by Grant, Donna
Aimery gave him a droll look. “Of course she can. Invite her over. ‘Tis time we meet.”
Anytime the Fae said those prophetic words it brought a chill to Hugh’s bones.
“Leave her out of this.”
The intense blue eyes of the Faerie landed on him. “Her Fate is out of my hands.”
“Mina,” Hugh called without taking his eyes off Aimery. He smelled her fresh, clean scent as she approached.
“Aye?” her soft voice questioned.
He moved his gaze to her face and saw the doubt shine brightly in her blue-green gaze. “You have nothing to be afraid of. Aimery is a friend.”
“Who just appeared out of nowhere?”
He would have laughed had the situation not been so serious. Most people, when they saw a Fae, immediately forgot them because their minds wouldn’t allow them to believe what they saw.
“I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time, Mina,” Aimery spoke, taking a step toward her. “You have shown much courage over the years.” Hugh almost groaned aloud, especially when Mina took a step away from Aimery, which brought her up against his chest. “Mina,” he said as he took hold of her arms. “He is a friend. Trust me.”
She stared at Aimery for a time before she finally moved toward him. Hugh dismissed the anger her absence brought. After all, no mortal could withstand the pull of the Fae.
Mina watched the stunning blonde man before her. Nay, stunning didn’t describe him correctly. There was something about him that pulled her to him. He was incredibly handsome, so much so that he was perfect. Everything was perfect, down to the shiny leather of his mid-calf boot.
He wasn’t human, of that she instinctively knew. But what he was she didn’t know. “What are you?”
“You know what I am,” Aimery said, his unearthly blue eyes intent on her.
“What am I?”
The answer came immediately to her lips, but she disregarded it.
“Don’t ignore your instincts,” he warned.
Her gaze drifted to Hugh who watched her just as carefully. “Fae,” she said and looked to Aimery. “You are of the Fae.”
He smiled, displaying even bright white teeth, and nodded. “Very good. You learn quickly.”
His praise should have boosted her spirit, but the silence of the men around her disturbed her. “What is going on?”
“These men, The Shields,” Aimery answered, “have been sent to destroy the creature that terrorizes your village.”
“I
know.”
“They work for the Fae.”
Now that did surprise her. “I don’t understand. Why do you not kill them yourselves?”
The Fae smiled sadly. “If only we could, but we have our own demons to battle.” He turned to Hugh. “Choose your men. I will return later with the destination.” And in a blink he was gone.
Mina turned toward Hugh. “You’re leaving?” The sudden apprehension of his departure frightened her in ways she couldn’t understand. “The creature still lives. You cannot leave yet.”
“Only two of my men will be leaving. They have another assignment.” He stood and held out his hand for her. “Now come tell me what happened the day the creature came.”
She didn’t hesitate a moment in placing her hand in his. His hand was warm and strong as it enfolded hers. She told herself it was just because he chose her over Theresa, but it was more than that. If she didn’t watch herself, she could find herself becoming besotted with him for the simple fact he paid her attention.
But she had to remember the real reason he was with her was because she was here the day the creature had come, not Theresa.
“What were you doing?” he asked when they were once again standing beside the burnt earth.
She pointed to the stone over his shoulder. “I was sitting there.”
“Doing what?” Cole asked.
“I come here for solitude,” she said after a moment. She hadn’t wanted to admit she came to escape her sister.
Hugh stepped closer to her. “Then what?”
“The sky became black as if night had fallen in the middle of the day.” She looked up at the sky. “I looked up at the clouds and then the earth began to shake. It knocked me off the stone, and it began to lightening so fiercely that I knew I would be struck.”
She stopped and wrapped her arms around her as she gazed at the burnt earth.
“When the lightening stopped, I heard the most awful, bone chilling scream. When I looked up, it was to see the creature flying towards the castle.”
“And that is all that happened?” Hugh asked.
She nodded. “After that I ran toward Sasha and raced to the castle. Since then we’ve been plagued by the creature every night.”
“How many has it killed?” Val asked.
“So many that I have lost count. The castle and village used to be full of people, but they soon ran for their lives. The ones that stayed have been picked off, one by one, every night.”
“I find it odd that in a month it hasn’t destroyed everything,” Gabriel said as he put his foot on one of the fallen stones.
She looked from Gabriel to Hugh. “What?”
“The creature’s mission is to kill off everyone in your village,” Hugh explained.
“Whoever is controlling it is keeping it from killing too much at once.” Gabriel turned and looked at the castle in the distance. “The question is why.
The creature could have killed everyone in a week’s time.”
“By the saints,” she whispered and slumped onto a stone.
“Then ‘tis time we put a stop to it,” Hugh said and gently touched her hand.
Hope blossomed in her heart. She raised her gaze to him. “Do you have a plan?”
“I always have a plan.”
Chapter Four
Hugh looked over his men once they were inside his chamber. They hadn’t been separated since their first assignment, and he wasn’t happy about this. But he also didn’t have a choice. Mankind depended upon them, whether they realized it or not.
“Any of you wish to volunteer?” he asked.
All five of them stared at him and waited. It was just as he expected. None of them wanted to go, but they all knew someone had to. It would be up to him to make the decision.
The role as leader of The Shields had come upon him without him even wanting it. The decisions he made would affect them all for the rest of their lives, however long that might be. Truthfully, he didn’t want to send any of them. He should be the one that went, but as soon as that thought entered his mind it was replaced with the thought of Mina.
He gazed at his men again and took a deep breath. “Roderick, you and Val will take Aimery’s new orders,” he said. And as he anticipated, neither man disobeyed him.
“Aye,” they replied.
His chamber suddenly seemed too small. He longed to stretch his legs and walk around without carrying weapons hidden in his clothes or wondering when the next foul creature that Hell spat out would attack.
“Did Aimery say where we’re headed?” Val asked.
But before Hugh could answer Aimery appeared next to him. “You will be going to the future,” the Fae said.
None of them thought much about that. Hugh himself had been brought forward from 1036. Traveling through the realms of time was something that occurred often in their line of work.
Roderick rose from his seat by the hearth. “Where exactly?”
“To a place called Texas.”
That got everyone’s attention.
“I’ve never heard of this place,” Hugh said. “In what realm is it in?”
“This one,” Aimery said. “Just nine hundred years from now.” Val whistled softly as he placed the dagger he had been sharpening back in his boot. “Then I suppose Roderick and I had better prepare. When do we leave?”
“Immediately,” Aimery said. “Ride to the woods. I’ll meet
you there.” And with that he was gone.
It didn’t take Roderick and Val long to gather their few belongings. Hugh and the rest of his men walked to the bailey to see their friends off.
After brief good-byes and Godspeeds, Val and Roderick rode their horses through the open gate toward the forest. Hugh didn’t know if he would ever see them again, but he sure hoped he would. These men had become friends. Family even.
They had lost men before, and they would again, but he refused to believe he would loose either of them. Val had seen much while fighting for the Romans and Roderick was immortal. They would survive.
He turned to follow Cole, Gabriel, and Darrick into the castle when he spotted Mina atop the steps. He stopped when he came to her.
“I won’t ever see them again, will I?” she asked.
“I honestly don’t know.”
She looked past him. “I wish them well.”
He waited until she entered the castle before he followed. They had wasted most of the morning instead of preparing for the creature. The sooner they killed this one the sooner they could meet up with Val and Roderick.
His men and Mina waited in the hall for him. “Tell me about your trap,” he told Mina as he sat down.
“It didn’t work,” Bernard stated as he walked to the table. “That was proven last night.”
“What was proven last night was that you told the men to return here,” Darrick said. “You left your sister to die.”
Bernard’s pasty faced flushed with anger. “’Tis she the creature wants.”
“How do you know that?” Hugh asked. “Did the creature tell you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Bernard hissed and reached for a goblet a serving girl handed him.
Hugh’s gaze flickered to Mina to see her eyes downcast. He couldn’t tell if she was angry or embarrassed. “Then how do you know?” he asked Bernard again.
“It only makes sense.” Bernard drank deeply and slammed the empty goblet on the table. “’Twas she who let it loose. That creature will trouble us until he has her.”
“We don’t know who let loose the creature.” Bernard laughed. “Do you think I would believe the word of a traveler? A Shield,” he said with contempt lacing his voice. “I am lord here.”
“Frankly, I don’t care what you believe,” Gabriel stood and began to unsheathe his sword.
“Gabriel,” Hugh said softly in warning. It would do them no good to kill the lord of the castle, regardless of whether Bernard was a pompous pain in the arse or not.
To his relief, Gabriel resumed his seat though he kept his gaze on the baron.
Hugh knew there would be trouble unless they could convince Bernard to help them.
“Don’t you want to see your village free of the terror that hangs over you?” he asked the young baron.
“Of course I do,” Bernard answered without raising his gaze from his goblet.
Hugh rose to his feet and walked toward Bernard. “Then aid us instead of hindering us.”
“But Theresa said I shouldn’t allow you to help,” he said and looked at Hugh, his bloodshot eyes staring coldly.
Hugh looked into the blue eyes of Mina’s brother. “You are lord here as you said, not Lady Theresa. What does your instinct tell you?” For several tense moments, Bernard stared hard at the table. Then finally, he raised his eyes to Hugh’s. “It tells me not to stand in your way.” Hugh let out a breath and found himself smiling at his little victory. “Then let us plan.”
For the next few hours they huddled around the table, plotting the evil creature’s demise. When their plans had been finalized, Hugh leaned back to find Theresa standing in front of him and directly behind Mina.
“You all have been very busy,” Theresa said and let her eyes roam over the men until they reached Bernard. “I would see you privately, brother.”
“Not just now,” Bernard said and poured himself more ale. “We’re busy. Find me later.”
Hugh looked at Mina in time to see her flinch and then his eyes found Theresa’s fingers digging into Mina’s shoulders. But Theresa seemed oblivious to her actions as her gaze shot daggers at Bernard.
In the silence, Bernard looked up. “You’re still here, Theresa? Run along. This isn’t a place for a lady.”
“Mina is here,” Theresa said.
Bernard rose and opened the map of the castle on the table. “Yes, well, Mina isn’t exactly a lady.”
Mina bit her lip and tasted the metallic tang of blood as Theresa’s fingernails dug agonizingly into her neck. Just as she was about to cry out, Theresa loosened her hold and flounced from the hall.
With her eyes closed against the pain her sister had wrought, Mina thought over Bernard’s words. So, she wasn’t exactly a lady. His words shouldn’t upset her, but they did. More than usual.
Mina opened her eyes to find Hugh staring at her. His dark gaze was always on her, and if she didn’t know how ugly she was, she would be flattered. In the end, she knew it was pity that brought his attention to her.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She gave him what she hoped was a bright smile. “Never better.” To her surprise, the corners of his mouth tilted upwards. “You aren’t a very good liar.”
“I know.” It never occurred to her to lie again, it just wasn’t in her nature.
“Did I miss something?” Bernard asked as he looked up from the map.
“Not at all,” Mina hurried to say. She leaned up at the same time as Hugh and their heads bumped together. She grabbed her head. “I’m sorry.” He rubbed his head and eyed her warily. “I beg your pardon. Ladies first,” he said.
She laughed as she once more leaned forward, but the laughter died on her lips when she saw Bernard staring at her oddly.
“Strange,” Bernard said.
“What
is?”
“Have your eyes always been that unusual blue color?” Would her family never cease to embarrass her? “Aye.”
“I never noticed,” he said softly.
She wanted to ask him just what he had thought the color of her eyes were all these years, but Cole had pointed to something on the map that took Bernard’s attention.
It was just as well, she thought. He would probably say something harsh to hurt her again.
Hugh watched brother and sister and noted the differences. Bernard and Theresa’s eyes were blue, whereas Mina’s were bluish-green. Bernard and Theresa had blonde hair and Mina had strawberry-blonde.
Could it be that Theresa and Bernard treated Mina differently because she had a different father or mother? He suspected that was the case and Mina just didn’t know it.
* * *
Mina smoothed down the tight fitting bodice of her pale green gown and ran her hand along the floral patterned wide trailing sleeves. She wrapped the braided belt around her waist and hips and tied it so that it hung down her front and the tassels at the ends brushed against the floral pattern on the hem of the gown.
She looked into the mirror and was rather pleased with what she saw. The gown had belonged to Theresa, who hadn’t liked the floral pattern, but Mina loved it and had hurriedly accepted the gown before Theresa changed her mind.
As quickly as she could with her still injured arm, she braided her hair in two separate braids that hung over each shoulder and fell across her breasts. She then wrapped thin strips of leather around each braid from base to tip for added affect.
It was the first time in years that she actually felt somewhat pretty. Even her bandaged arm couldn’t be seen. Before she lost her nerve, she rushed from her chamber to the hall below.
She took a deep breath and walked to the dais. Not even Theresa sitting between Bernard and Cole could upset her. It was the first time in years she felt like a lady, and she planned to act like one, just as her mother had shown her.
When Mina approached the table, the men rose. The only chair available was at the end, but she d
idn’t mind. It put her well away from Theresa and Bernard.
“Here, my lady,” Darrick said as he scooted out of his chair. “Take my seat.” Mina raised her eyes and saw Hugh staring at her. She gave him a small smile and bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at finding herself sitting beside the one man she had wanted to. Once she had taken her seat and Hugh and Darrick resumed theirs, the food was quickly brought out.
“You look lovely,” Darrick said when she passed him a platter.
Not one to hear compliments, Mina found herself uncomfortable. “Thank you.”
