Let me at him.
He agreed with is wolf, but the insane woman he was in love with, stepped in front of him. Brody tried to pull her back and she shook her head. “I’m immortal.”
“It doesn’t mean that he can’t make you hurt.”
The laughter that filled the air sent a chill down his spine and brought out a snarl from his wolf.
“Do you actually think you can beat me? Your cousin is more powerful than you are, and I vanquished her.”
“If you hurt Esme, I will end you,” Anice shouted. Brody looked at her as he moved to stand beside her. This was his mate. She had her hands fisted on her hips as she dared to confront a man who was playing with dark magick. And she didn’t look scared…at all.
Bloody hell she’s magnificent.
Amen.
Another bout of sick laughter emanated from Gavin. He had unquestionably lost it.
“Esme is alive, barely. I am here for the mongrel.”
“Go to hell, Gavin,” he shouted.
Enough of this. Shift now and we can help her fight.
“Oh, I have no problem with that. I feel I’ll fit right in.”
The wind started to howl again. The darkness seemed to grow around them, blotting out all the light. As they both watched in horror, dark figures appeared behind Gavin.
“You had to find creatures worse than you to fight.”
“I only wanted what is mine.”
Brody shook his head. He took Anice’s hand and pressed the jewel into her palm. “Protect it.”
She looked at the jewel, then back up at him.
“I love you, Anice McLennan. You are my heart, my soul, the only mate I could ever want.”
He bent his head and pressed a quick, hard kiss to her lips before pulling back.
“Brody,” Anice said.
He shook his head. “No time. Then, he stripped out of his clothes before he started to shift. His wolf was raring to go, to stand side by side with their mate and fight the evil.
Once he had completely transformed, he lunged at Gavin. He clawed at the bastard and felt satisfaction when he dug his claws into his flesh. The scream that rent the air was otherworldly and evil. It vibrated through the air as he pushed away from Brody. Brody hit the ground hard. Jarred by the impact, it took him a moment or two to gather his wits about him. By the time he did, Gavin was slithering toward Anice. Energy sparked as Gavin sent blasts in Anice’s direction while he chased her.
“The jewel is mine. You must suffer.”
He sounded mad. Ominous chanting started. It didn’t come from Gavin. It filled the air around them as Anice came to an abrupt stop. Her panic hit him like a whip, lashing at his composure. He knew something had stopped her.
She turned to face Gavin, and he wanted to shout at her to hide, to get down. Instead, she settled her hands on her hips and stared the bastard down.
His heart almost stopped beating.
Fear pushed him to move faster, even as the dark forces helping Gavin pressed against him, making it harder to move forward.
“The jewel is not yours,” Anice screamed. “You have no right to anything. You and your entire line are thieving bastards who never accomplished anything.”
She glanced in Brody’s direction for a split second, and he knew that she was trapped but was giving Brody time to get to them.
Since Gavin had turned his back to Brody, and all of his attention was focused on Anice, Brody had an advantage. He rushed Gavin from behind, ignoring the nips of heat that flayed at his fur. He knew that Gavin had help, but Brody didn’t let it stop him. He jumped on Gavin’s back and sunk his fangs into Gavin’s flesh. Gavin screamed and tried to get him off, but Brody used his claws to hang on tight.
“Get off me,” he screamed, thrashing about enough to toss Brody off of him. Brody landed on his back, harder than his last fall. It knocked the air out of him for a few seconds.
“Mine!” Gavin’s screech filled the night air.
Brody felt a shift in the atmosphere as he shook his head to clear it and rose to his paws. Now, the air around them seemed more turbulent, as if warring weather systems were in the skies above them.
Esme was rushing Gavin, who was completely focused on Anice now. This time, Brody approached him, then started to run to get another leap on him. Esme hit Gavin with some kind of magick that caused the bastard to stumble back and turn just as Brody took the leap off the ground. He slashed the other man across the face and chest before he disappeared into thin air. Brody fell to the ground and rolled over, jumping to his feet to face Gavin should he reappear. He didn’t.
“Brody!” Anice called to him. He looked over to find her holding Esme as both women sunk down to the ground. He rushed forward.
“I’m okay. That just took a little out of me,” Esme said, but her voice was weak.
“I think we should get her out of here,” Anice said.
“You have the jewel?”
Anice nodded and reached into her pocket. “Gone.”
At that moment, her phone buzzed. As she pulled it out, Brody shifted back to his human form. He knew he would have to probably carry Esme. He slipped on his jeans and had his shirt on when he looked over at Anice. Tears filled her eyes.
“What’s wrong, love.”
“It made it back,” she said, laughing. “The amethyst appeared in the sword. It’s over.”
“That’s good,” Esme said before passing out. He hurried over and felt for her pulse. It was still there and strong.
“Let me find my shoes and I’ll take her off your hands.”
“Brody?” Anice asked.
“Yes?”
“Did you mean it?”
He looked at her and knew what she was asking. “I did.”
She gave him a small smile, then looked back down at Esme. “She’s going to be very upset Gavin still has his bits and pieces on him.”
He smiled. “She will.”
“I guess we need to get Esme back.”
He gave Anice a quick hard kiss, then slipped his arms beneath Esme and lifted her off the ground. They had a lot to talk about, things to work out, but getting Esme back so she could rest was important.
Gavin was wounded and dangerous to anyone who ventured into his path. Brody was sure he planned to confront Callum. Brody hoped Callum, and the rest of the McLennans and Stewarts, took care of Gavin once and for all.
Chapter Eighteen
Callum and Phoebe were sitting in the dining room with everyone but the two remaining Stewarts, the sword was on the table when the flash happened. Magick charged the air, then the amethyst appeared. The sword vibrated.
“It’s done,” Callum said, grabbing the Claymore by the hilt. The power of the sword surged through him, along with the knowledge that they were finally free. “About bloody time.”
“I texted Anice. They’re all right.”
“Good.”
Before Phoebe could stand, there was a commotion outside. The front door blasted open, splintering inward. A rush of darkness seemed to seep into the house.
“Stay here,” he said to Phoebe as he stepped out in the hallway with the sword in hand.
“Meg and Maggie, you stay here,” he said. Meg opened her mouth to argue, but he said, “I need you here to protect Phoebe.”
The weight of what he was asking her to do showed in her gaze when she nodded. “I’ll not let the bastard near her.”
“Nor will I,” Maggie said, as she turned to Belvidore and Jack. “Make sure you two stay down. This might get a little messy.
“Callum McLennan, come and face your doom.”
“What the bloody hell does that mean?” Logan asked. “Who talks like that?”
“He’s definitely lost it,” Angus commented. Both of them were armed with swords themselves. Rena had told them not to use guns as bullets were easier to turn back against them.
Fletcher stepped up beside Callum. “Let’s get this bastard.”
Callum glanced ba
ck at his wife once more. Centuries he had been waiting for her and he wasn’t giving her or their baby up.
“Doona get killed out there, you idiot,” she said, her voice wavering just a bit, telling him how scared she was.
“I wouldna think of it, my love.”
Then he turned and stepped out into the hallway. Gavin stood before him. His hair was a mess and his clothes seemed to have been torn to shreds. Brody had been after him. Callum wanted to know what happened to his cousin and all of their friends, but right now, he had to concentrate on the wreck of a man in front of him. He was there to kill Phoebe and their baby and him. He might not feel different, but he knew he was probably mortal at the moment.
“So, you have all the jewels,” Gavin said, limping toward him. The doors to the dining room shut, and he knew his two cousins stood in front of it, both armed.
The sound of claws against the wooden floor came from behind him. He knew without looking they were the Stewart brothers. He knew his cousins stood ready to lend a hand if needed. Anger and fear drove him—and them. He wasn’t the only one who had a loved one in peril.
“He’s mine,” Callum said in warning. “But I doona mind the back up.” There was a growl, and he was sure it was Cayden.
“Going to have your mongrels attack me?” Gavin asked as he limped forward.
“No. That’s your way. None of you ever do the dirty work yourselves. This is all about you and me. McLennan against McWalton.”
The smile that curved Gavin’s lips made him appear even more evil, but Callum didn’t care. In fact, it made him feel stronger. The witches were protecting his wife and baby, and Rena was there to lend a magickal helping hand if he needed.
He took the sword in one hand and then motioned with his other. A few seconds ticked by as the atmosphere grew heavier and the lights started to flicker. Callum was worried that Gavin wasn’t going to fight him directly. He knew the witches and Serena would back him up, and Archie had said he would shift back into human form if need be. Still, Callum wanted this fight. He wanted to go one on one with Gavin. He was the representative of every bastard who’d made their lives hell for centuries.
“Come now, Gavin. Are you that much of a coward?” he asked, as he let his disdain for the present laird drip from every syllable.
There was a shimmer of magick in the air, but it was accompanied by the smell of Sulphur. He was surprised when Gavin screamed and ran straight at him. This was not the businessman he knew, the one who had been composed and cordial. This was a shell, controlled by the darkest of magick known to man.
Callum knew Gavin wasn’t thinking straight or he would have protected himself better. Callum stepped out of the way, turning the sword so that he could slice his arm. The scream that filled the hallway sounded like a wounded animal.
It wasn’t blood that dripped from his arm, but black goo, as if even his blood was tainted with the magick he’d been playing with. There was a growl behind Gavin from one of the wolves, and he noticed the creeping shadows coming down the hallway. Gavin hadn’t come alone.
Wind started to blow through the house, rattling the various paintings on the walls. It was hot and oppressive, as if sucking all the rest of the air out of the house.
“I’ve got this,” Rena said, and she started to move down the hallway, her hands outstretched and sparks of light coming off her fingertips.
“So, you do need your family.”
“I know I need them. You didna come alone. At least I didna have to sell my soul to get support.”
Another spark of heat zapped through the hallway. The force of it slammed Callum against the wall, his head smacking hard against it, but he held onto the sword—barely. Callum slid down to the floor as stars appeared before his eyes. The hit had left his body in pain—more than just a simple smack against the wall. The malicious taint to the magick left him aching, as if he had been through a battle Everyone seemed to be shouting at once, and the Stewarts were growling, but Callum took his time. He had to shake his head to clear it so that he was no longer seeing double.
He took a step and felt another brush of evil energy, but this time it wasn’t as strong. He glanced at Rena, who was still working hard against the magick, and she seemed to be gaining ground. The air was cleaner, if still tainted.
“So, you are a little man, Gavin. You have to have someone fight your battles.”
“I say you have some help too,” Gavin said, making a movement with his hand, and sending his cousins flying. They all hit the wall with a thud.
“We’re okay,” Angus said, getting nods from the other two.
“They are just there if you win. But you can’t win if you doona have the bollocks to fight me. You have always been a coward, just like your predecessors.”
“Fuck you.”
Callum smiled. “Come and try it.”
Gavin gave out another retched scream as he rushed toward Callum. At that moment, the air cleared up completely, the malevolent power shrinking away. His eyes bulged, and he had the look of someone who had gone completely mad. It had to be the reason he didn’t notice Callum was ready for him. He held the sword steady as he met the bastard. The sword hit him true in the chest, piercing his heart. Gavin’s eyes widened as he looked up at Callum. Callum pulled the sword back and watched the other man stagger back as he raised his hand to his chest. Just like before, instead of blood, blackness oozed out of his chest and over his hands. He fell against the floor, his head hitting the wood with a thud.
Both of the Stewart brothers bared their teeth and growled as they stood over the fallen laird. He assumed they were making sure the bastard stayed on the ground. Callum approached him, satisfaction laced with just a hint of regret. Not for the man lying on the floor dying. It was for the man he had been, before darkness had crept into his body and taken over.
“You know…I was supposed to win because I am stronger.”
“You might be stronger on your own, but I have a family at my back, one who would stand by me. I didna need them to fight, but I knew they were there if I needed them. That is what McLennans stand for. Your lot will never understand that. Because of that, you’ll die alone.”
“Go to hell,” he said, then his breathing grew raspy, the death rattle Callum had heard before. The door to the dining room burst open and the others rushed out. As they did, Gavin dissolved into the same black goo that had pumped out of his heart as he died. Abruptly, it seemed to dry up and disappear. There was only a faint scent of Sulphur in the air.
“It’s safe,” Logan yelled out, as the witches and Phoebe joined them.
“That’s…bloody hell! It’s over,” Angus said as he picked up his wife and kissed her. Then he picked his son up and twirled him around. “It’s all over, Jack.”
The heaviness that had been holding them down since Gavin arrived completely dissolved. Clean air swept through the house again, and the lights brightened.
Callum wrapped his arms around Phoebe. “It’s all because of you, love.”
She pulled back and looked up at him. Tears streamed down her face and her nose was red. Panicked, he brushed them away.
“Doona cry, love.”
She shook her head, smiling. “For happiness. I’m so relieved we are all okay.”
He kissed her nose. “Like I said, all because of you, love.”
“Callum,” she said, apparently unable to continue as a fresh wave of tears poured down her cheeks. Knowing that if he said anymore, she might just get worse, he pulled her into his arms again and held on tight.
“We need to celebrate,” Rena called out.
The Stewart brothers rejoined them in human form, thankfully dressed.
“It’ll be at least three hours before Brody, Anice and Esme make it back,” Cayden said.
“I’ll take care of that,” Rena said, and she disappeared.
“I’ll never get used to that,” Phoebe said with a laugh. “But I doona care.”
Jack was giggling as he was to
ssed from cousin to cousin.
“Be careful with him,” Maggie called out, but she was laughing too.
Callum laughed and kissed Phoebe. “Let’s hunt something up to eat, and we are definitely opening some whisky tonight.”
“Indeed, my lord,” Belvidore said. “I made sure Cook made up some platters for tonight.”
“What if I had been killed?” Callum asked.
“We would need it for the mourners,” Belvidore said without cracking a smile.
Phoebe chuckled. “You can’t say that he isn’t prepared.”
“No, and I am too bloody happy right now to care. To the kitchen everyone and make sure we have a few bottles of that whisky.”
Chapter Nineteen
Time seemed to stand still as they tried to get home as fast as possible. Anice sat in the back seat with Esme’s head in her lap. Her pulse and breathing were steady, but there was definitely something off with her. She was worried, and she knew that Brody was concerned. That made her worry even more.
They were about halfway home when Rena appeared in the passenger seat of the SUV.
“What’s taking so bloody long?” she demanded, then she saw Esme. “I thought she was okay.”
“She is. I think the fight just wiped her out.”
Rena nodded, though her expression was no longer as light as it had been.
“I know I will regret this, but, pull over to the side of the road.”
Brody found a spot and did as she ordered. Anice’s worry increased tenfold. He was definitely worried since he was barely saying anything. He knew Esme better than either her or Rena, so he would probably know what was normal and what wasn’t.
Rena waited for a car to speed by, then she closed her eyes. They reappeared in front of the mansion. It seemed like lights were on in every room. Rena must have sent some sort of signal that they were to arrive because the door was open, light pouring out of it. The entire family, along with their guests, came pouring out of the house. Brody was out of the car and opening Anice’s door almost immediately. Cayden appeared behind him.
Anice: The Cursed Clan Page 14
