bryce adamantly shook their heads no, and Conall doubled back. She didn’t have a chance to get another word out before he steered her away from the others.

  “Excuse me—” she started to say before he cut her off.

  “You will not be going near any more Sassenach,” he bit out, his hand wrapped firmly around her upper arm as he directed them even further away from prying ears. “Do you ken, lass?”

  Here they were yet again tromping off into the woods together with his assertive nature nothing less than overbearing.

  “I ken that you’re being overly dramatic,” she bit right back. “If you hadn’t noticed, I’m along on this journey, which means it’s for a reason.” She stopped short and frowned at him. “We all knew what that reason was at the last battle. And we all know I played a very important role.” She cocked her head. “Do you think if I have the chance to do that again, I intend to turn into a coward? What do you take me for?”

  She could tell by the way his brows snapped together, and his expression grew fierce that she was not going to like his answer.

  “I take you for a twenty-first century lass who thinks she will remain unscathed because she is overly confident in her wits, wiles and most certainly her physical allure,” he ground out, his hand not budging an inch. “I think you got bloody lucky before and to test that luck again is
foolhardy.”

  Overly confident in what? Had he just insulted her not once but three times? She couldn’t act calm if she tried and she definitely could not stop a heated response.

  “My wits and wiles are what saved Scotland just a few short days ago,” she reminded him through clenched teeth. “And we both know all my looks did for me was put me up against a tree thanks to you and your lust.”

  “I was not lusting,” he started before she cut him off.

  “Oh, that’s right, you were trying to save me from the English.” Her eyes rounded. “By satisfying your lust and don’t you deny it!”

  “Och, ‘twas no hardship on you though, aye?” he came right back at her. “You enjoyed the kiss well enough.” His actions were contradictory to his words as his grip loosened and became gentler. His thickening brogue, though, was heated and out of character. “But then I imagine ye have enjoyed every kiss ye’ve given a man since ye traveled back in time.”

  Lindsay slapped him without thinking twice.

  It was the first time she had ever hit a man, and though he might have deserved it, she didn’t believe in hitting another. Not like this.

  Stunned, he released her arm and simply stared, baffled and perhaps even a little disappointed in himself. It was hard to know with a man like Conall.

  Both infuriated and saddened by his words not to mention her own overzealous response, she continued after the others. Milly, naturally, had stopped and looked like she was ready to throttle Conall. So did Adlin, Bryce, and Graham for that matter. Lindsay shook her head as she passed them and kept walking. It was time to focus on other things.

  Anything but Laird Hamilton.

  Of all people, Aðísla fell in beside her but said nothing. Not at first anyway. Instead, she seemed to be letting Lindsay gather herself. When she at last spoke, they had just entered the cave systems they would be taking shelter in.

  “While I do not condone what Conall said to you,” she murmured, her tone softer than Lindsay had ever heard it. “I hope you will take into consideration that those words were only meant to push you away not offend you.”