“Why did you leave Ravensmore?” He picked her up from the table, carrying her to the bed, crawling in beside her.
“I was exploring the castle. In Abigail’s old room a ghost appeared. He told me to look outside. I saw you embracing another woman, kissing her when you came out of her house. He said awful things about you having lots of women, said she was one of your many mistresses, you would never commit to anyone, least of all me, and you were only using me. I was angry so I ran. In the garage, I looked for a car to take, one that could handle the snow, that’s when Rawlins showed up. He put something over my face and when I woke up, I was in the dungeon at Castle Gloom.”
“I couldn’t find you anywhere. You’ve no bloody idea how worried I was.”
“How long have I been out?” Trying to sit up, she was healed but still tired from her ordeal. Colin eased her back, propping the pillows behind her, handing her a cold Pepsi.
“Next time you’re mad at me. Ask. ‘Twas a simple explanation—the woman was Mrs. Burns, a widow, her cow was stuck in the snow and mud, I freed it. I went inside to wash the muck off my hands, when I came out, she hugged me, kissed me on the cheek to thank me. That damnable ghost was always causing trouble when Abigail was alive; he was from France, loved gossip and causing problems. It must have pleased him to turn you against me. He hated me, thought I was barbaric, not good enough for her. I’ll find him; send him to another realm. I may not be able to destroy him, but I can banish him.”
“I overreacted. I’m truly sorry.” She blew out a sigh.
“Given what happened to you, it would have been easy to jump to conclusions, especially after the way I reacted when you talked about staying. I was so bloody stupid. I want you to stay here with me. I need you.” He wanted to say those three little words to her…yet…even after losing her, a part of him was still afraid.
Emily smiled up at him, tears swimming in her eyes. “I love you. I think I have since the moment I found your button in my pocket.”
As the fire crackled, they drank wine, and he spent the rest of the deep night showing her how much he loved her the only way he knew how…with his body.
Chapter 23
The curtains were drawn around the bed. Colin was fast asleep when something woke him. With a start, he sat up, reaching for his dagger under the pillow.
Every sense on alert, he pulled on his kilt and boots, careful not to wake Emily. Drawing the curtain open, he peered out. Something wasn’t right, every sense screamed for him to be wary.
“Well, it’s about bloody time you got out of bed. Granted it is almost time for breakfast, however while some start the day with coffee, I prefer killing Shadow Walkers—find it puts a lively skip in my step for the rest of the day, really starts you off on the right foot.” Rawlins was relaxed in a chair in front of the fire, hand casually resting on his sword, gun at his other hip, daggers in his boots. “I see you found dear Emily, did she enjoy her accommodations?”
“She could have died. What the bloody hell were you thinking? Why would you take a woman and not come straight at me? And to Gloom, my bastard brother’s hovel of a castle?” Colin’s voice was low, deadly.
“It pained you to see Hamish’s castle again didn’t it? Hurt you to know I had your woman, that she might die by my hand with nothing you could do to stop me? I’m going to kill you once and for all—you’ve been an annoyance to me for over four hundred years and I’m tired of the game, I have other things to do.”
With that the Day Walker leapt up from the chair, dropping into a fighting stance. “Let’s do this the old-fashioned way, yes? Bullets are so tiresome; I much prefer the cut of a blade.” Brandishing his sword, he gestured at Colin.
Filled with anger at his last day with Emily being interrupted by that bloody bugger, he lunged forward…missing Rawlins by a foot. Rawlins had a surprised look on his face as he taunted, “Being with a woman has made you slow Shadow Walker.”
Colin had forgotten how fast he was as a Shadow Walker. He’d been the best warrior of his time, and Colin would be damned if he’d let Rawlins kill him before he had the rest of his time with Emily.
Feinting to the left, he caught the Englishman on the sleeve, a red stain appearing on the white fabric of his shirt. “Bring it, ye English whoreson. I’ve things to do with my lady and I don’t want to waste my time with the likes of you—let’s finish this once and for all.”
Grudgingly, Colin had to admit, Rawlins had also been a great warrior, with his Day Walker power, he might have the edge but Colin had willpower, and in many cases a warrior’s will could help him win the day when he was outmatched.
“You almost killed Emily. Her blood is on your hands. Your minions beat her, broke her ribs, and shot her before walling her up alive. I will not let that treachery go unpunished.”
“I should have taken her for my own, had a taste before I left. Oh well, another time, mate.” Striking faster than the eye could follow, Rawlins slit Colin’s leg from thigh to knee, spinning around, dancing back. “As to my men, well, you know how soldiers are, they need to be kept in line or they get unruly.”
Pain lancing through his leg, Colin stumbled before regaining his balance. “I remember how much you relish a fight, especially when the odds are in your favor.”
“Rather slow this morning,” Rawlins taunted, cutting him across the chest as the red stain spread, the blood running down in rivulets to the floor.
Scoring Rawlins across his back, he opened a large gash across the Day Walker’s shoulder. “You stood and watched while my brother killed me, made a deal with him to betray me, killed my men, and destroyed their families, no longer,” he roared, bringing his blade down, catching Rawlins on his bicep with this strike.
Emily woke with a start, she’d been dreaming of swordfights. Rubbing sleep out of her eyes, alarms went off in her brain as she reached over for Colin and found the bed empty. She pulled on his shirt, jumping out of bed, horror on her face at the scene playing out in front of her.
That awful Rawlins was back, in their bedroom no less, fighting with Colin. Would it ever stop? She was so tired of blood and swords and guns, she wanted peace and quiet. Her adrenaline flowing, she tried to tiptoe over to the door to summon help. They were so focused on killing each other, neither noticed her. As she reached the door that damned ghost, Frederick, pushed her. She tripped, hitting the table, knocking a vase to the floor, sounding like an explosion, shattering against the stone floor.
Both men froze, mid-strike, looking at her. Rawlins tipped his head to the ghost who promptly vanished. He then stalked towards Emily, sword raised, ready to strike. Emily screamed, back against the door, nowhere to run. As the sword was about to take her head off, she slammed her eyes shut, hoping it would be quick and painless. Hearing a dull thud, she cracked one eye open.
“No!” she screamed, seeing Colin on the ground, Rawlins standing over him. His blade, razor sharp, cut through Colin’s shoulder. “’Twas a good fight Colin. You were a worthwhile opponent, there are so few nowadays, we are a dying breed. I’ll miss you as an adversary. Wanted you to know old chap, I never condoned what Hamish and Abigail did to you all those years ago, it went beyond the code of honorable men. Know you understand—I have to finish you off or Dayne will have my head, literally. Die well.”
Kneeling to take Colin’s heart, Rawlins didn’t notice Emily. Tiptoeing along the wall, she picked up the heavy iron fireplace poker. Sending a silent plea out, smelling freshly mown grass, she raised the heavy iron bar, arms shaking, and struck. She’d never know how but by fate or divine intervention she’d managed to stab Rawlins in the chest. Gasping with surprise, he looked up at her. “Well done, milady.”
Rawlins yanked the poker from his chest and vanished.
Falling to her knees, Emily couldn’t stop the bleeding. Blood was trickling out of Colin’s mouth. He was immortal; of course he would live.
“Colin, look at me. Tell me what to do.” She spoke softly, stumbling over the words,
stroking his face.
A croak came out, “The Fates have a hell of a sense of humor. I’m dying, ye must…” Colin grasped her hand in his, pulling her close.
“No, that simply isn’t possible, you’re immortal, he didn’t take your heart, you will heal. I need you, don’t leave me.” Her voice was hysterical, rising with every word until she was sure, every animal within a hundred miles winced from the shrill pitch.
“Shhh, lass.” Coughing as blood bubbled on his lips, running down the side of his mouth, Colin seemed to reach deep within for the strength to tell her something.
“I was lost the moment ye tried to help me in the Vaults, the compassion in your lovely gray eyes, the color of a stormy sea—so beautiful, so kind. I wanted to grow old with you, give you the big family you always wanted.”
“Don’t talk darlin’. You are the strongest, bravest man I’ve ever known, you’re not leaving me, not after I’ve finally found you.” Tears streamed down her face.
“I love you. You gave me peace after a lifetime of war. I didn’t think it was possible. Wanted us to dance in the shadows, bathe in the moonlight while every star smiled down on us, for all eternity.” Colin took one last breath, smiled weakly and was gone.
Screaming out in fury, mad with grief, she pounded on Colin, tears running down her face. “Please, don’t leave me. I love you, Colin.” Looking up towards the sky, she cried out, “Terya, please, I beg you, please help him, I will give anything, I entreat you.”
Rocking back and forth, she sobbed, terrible animal-like sounds wrenching out of her, a deep keening noise emanated from deep within, grief overwhelming her.
A warm breeze caressed her face, sunlight streamed in through the window, bringing the smell of a woodland forest and freshly cut grass. Emily looked around, there were honeybees flying around Colin. The room started shaking, the floor cracking open as a tree grew out of the stone, reaching up towards the high ceiling, its branches reaching out across the room, splintering furniture to pieces as the oak tree filled the room. Larger around than any tree she’d ever seen, the bark was dark chestnut with copper running through it. The leaves every shade of green imaginable, covering she and Colin, giving the impression of cradling them within as the room was filled with silver and gold light. A carpet of green grass appeared filled with all types of flowers, the scent filling the room.
The air shimmered as Terya appeared. She wore a gossamer gown of the palest blue, her silver hair sparkling and unbound, skimming the floor, bare feet walked towards and then stopped in front of Colin.
Crawling on hands and knees, Emily wrapped her arms around the goddesses’ legs, kissing her feet, weeping. “Please, bring him back to me. I can’t live without him.” she gazed up through eyelashes sprinkled with tears sparkling like diamonds.
“My child, what would you give to have your brave warrior back? Would you give your soul, your heart, the very breath in your body?”
“I don’t want to live without him. He fills the empty space in my heart I thought would never be filled. I will give whatever you ask of me to have him back.”
Terya reached down, her fingers under Emily’s chin, tilting her head up to look in her eyes.
“There must be balance. I cannot give life without taking in return. To return Colin to life, you must willingly give your own life—this is the price which must be paid.” The goddess gazed at Emily with ancient, all-knowing eyes.
Without hesitation, Emily stood, facing Terya, squaring her shoulders, “I gladly give my life for his. I understand—when I died and came back after the accident, it was so I could save Colin at this moment in time. Every moment I’ve had since the accident was a gift, I know now what it is to truly love…for that I am indebted to Colin, if this is how I repay him, I willingly offer my heart, soul, and breath. Would you tell him how much I love him?”
Casting a benevolent gaze upon Emily, Terya told her Colin would know. Content, Emily laid down next to Colin, curling up to him, running her hands through his hair, tracing the scar on his face, and gently kissed his lips for the last time. She nodded to Terya, “I’m ready.”
Wrapping her arms around Colin, burying her face in his chest, she closed her eyes. How long would it take—will I fall asleep and not wake up, will it hurt? Why was someone banging a drum, am I dead already? Gah, I don’t want drums in the afterlife, I hate drums, and why am I so freaking hot?
Bolting upright, something wasn’t adding up. His heartbeat was strong…but how could that be? She was dead. Maybe she hadn’t moved on and was a ghost? Opening her eyes, Colin was looking at her.
He. Was. Alive!
Before he could utter a word, Emily pulled him close, kissing him. His chuckle was a deep rumble as he kissed her back. “Somebody want to tell me why there is a giant tree in our bedroom?” Colin saw the goddess.
Pulling away, Emily stood, launching herself at Terya. Might not be the smartest move but she couldn’t help it, she was filled with joy. “I don’t understand what happened, why am I alive?” she stammered.
Caressing Emily’s cheek, Terya motioned for her to sit as a branch from the tree reached down, providing a bench for the goddess. She sat facing them.
“My darling child, you died from your injuries. Colin made a bargain with Thorne to bring you back. In doing so he sacrificed his soul so you could live and in so doing, doomed himself to existing as a wraith for all eternity.”
The goddess continued. “You are full of life, full of spirit, able to love again after being so grievously hurt. More like you, those who would put others before themselves, are needed to heal this wounded world.”
Speechless, Emily turned to Colin, embracing him, a tear of joy running down her face as he held her tight, gently kissing her eyes, her cheeks, her lips as if afraid she would disappear.
Colin spoke, “I should not be here before you, I am damned.”
The goddess turned her gaze to Colin and Emily held her breath. Nodding as if satisfied by what she saw, “Brave warrior—it is true, you did die. Emily begged for my assistance, offered her life, her soul, her very breath so you might live. In committing a selfless act for true love, you each paid the price, therefore the balance is kept, the debt is settled.”
A tinkling laugh, made Colin look up. “Don’t think so hard warrior. Trust in yourself. In Emily. You each have a choice to make.”
Emily and Colin looked to the goddess. “You both are now human. You can be together, with no memory of any of this. Your memories replaced with a different life. You will be happy, have many children, grow old and die together, when the time comes. There is another path, another choice I offer—I will give you back your immortality and Emily, I will grant you immortality to be with Colin. Colin would continue fighting for the Shadow Walkers. However, immortality carries its own price. You will not be able to have children, and if one of you is killed, the other will die at the same time as you will share one heart. I grant you until midnight tonight to make your choice. Here in this room, speak your choice before the clock strikes twelve and so it will be. Think hard on your answer for there is no going back.”
With that she vanished. The flowers, grass, bees, and tree remained. Colin started to ask Emily what she wanted when she placed her hand over his mouth. “I’m exhausted. Let’s enjoy the day, not talk about this until tonight. Right now I want you to ravish me, and then breakfast. I’m starved.”
“As you wish, milady.” Colin spent the next several hours gladly fulfilling her request.
Chapter 24
The missing person flyers filled the tube stations all over the UK. It was only part of the story; the fringe elements of society were also quickly becoming less apparent. In every city, the politicians took credit for cleaning up the streets, getting people off government run social assistance; when in reality they had been drained by the Day Walkers or taken to the farms, enslaved.
In Inverness, an old ruined abbey was sold to the highest bidder. All of the historic landmarks w
ere going to be on the market, sold to the highest bidders if the economy didn’t turn around soon.
The abbey was perfect. It had outbuildings, plenty of land around it and was remote enough to discourage visitors. These old sites usually had underground buildings and passages as well, ideal for the farming activities.
Dayne was inspecting this newest addition. The site was large enough to farm the humans for energy and have a separate area for an orphanage.
His new right-hand man, well demon actually, was named Solien. Vicious to the core, he hated humanity, his parents had been killed by humans thousands of years ago, he’d never forgotten or forgiven. He was a sadistic, brutal jailer, perfect to oversee the farms.
“How are we doing? I want the farms up and running soon. I’m all for killing every human on the planet but we must think strategically. Work discreetly, take the dregs of society, then the small towns no one will miss, then I’ll throw in a few plagues to cover our larger takes. Soon enough, my friend, there won’t be a free human left in the world.”
Dayne had to be discreet. If Thorne got wind of what they were doing, he’d call every creature he’d allied with over the millennia to fight them. Stealth was better. Keep it quiet, then when his brother found out, it would be too late to do anything. His precious humans would be gone, the Day Walkers stronger than his pathetic Shadow Walkers, and they could eliminate them one by one, at their leisure, until Dayne ruled them all.
The abbey had held witch hunts in its heyday and had a large number of underground holding cells. These had been cleaned out and were currently full of humans. The humans tasted better if you didn’t scare them first, the fear tainted the energy, gave it a sour taste. Better to take them from the cell to another building, then take a little, send them back or fully drain them and remove the corpse. The old cemetery was being put to good use, they’d dug a large mass grave and simply threw the discarded human shells in the pit, covering them with lime. Once the hole was full, they’d dig another, dust to dust and all that rot.
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