Either way, it was her only hope, so she had no choice but to risk it.
As she raced forward, it felt as though wind whipped and propelled her out even faster. Coughing, she stumbled down the steps into her mother’s waiting arms.
When she looked back, the house was completely consumed.
“Good girl,” her mother murmured. “You got the book.”
“I did,” she said warily as she tried to hand it to her.
“No.” Her mother shook her head. “You need to open it, Jessie...just in case he put anything more in there.”
She swallowed and shook her head, as a whole new type of fear embraced her. “No, I don’t want to. We should just throw it the fire. Let it burn.”
“That’s the worst thing you can do if he added to it. If he saw through his threat.” Mama’s eyes became very calm as they met Jessie’s. “The fire would only seal it. Nothing could control or stop it after that.”
A shiver raced through her as she whispered, “Well, I can’t control it.”
“You can. You have to. You’re the only one,” her mother said firmly. “Now open the book.”
She had dreaded this thing her entire life. What it could do. The power it had. Yet deep down she knew she had no choice. Too much could be at stake. So, hands trembling, she opened the book, wide-eyed as she realized her mother was right. Her grandfather had seen through his threat.
“Just as I thought,” her mother whispered, staring down at the open page before her damp eyes returned to Jessie’s. “Now you’re Scotland’s only hope.”
Chapter One
North Salem, New Hampshire
October 2017
The Day Jessie First Arrived at the Colonial
SHE LOOKED UP AT THE old oak tree in front of Milly’s new house and realized it might be too late for Scotland. That she had taken on a great deal more than she bargained for all those years ago.
Now here she was, ready to undertake something so much bigger than her. So much more powerful. Or was it? Could she stay one step ahead of what was about to happen to Scotland’s history? Could she continue to influence dark magic with such an evil goal?
“Jessie?” came Milly’s faraway voice. “Sweetheart, are you all right?”
When a hand landed on her shoulder, it ripped her out of the dreamlike place she was in. Startled, she met Milly’s eyes. What was her friend doing here? Moreover, how did Jessie end up here, to begin with? The last thing she remembered she was at her cabin in Maine. In fact, the last thing she recalled, she was battling with herself. She needed to go to Winter Harbor then come here. She needed to see this tree.
After that, everything was a blank.
“I’m sorry,” Milly said softly. “You were really scaring us. Are you okay?” She looked around and frowned. “How did you get here?”
Shocked to realize she had been crying, Jessie quickly resumed her usual expressionless mask, wiped her tears away and shook her head. She kept her voice soft and level. “I’m not sure.” She glanced from the tree to the house before she started walking down the dirt road. “I’m sorry. I have to go home.”
She didn’t bother saying hello to Christina or Jim but continued down the drive in hopes of finding her car. Though she had no recollection of driving here, she must have. Thankfully, she soon spied her Volkswagen Beetle.
“Oh no you don’t,” Milly exclaimed and stepped in front of her. “It’s almost nighttime, and it’s a long drive back, honey. You’re spending the night.”
“I cannot do that.” Jessie’s eyes met hers. “You know I cannot, Milly.”
Her friends knew she rarely if ever left her home. What they didn’t know was why. They assumed Jessie was just anti-social and likely suffered from some sort of well-masked anxiety.
“Of course you can.” Milly steered her back toward the house. “There’s just the four of us here, and you know everyone.”
“Not Jim.” Jessie didn’t look in his direction. “I don’t know Jim, and that’s not good.”
“But you’ve heard lots about him so in a way you do.” Milly kept steering Jessie along.
She didn’t put up a fight because she knew it was pointless. Not only that but she went out of her way to avoid confrontation. As Christina hopped in Jessie’s car and drove it to the house, Milly made introductions. “Jessie this is Jim.” She motioned between them. “Jim, Jessie.”
Jim started to hold out his hand to shake but stopped, obviously aware of Jessie’s aversion to being touched. “Nice to finally meet you, Jessie. I’ve heard a lot of good things.”
“Nice to meet you as well.” Jessie met his eyes, seeing what she knew she would, before she whispered, “I thought so,” then kept walking.
Jim and Milly had dated for years before they became just friends. Though they were apparently in agreement about it, Jessie saw that he had not wanted it to end. At least back then. Now they were both beyond it, and Jim was simply a friend to them all. Well, at least Milly, Christina, and Lindsay.
Milly, it seemed, was destined for another man altogether. Adlin MacLomain. A man intricately involved in Jessie’s past though he had no idea. She suspected Adlin had already contacted Milly, who was a real estate agent, under the pretense of wanting to sell this very house.
Moments later, realizing she was right, she stopped short and turned her eyes Milly’s way. “So you met him then? How did it go?”
Milly frowned. “Met who?”
Jessie was a little shocked Adlin hadn’t been more forthright and couldn’t stop the slight raise of her brows as she touched Milly to understand better.
“Oh, I see,” Jessie said softly. “He likes to play games.”
“I’m not following, sweetie.” Milly shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
“You met him right here in this very spot.” Jessie’s eyes stayed with hers. “You’ve met your Scotsman, Milly.”
What she would not share, was his name. That was for Milly to discover on her own.
Jessie allowed them to settle her in a chair a few minutes later and said nothing when they treated her as though she’d been traumatized. Milly made her tea then everyone continued bringing in boxes and unpacking. Though tempted to help them out and say she was okay, Jessie had worked hard to create her persona.
Withdrawn. A recluse. Someone easily shaken.
It had long been a way to keep them safe. To keep Scotland safe. Now her well-laid plans were about to be tested. Her demons were rearing their heads, ready to set things in motion. Demons she fully intended to turn the tables on.
After all, she had all but birthed these demons.
Jessie patted her pocket, relieved to find her grandfather’s little book there. It would make all the difference with what she intended to do.
When Jim left, and Milly and Christina joined her, they proceeded to discuss Jessie’s bold statement in the driveway. She couldn’t tell Milly much other than the man in the driveway was the man she was eager to meet.
Milly’s eyes narrowed on the picture on his business card then went to Jessie. “We’ve never meddled because we respect your privacy, but I think it might be time you share a bit more about yourself.” She gave her a knowing look. “Because you clearly have...something going on.”
They had no idea.
“No.” Jessie nodded at the picture. “I would say you have something going on.” Her eyes turned to the fire, and she said more than intended. “At least it’s just you for now.”
“What do you mean just Milly for now?” Christina sat in the chair opposite them and sipped wine. “Because that almost sounded like you and I might become involved in whatever this great mystery is you’re keeping from us.”
“You all know I’m different and have accepted me regardless, so you deserve to learn more about me.” Jessie’s eyes went between them. “I have certain abilities. The strongest of them is the ability to sense other people’s emotions.” Her gaze drifted to the fire, and her voice softened.
“I suppose the technical term for it would be empath.” Her eyes returned to Milly’s. “I felt your Scotsman’s emotions out in the driveway. How strongly he feels about you. How long he has been waiting for you.”
There was more to her gift. Much more. But now wasn’t the time.
“I don’t understand,” Milly murmured.
“Not yet but you will.” Jessie’s eyes roamed before she looked at Milly again. “You have no idea how different you are Milly. How, like all of us, unusual you are.”
“I’m sorry.” Milly frowned. “Unusual?”
“And what do you mean by all of us?” Christina kicked in.
“Don’t tell me you aren’t starting to catch on, Milly,” Jessie said. “Don’t tell me you didn’t feel something the very moment the Scotsman called you and you saw this house online. I know you sense it.”
As she continued discussing Milly’s previous life in this very house, she contemplated how she might utilize their unique gifts. Their magic. How she could assist and manipulate things as they began their upcoming adventures. Something she had been mulling over since she first met them in an online forum years ago.
How could she make sure her friends best used their magic to protect themselves and Scotland? Milly with her ability to astral project. Christina and her godlike warrioress abilities. Then, of course, Lindsay with her ability to enchant.
Soon enough Lindsay showed up, and while Jessie would have enjoyed spending time with them all, the clock was ticking. So she feigned exhaustion and lay down on the couch. All the while, she listened to them and plotted. Once everyone had gone off to bed, she pulled out her little book, sat in a chair and began something she had hoped might never happen but deep down knew it would.
She began chanting and focused on the fire. On Scotland and MacLomain wizards. More than that, Scotland and MacLomain dragons. Maybe, if she did this just right, she could save her friends and avoid her fate at the same time.
Bryce MacLeod.
As she murmured and the night wore on, she put herself into an unusual sort of trance. A state of being that allowed her physical body to remain here and functioning while her spiritual presence began an adventure alongside her friends without them ever knowing.
Though some might think she was trying to play God, in truth, she was just trying to save Scotland’s history from a dark curse. One that would eventually wipe out Scotland completely if she didn’t help. That meant controlling creatures set to destroy everything. So, as she had been doing for a long time, she began navigating Scottish history by creating magically induced images in her little book.
As she did, fate began to unfold over the next few days though she never left her chair.
Milly traveled back in time, fell in love with Adlin, ignited her Claddagh ring and defeated their warlock. Which, in turn, put the Battle of Stirling Bridge back on track. Next came Lindsay and Conall who defeated their enemy and corrected both the Actions at Earnside and Happrew. Bringing Christina and Graham together to see through the Battle of Bannockburn, however, took a turn she hadn’t expected. One that brought Sven, a MacLomain Viking ancestor into the mix.
With Sven came the symbol of a burning dragon and a warning. Death comes to Scotland. Death comes to those who fly. While it was ominous, it also gave her control over warlocks that were starting to doubt her. She could use it to remain one step ahead of them. Because as it was, they had nearly figured out the truth.
Jessie was tricking them. She had been for eighteen years now.
She did not want Scotland ruined.
She would not see her grandfather’s curse through.
Bannockburn, Scotland
1314
JESSIE MANIPULATED SCOTLAND’S fate for five long days before her physical body finally left Milly’s house. On that day—after seeing through a time loop she herself helped create—she went to Christina’s aid in medieval Scotland.
A move that set her on a path she had hoped to avoid.
Yet here she stood in a fourteenth century Scottish forest as one of her evil minions skidded to a halt in front of her. This was it. Her last say before all ties were irrevocably severed and her control over Scotland’s fate was no more.
“Hold me in front of you,” she ordered the warlock. “Now!”
Though hesitant because she had never asked one of them to touch her, he did as asked. She flinched at his dark touch but kept it from her thoughts and most certainly from her body language.
Then she began counting.
Three, two, one...
She didn’t flinch when Christina flew at her and swung her sword only for Graham’s blade to stop it inches from Jessie’s face.
“What are you doing?” Christina seethed at him, wide-eyed and furious before she realized that she had almost ended Jessie instead of the warlock.
“Kill me, Christina.” Jessie kept her face expression-free and her voice level as her eyes held Christina’s. “Graham, step away and let Christina do what she needs to do. It’s the only way.”
“Yes, kill her,” the warlock rasped, his eyes trained on Christina. “Run that sword through her, warrioress.”
The warlock assumed Christina would never do that to her friend.
Normally, he would be right.
Moments later, Bryce and Sven skidded to a stop, their eyes taking in the tense situation. Jessie made a point of not looking at them. They were too much, and she needed to stay focused.
“Absolutely not.” Christina shook her head as she lowered her blade and narrowed her eyes at the warlock. “Release my friend.”
“Kill me,” Jessie said calmly, her eyes steady. “Or he will kill you, Christina.”
Connecting specifically with Christina’s magic, she made sure everything else fell away. That she sensed the steady thrum of Jessie’s heart. The utter lack of fear someone facing imminent death should feel.
She was letting her know it was okay to let go.
That this was meant to be.
Then she made sure Graham got the same message. That he and Christina were in agreement. This was the only way. They should trust in that. Trust Jessie. This was what had to be done, and she understood that. She was saying goodbye. Caught in her web, convinced she was right, they did as asked.
Christina and Graham plunged their blades into Jessie at the same time.
Or so they thought.
At the last moment, evidently sensing what they were going to do, the warlock did as Jessie hoped. He thrust her aside and took the blade for her.
Then everything happened very quickly.
The warlock shuddered, his saddened eyes firmly locked on Jessie as he wailed mournfully, decomposed rapidly then burst into a cloud of ashes. Like before when the others were destroyed, a pinching sensation squeezed her chest then she grew a little lighter.
Fully aware that she was out of time, she narrowed her eyes at Sven and Bryce who narrowed their eyes right back.
“Death comes to those who fly,” she whispered, for any warlock who might be listening. “Death comes to Scotland.”
Then she bolted into the woods, well aware Bryce and Sven were following.
She used her ability to manipulate the spiritual realm to throw them off her trail. Now they had to track three of her. She shot off to the right while her manifestations went straight and to the left. Knowing full well that she couldn’t outrun them she skidded down an embankment and then ducked beneath a rock jutting out of the ground at an angle.
With a murmured chant, she manipulated the Earth, blended in with the rock and remained perfectly still.
Seconds later, Bryce raced past only to skid to a halt and cock his head. She should have known. His dragon senses were picking her up. She barely breathed as he turned, narrowed his eyes and scanned the area.
Just like it did before, sensual heat rolled through her as she looked at him. It was no easy thing finally being so close to him. To know he truly did exist beyond what she knew, beyond the feelings she
had been fighting for years.
He was more handsome than most with his chiseled features and deep-set brow. Tattoos covered his arms and shoulders, only adding to his intensity as his pale golden eyes slowly came to a stop on hers. Thickly lashed, startling eyes she didn’t expect to home in on her so quickly.
She stopped breathing as his dragon surfaced and fire flared in those eyes.
“Help!” she mouthed, manipulating the air to make her words sound like a call on the wind from the opposite direction. That should compel him to run that way.
Yet it did not.
Instead, his fiery eyes remained narrowed as he unsheathed his dagger and slowly headed toward her. She tried to pull her gaze away, but couldn’t. So she tried to control the fire in his eyes. What he saw in front of him.
Big mistake.
His muscles tensed and the fire only flared brighter as he said, “I know you’re there. Show yourself, lass.”
How could he possibly know she was there? Unless...she clenched her teeth as she realized what had happened. The warlocks had totally pulled away. That meant she no longer had their protection. Strange, until that moment with how exposed she felt, she had no idea how much a part of her they had become. Or the other way around. She couldn’t be sure.
What she could be sure of was that Bryce knew she was there. As it turned out, not just him but Sven too. Seconds later, the Viking dropped down from the ledge and turned her way, his eyes just as fiery as Bryce’s. Just as searing as they locked on hers.
“Show yourself, lass,” Bryce repeated softly. “I willnae ask again.”
Sven fell in beside him as they shifted closer. They were moving in pack formation. Or dragon pride formation, if you wanted to get technical. That meant there would be no escaping. At least not right away. Especially considering they had no idea if she was friend or foe. Not based on the things they might have heard about her.
“Put your weapons down, and I’ll show myself,” she replied, using the air to make sure her voice echoed from every direction.
The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4) Page 81
