Midnight’s Lover

by Donna Grant

  Ian took a deep, slow breath and heard the fire crackle as if from a great distance.

  MacLeod Castle

  “We’ve got a visitor,” Arran MacCarrick said from his place on the battlements.

  Camdyn MacKenna came to stand next to him and flattened his lips as he saw the man walking toward the castle before his skin changed to an orange color. “Aye. It appears we do.”

  “He’s a Warrior.”

  Camdyn glanced at Arran. Arran’s honey-colored eyes were narrowed on the newcomer. Camdyn didn’t blame Arran for his suspicions. When battling an evil like Deirdre, it was better to be safe than dead.

  “So he is,” Camdyn said. “I’ll alert Fallon and the others.”

  Arran gave a nod, and then whistled long and high. A few heartbeats later a large indigo form flew from one of the windows of a tower.

  Camdyn watched as Broc spread his great wings and climbed high into the sky. He was their eyes from above, and with his power to find anyone anywhere, he was one of their greatest assets.

  Camdyn jumped from the battlement to the bailey and ran into the castle. He found Lucan, Ramsey, and Galen seated at the table. Their heads turned as one to him.

  “A Warrior is approaching,” he told them.

  Lucan rose swiftly. “I’ll let my brothers know.”

  “I’ll find the others,” Ramsey said.

  Galen hurried into the kitchen as he said, “I’ll collect the Druids.”

  As leader, Fallon MacLeod had made sure they were prepared for any event. They all knew their places and who was to do what. The Druids would be guarded by Larena, the female Warrior.

  Since she could turn invisible, any threats to the Druids never knew what hit them. It was the perfect way to keep the Druids safe from any harm.

  Camdyn had the ability to call up the earth in whatever way he needed. He let loose his god, Sculel, the god of the underworld, as he raced to his position atop one of the towers.

  When Camdyn reached the tower, he climbed out the window and onto the top. The wind whipped around him from the sea to his back. He inhaled deeply and breathed in the salt air.

  To his right he saw Hayden with his deep red Warrior skin help his wife, Isla, out of another tower. Isla used her magic to cloak the castle to keep other unwanted people from finding it.

  Those not looking for MacLeod Castle would only see the land thanks to Isla’s magic. It had kept them for four hundred years as those inside the castle walls waited until he, Logan, Arran, and Ramsey had returned to them. It had been the Druids who had tossed them into the future to find Deirdre as well as Ian. But none of them had expected a new evil to rival that of Deirdre. Declan Wallace was a menace, and he would be dealt with accordingly.

  Hayden wrapped an arm around Isla to hold her close as he leaped from the tower down to another part of the castle. Once there Hayden moved behind Isla, the small red horns visible through his blond hair.

  To Camdyn’s left was Logan Hamilton. The silver-skinned Warrior had the ability to control water, and since the sea was behind them, it could come in handy.

  Arran, Galen, and Ramsey were outside the castle walls, hidden and waiting. Broc continued to fly overhead while the Macleods—Fallon, Lucan, and Quinn—stood in the gatehouse.

  The MacLeods shared a god, and when they fought together, they were unstoppable. Much as Ian and Duncan had been. But Duncan was gone, his life taken by Deirdre. Ian had been pulled into the future not long after Deirdre had been.

  Whether Ian had learned to control his god or not was another matter. One they hoped to discover soon, along with Ian.

  Camdyn wondered where his friend was. They could use Ian now. It had been too quiet. No one knew what Deirdre was about or why she hadn’t attacked again.

  Declan, they knew, would attack soon. After all, they had rescued the Seer he had kept chained in his dungeon.

  Camdyn knew he likely wouldn’t survive this war with Deirdre. He didn’t mind dying, but the thought of being captured by Deirdre again and turned to her side made him ill.

  Broc flew over the bailey and held up one finger, letting all know the Warrior had come alone.

  “I seek the MacLeods!” the Warrior bellowed. He looked around and lifted his hands as he touched the barrier to Isla’s shield. A moment later he stepped through the shield and smiled as he caught sight of the castle.

  No one moved as the Warrior made his way through the village toward the castle. When he neared the gates, Broc dove from the sky causing the Warrior to pause.

  “Who are you?” Fallon demanded, his deep voice carrying clearly in the wind.

  “I am Charlie,” the Warrior answered. “I’m here to help you battle Deirdre.”

  Camdyn frowned. The MacLeods had welcomed him and others into the castle without hesitation, but that was before Malcolm had left and had his god unbound by Deirdre, before Malcolm had killed Duncan.

  Now, Camdyn was suspicious of everyone. Even though they needed Warriors to fight Deirdre, Camdyn wasn’t sure about this Warrior.

  Logan lifted a brow in question to Camdyn. Camdyn gave a single shake of his head. Logan clenched his jaw and flexed his silver claws.

  So, Camdyn wasn’t the only one who had doubts about the Warrior.

  “How did you find us?” Lucan asked.

  Charlie chuckled. “Deirdre. She’s on the hunt for new Warriors. I was turned some time ago and managed to escape. I knew if anyone could help me learn to control my god, it was the MacLeods.”

  Quinn leaned forward, his face set in hard lines. “If you doona want me to kill you where you stand, you will give us the answers we seek.”

  Charlie let out a loud sigh and shook his head. “Charon should have told me I wouldna get in so easily.”

  Camdyn didn’t know Charon, but he’d heard Arran, Quinn, Ian, and Duncan speak of their time together in Deirdre’s mountain. Camdyn had been a wee bit surprised the Warrior hadn’t joined them in their fight, but then again, Quinn had said Charon was a tad hard around the edges.

  “Charon?” Quinn repeated. “What do you know of him?”

  “I know that he said the MacLeods would welcome me,” Charlie said. “He found me wandering the mountains. I asked for his help, but he said he had none to give. He sent me here.”

  Camdyn dug his claws into the stones as he crouched down. He trusted the MacLeods, he trusted everyone in the castle, but that had come from fighting—and surviving—alongside each other.

  There was no debate among the brothers. Fallon looked first at Lucan, then to Quinn before he said, “We welcome you to MacLeod Castle, Charlie.”

  Galen swung open the gates as everyone came out of their hiding places. Camdyn jumped from the tower and landed beside Ramsey in the bailey.

  One by one the Warriors gathered around Charlie. The newcomer looked at them with a smile and laughing blue eyes. His black hair was cut short and spiky on top.

  “Thank you,” Charlie said. “I’ve been thrust into a world I know nothing about. Charon said there are those who fight Deirdre. I want revenge for what she has done to me.”

  Fallon moved to stand directly in front of Charlie. “You will be welcome here. But you must earn our trust. If you do anything to jeopardize the castle or anyone within it, I will sever your head from your body myself.”

  Charlie bowed his head. “You’ve nothing to worry about. I only want to kill Deirdre for what she’s done to me.”

  Camdyn watched Charlie as he strode past and into the castle.

  “What is it?” Logan asked.

  Camdyn shrugged. “I’m no’ sure.”

  Arran walked to the other side of Logan. “I doona like him.”

  “We need Warriors,” Ramsey said. “Especially with Duncan dead and Ian missing.”

  Hayden blew out a breath. “True enough, old friend. This new fellow will take some getting used to.”

  “It’s his eyes,” Broc said as he landed and folded his massive leathery wings behind him. “T
here’s something … wrong about his eyes.”

  Galen clapped Broc on the shoulder. “You were in Deirdre’s mountain too long. You’re suspicious of everyone.”

  “That isn’t always a bad thing,” Arran murmured.

  Camdyn had to agree.

  CHAPTER

  SEVEN

  Ian was pulled from the dark depths of sleep by the feel of silky skin and a soft, tempting body. Awareness came to him slowly, his unconscious battling against waking.

  But when he did open his eyes, he found himself frozen in place. Afraid to move. Afraid not to.

  He was on his back, the generous curves of a female pressed against him, her bare leg thrown over his hips. And his rod hard and aching.

  Her deep, steady breaths fanned over his chest as she snuggled deeper against him. Her head rested on his shoulder while one of her arms draped across his chest. Ian discovered his arm wrapped around her, holding her tightly against him while his hand grasped the ends of her silvery blond hair.

  His arousal lengthened and grew as her leg brushed against him. He closed his eyes as he felt her nipple harden where it pressed alongside him. His hands ached to cup her breasts, longed to fondle her nipples until they were hard as pebbles.

  He shifted his hips to ease the ache in his cock, but it only caused him to touch her leg once more. Ian sucked in a breath as she rubbed her hips against him.

  Need, pure and bright, burst through him. Desperate desire. Frantic longing. Wild hunger.

  It felt … right … to be as they were. Yet Ian knew it was far from right. He hadn’t thought of losing control to his god when he’d been trying to save her. But he should have. He could have hurt her during the night. He could have had a blackout and killed her.

  Ian needed some distance between them before he gave in to his urge and took her. Again and again. His breath lodged in his throat as he recalled her gorgeous emerald-green eyes. Her delicate face and stunning body would be imprinted on his mine for eternity.

  Slowly, all the while trying not to touch her more than he had to, Ian extracted himself. She moaned softly when the fur fell away from her. Ian quickly covered her, but allowed his fingers to brush against the supple skin of her shoulder.

  Then he stood looking down at her.

  Her silvery hair lay in waves around her, one lock stretching toward his feet. Ian found himself enthralled with her.

  Her milky skin was flawless. Brows, a darker blond than her hair, arched regally over her eyes. Her lips were wide and full. Kissable. Seductive. Erotic.

  Who was she? And what had she been doing in the mountains alone?

  Ian scratched his chin. He was surprised to find a new day dawning. Had he slept through yesterday afternoon and the night? He couldn’t remember the last time he had slept so soundly.

  Could the Druid’s magic have had something to do with that? Ian shrugged, assuming that’s what it was.

  He glanced at the Druid again. While they had slept, the fire had died. Needing something to do, Ian dressed and set about building another fire.

  Next, he picked up her clothing and spread it out so it could finish drying. He was curious about her. About her strange clothes. And about how the wyrran had found her.

  He wanted to wake her to gain the answers he sought, but the thought of his god taking control made him pause. He paced the cave as he waited, his mind searching for any way to keep her safe.

  From him. And the wyrran.

  Ian sat across the fire from her. She drew his gaze again and again. He wanted to see her eyes once more. He wanted to hear her voice and know her name. But he feared all those things at the same time.

  With his god vying for control, Ian could snap at any moment. How could he protect the Druid if Farmire had him? Yet, he couldn’t leave the Druid alone. Who knew when she would awaken?

  At least the danger of her dying had passed. Her magic was as strong as it had been when he’d first felt it. As soon as she woke, he would see that she was on her way.

  “And if she needs your help, brother?”

  Ian ran a hand down his face and wished he hadn’t heard Duncan’s question, because he didn’t have an answer. Ian had made a vow to protect Druids. If this one needed his help, he couldn’t refuse her.

  But being near her in his state could put her in even more danger.

  Ian rose and left the cave. He needed to hunt. Oddly enough, his god had been quiet, almost content, since he had encountered the Druid.

  There would be time enough to test his control later. Ian glanced into the cave before he called up his god and stepped into the snow.

  * * *

  Danielle couldn’t remember ever being so warm. She snuggled deeper into the furs.

  Furs?

  Her eyes flew open as she lay perfectly still. A fire blazed before her, but she could detect no one around her. The odd thing was she could have sworn someone had been near her, warming her, holding her.

  And it had felt heavenly. Even if her body ached.

  It took half a heartbeat for her to realize she only had on her bra and panties beneath the fur. She rolled onto her back and looked at the rocks around her. Was she in a cave? She licked her lips as she tried to remember what had happened before.

  She recalled running. From those awful yellow creatures. An image of a tall man with shoulder-length wavy hair and pale blue skin flashed in her mind. She had seen the darker blue claws and his fangs as he roared.

  He had fought the wee beasts.

  Danielle then remembered the sound of the ice cracking beneath her feet a heartbeat before the glacial water swallowed her.

  Everything had gone black after that. She had thought for sure she was dead. Who had saved her? The man who wasn’t a man at all?

  The fire popped, and a moment later Danielle smelled meat. She held the fur against her chest with her hand and slowly sat up.

  “Hello?” Danielle called. “Is anybody there?

  When no one answered her, she let out a sigh and bent her legs so that her feet were tucked against her. She spotted her coat, dress, socks, and boots spread out among the rocks.

  Someone had pulled her from the water. Someone had brought her to this cave. And someone had undressed her.

  Where were they?

  The cave held many shadows. The fire was large and the light danced upon the walls and ceiling where she could see deep gouges in the rock as if a blade of some kind had struck it. But the light didn’t reach into all the shadows.

  She swallowed past the fear lumped in her throat and looked around the cave. The area was large, with the fire built in the middle. A few paces away she could see where the cave narrowed so that only one person could walk to the entrance, where she caught a glimpse of the darkening sky. And more falling snow.

  How many days had passed since she had fallen into the loch? One? Two? More?

  “If I get out of this I’m taking a holiday. Somewhere tropical like Jamaica or the Bahamas. No. Tahiti. For a month,” she said as she gently touched her hand to the injury on her head from the accident.

  She sat up straight and stretched her back. Instantly pain ran through her, causing her to wince. She looked at her arms and shoulders to see bruises everywhere.

  “Dear God, I’m a sight. And still talking to myself.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve gone daft. That’s the only explanation. I wandered the mountains too long. The lack of food and warmth has done me in.”

  She laughed as she thought of what Whitney and Clair might say to that statement. How she wished she weren’t alone. She should have stayed at home instead of wanting to celebrate New Year’s.

  Then she wouldn’t have found the key, wouldn’t have hurt Mitchell, wouldn’t have gotten into the accident, and certainly wouldn’t have gotten lost.

  Her stomach gave a long, low growl. Danielle laughed as she shook her head. The smell of the meat was too tempting to resist.

  She inched closer to the fire and reached for the meat. Only to realize
she had nothing with which to cut off a piece.

  “I was never one for camping,” Danielle said with a sigh. “I should have gone with Aunt Sophie and Uncle Henry more often. Maybe then I’d know what to do in this situation.”

  But her hunger was too great to be ignored. She reached for the meat and tried to pull off a piece, but the heat from the flames and the meat itself only burned her fingers.

  “Bugger,” she said with a yelp and stuck her injured fingers in her mouth.

  Nothing had moved in the cave, but suddenly she knew she wasn’t alone. Danielle looked around carefully, noting several places someone could hide in the deep shadows.

  “Are you the one who saved me?” she asked. “Thank you.”

  She had to wonder why the person was hiding. Did they not want to show themselves to her? Or was it that they didn’t want her to know who they were?

  Long moments passed with no answer. Then a shadow to her right shifted, moved. And came toward her.

  Danielle recognized the man instantly. He was the same one she had seen fighting the creatures. But his skin was no longer pale blue. It was tanned a deep bronze that set off his sherry-colored eyes.

  She was struck speechless at the rugged, untamed handsomeness of the man. The man was tall and held himself stiffly, as if he were on guard. Through the torn saffron shirt she saw the corded muscles of his arms, chest, and shoulders. His light brown hair was long and wild about his shoulders.

  There was a dark intensity about the man, a coiled violence that seemed ready to explode at any moment. Though his face was hidden by a thick beard, she could still make out the hard planes of his face, his wide, thin lips, and hollowed, angled cheeks. He had deep-set eyes that pierced her to her soul, and an aquiline nose that spoke of his heritage.

  “Hi,” she said with a smile.

  He didn’t reply, just looked at her. He studied her as one did an insect they had never seen before.

  Danielle grew uncomfortable in the silence. She shifted back to her position on the furs and looked anywhere but into the man’s all too seductive eyes.

  She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was incredibly handsome. Even if he did wear a kilt that looked to be several hundred years old and in need of throwing away.