Wolf Castle (Phoenix Throne Book 4): A Scottish Highlander Time Travel Romance

by Heather Walker

  “How…. how do you know about that?”

  He shrugged. “Oh, I ha’e heard the same story a thousand times from all o’ ’em.”

  “All of who?” Sadie gasped.

  “Weel, Carmen, first o’ all. Then Elle and ’Azel. We left ’em all at home wi’ me brothers. Carmen’s married tae me brother Angus back in…in our own country. Elle’s married tae me brother Rob, and ’Azel’s married tae me brother Fergus, now they’ve come back from…. weel, anyway, I ken all aboot’t, and now ye’re ’ere.”

  Sadie’s hand flew to her head. “This isn’t possible. Where are they? How did they get to marry your brothers? Does this mean we can’t get sent back to our own time?”

  He held up his hand. “I cinnae tell ye that. It’d take the better part o’ a year tae explain it all, and ye wouldnae believe the half o’t if I tried. ’Azel says ye cinnae be sent back, now that she lifted the curse on ye, but perhaps she’ll find a way if ye really wish tae go. I dinnae ken. Ye mun’ ask her yerself.”

  “Where is she?” Sadie asked. “How can I get to her? How can I join the rest of them? What about Grace? Where is she?”

  “Dinnae ask me. If I had kenned ye were ’ere afore, I…. weel, I dinnae ken what I would ha’e done. Now ye’re ’ere, and I’m ’ere, and Jamie’s ’ere, and I dinnae ken what’ll come o’ this. We’ll just ha’e tae see how it works out.”

  Sadie gasped one more time. She paced around the room, but she couldn’t get her mind to function. Blair Montgomery lay dead at her feet. Young Christie McLean slumped passed out in his chair. His cold sweat stuck his hair to his forehead. The exertion of fighting off that vampire and almost losing sapped his energy.

  Now this strange Highlander told her he knew her friends and every detail of how she got here. She scrutinized his face. He knew more about her than anyone, even Lachlan. This man’s brothers married her friends. That made him her…

  She took a closer look at him. Now that she looked, she saw again that deep, sad expression in his face. He understood. He knew, and he cared. Her heart split open to him, but she refused to let it show. What if he turned out to be another Lachlan? What if he pushed himself on her and wouldn’t let up even when she said no?

  She turned to Christie. She hid herself in her doctor role. She busied herself tending him and checking his wounds. As she suspected, he broke his scabs open in the struggle. His gashes bled, and his pulse raced under her fingers when she checked it at his wrist.

  She glanced over her shoulder to see that man standing at the window. Callum. He said his name was Callum. He gazed through the window at the battle scene below. He paid no attention to what she was doing. He must not find her as fascinating as she found him.

  She worked over Christie, but she had no clean bandages to replace the bloody ones wrapped around his chest. What could she do about that? She couldn’t go back to the ruined hall.

  Just then, Callum turned around to face her. “They’re comin’ back.”

  “Who is?”

  “The McLeans,” he replied. “They drove the creature’s off, and they’re comin’ back inside.”

  She rushed to his side. “They are? How did they do that?”

  He moved away from the window. “Come on. We can take Christie back now.”

  Sadie got to the window in time to see the McLeans walking back across the field toward the Tower House. Not one vampire remained in sight to bother anybody. How did they do that? How did they drive the demons back when the battle appeared to be lost?

  A groan attracted her attention, and she spotted Callum lifting Christie out of his chair. He walked out of the room without waiting for her. She ran after him. “Hey! Where are you going? You can’t take him back to the hall.”

  It was too late. He stopped in the hall door, and they both looked in on the devastation. Of the hundreds of beds lying on the floor, only five remained visible. Sadie recognized Blair and Christie’s empty beds near the door. The other three lay empty and abandoned. Where their owners got off to when they fled for their lives, Sadie didn’t know or care.

  She stared in horror. A solid wall of stone block, splintered wood, and mortar dust separated her from the rest of the room. No one could survive that collapse. All the other wounded patients she worked so long and hard to care for lay dead under the rubble.

  Her spirits flagged. For the thousandth time, she thought she couldn’t bear the pain. She loved and prayed for and cried over every one of those patients the same way she cried over Blair, and now she would never see them again.

  Cleaning their wounds, changing their dressings, freshening their bedding all these weeks—it all came to nothing. She might as well never have bothered for all the good it did.

  At that moment, a crowd of armed men flooded into the passage all talking at once. They supported their wounded companions.

  Arch McLean growled through his teeth when he tried to enter the hall. “What’s this?”

  “How did’t happen?” Carson asked.

  “We don’t know,” Sadie replied. “We were just standing there, and the whole roof fell in.”

  “So where do we put ’em?” Arch asked. “We cinnae put ’em down out ’ere.”

  The men swirled around Sadie and Callum in a flurry of rapid conversation and conflicting ideas. Lachlan McLean emerged from the throng. He came to the doorway, but when he saw the cave-in, he turned to Sadie. “Ye awright, lassie? I thought so. Ye look a little worse fer wear.”

  She hung her head. “I’m sorry, Lachlan. Blair’s dead. He died defending the House from those things coming through the window. He and Callum…”

  Lachlan rounded on Callum. “So it’s ye I ha’e tae thank fer this. I should ha’e kenned it. Yer brother….”

  “I ken what me brother did,” Callum interrupted. “I saw him from the windae.”

  The other young stranger appeared at Callum’s side. Callum clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Ye did awright, lad. I’ll no scold ye fer’t now.”

  Jamie’s cheeks colored. “Yes, Sir. I ainly did what I kenned was right.”

  “It’s all o’er fer the moment,” Lachlan added. “We’ll no see ’em again afore the day is out, and we ha’e a few good hours tae get out o’ this.”

  “Get out?” Sadie exclaimed. “What do you mean?”

  “We’re packin’ up,” Lachlan replied. “We’re evacuatin’ the Tower Hoose and makin’ across the Isle tae Duart. We can make a better stand there.”

  “Evacuate?” Sadie cried. “What about Blair? We have to bury him. We have to bury all of them.”

  “No time fer that,” Lachlan returned. “He’ll ha’e tae stay where he lies, alaing wi’ all the others out on the field. Pack up yer goods and as much supplies as ye can carry. We’re leavin’ afore the bloodsuckers come back. I ha’e no doubt they’ll come fer us at Duart as weel, but we can make a stand there wi’ the rest o’ our Clan.”

  The fighting men broke up and scattered. Lachlan approached Callum. “I’ll take him now, and ye gang wi’ the others tae prepare the march. See tae me brother Carson. He’ll fit ye out and make ye ready. If ye still wish tae cross the loch, ye’ll ha’e tae come wi’ us tae Duart. Ye can leave the Isle from there and make yer way home.”

  He lifted Christie out of Callum’s arms and entered the half-wrecked hall. Sadie watched him lay the boy on a blanket and settle his floppy head in a comfortable position. She stood aside until Lachlan squatted back on his heels. “I thought he was dead. I thought he died wi’ the others.”

  “It was Blair that saved him,” Sadie replied. “Blair and Callum. Callum almost got killed saving Christie. He got bit in the shoulder by one of those fiends, and when we turned around….” Her voice failed.

  Lachlan got to his feet and stood in front of her. “Awright, lassie. Blair’ll rest in peace, just like all the others.”

  “He wanted me to tell you….” Her voice cracked with emotion. “He wanted you to know he died fighting. He wanted you to k
now he got his life back in the end, that he didn’t die a…a dishrag, as he called it. He asked me to tell you he died defending his Laird and the House.”

  Lachlan put his arms around her. She glanced over her shoulder, and when she saw Callum and Jamie gone, she let herself relax into Lachlan’s embrace. He kissed her hair. “Awright, lassie. I ken it now. I ken Blair died weel, and he’ll rest from care, now the demons’ no lainger hunt him. Now we mun’ guard ourselves, and that means leavin’ this Hoose fer Duart. Can ye muster yer supplies tae march in a few hours?”

  She tore herself out of his arms. “I’ll manage it. Christie is the only one of the wounded left alive.”

  “Ye’ll no need tae worry o’er Christie. I’ll see he goes wi’ us and he doesnae slow us down. Gang ye on yer way, and let me ken if there’s ought ye need fer the journey.”

  Chapter 9

  Jamie hurried up behind Callum. “I’m sorry, mon. I had tae do it. I couldnae stand aside and watch those devils kill this Clan.”

  Callum didn’t stop walking. “I ken it, lad. Ye dinnae ha’e tae explain. I’m sure I would ha’e tae do the same if I had been in yer place. Ye did what ye had tae do, and ye won these McLeans a few hours at the least. I’ll no gainsay ye. Ye’re a mon. Ye can make yer own choice in battle withoot me mindin’ ye like a nursemaid.”

  Jamie raced to keep up with him. “I’m tellin’ ye, mon. We mun’ help these. They cinnae stand against’t. If we dinnae help ’em, they’ll no make it tae Duart. Ye mun’ realize that, mon.”

  Callum halted in his tracks to face his brother. “I said I’ll no gainsay ye, lad. Ye awready used yer strength tae drive the demons back. The creatures would ha’e o’errun us tonight if ye hadnae. I saw ye from the windae. Ye flew o’er ’em and sent ’em scurryin’ fer the sea wi’ yer fire. Ye’re as much a mon as I, Jamie Cameron, and if ye choose tae use yer strength tae help this Clan, I’ll no stand in yer way. Ye dinnae need me say-so tae do what ye believe tae be right.”

  Jamie cocked his head. He dared not take Callum at his word. Callum saw that. “Ye’ll no order me tae return tae Urlu against me wishes?”

  “I’m no yer Captain o’ the Guard,” Callum replied. “I’m yer brother. I’ll no explain yer actions tae Angus nor anyone else. Ye’re mon enough tae explain yerself and stand by yer own decision, so dinnae ask me tae. Stand on yer own legs, lad, and I’ll stand on mine. If ye fall ’ere and ne’er make it tae Cameron land nor back tae Urlu, that’s yer own business, no mine.”

  Callum set off walking again. He walked down to the guard room where the last of the McLeans and the Montgomerys worked over their arms and honed their weapons for their last great campaign. They all talked at the same time about the journey ahead. “We’ll face attack on the open heath, I’ll wager,” one Montgomery remarked. “They’ll no leave us in peace tae return tae Duart. They take us when we’re vulnerable, and we’ll ha’e women and wounded and what-all tae slow us down, too.”

  “Ye dinnae suggest the Laird leave ’em behind,” Arch McLeans countered.

  “I ne’er suggested naught o’ the kind,” the first man returned. “I ne’er spoke against the Laird, and I winnae start now.”

  A third man approached Callum. Now that he saw so many of these McLeans at close range, he started to recognize the unmistakable stamp of a resemblance in their features. The man stuck out his hand. “Ye’re the other Cameron, I’ll wager. I’m Carson. I’m in charge o’ these, and as laing as ye’re wi’ us, I’m in charge o’ ye, too.”

  Callum shook his hand. “Right glad I am tae be under ye. I stand on yer orders, and I’m ’ere tae receive yer command.”

  Carson waved at Jamie. “Me command is tae fight like yer brother. We ha’e no need fer another sword. Another sword cinnae do ought against this foe, but another dragon’ll rout ’em off and keep ’em off. That’s what we need.”

  Callum shook his head. “What me brother has done or will do has naught tae do wi’ me. He’ll use his strength tae fight fer ye, but if ye dinnae want me blade, I’ll go o’er the loch tae me own country and me own people. It’s mere happenstance that settled us ’ere, and the sooner we’re away, the better fer us.”

  Carson frowned. He glanced at Jamie, who shrugged and held out both hands. Carson rounded on Callum. “Is that the way o’ yer kind—tae leave yer hosts and friends behind at the first sign o’ danger? That’s a fine banner tae wave tae the rest o’ the world o’ yer land and yer people. I’d no spread that news aboot if I was you.”

  Carson turned on his heel and stormed off. Callum spotted Arch glaring at him. Jamie took hold of Callum’s shoulder, spun him around, and steered him out of the guard room into the passage. “What’re ye playin’ at, mon? How can ye throw their helplessness in their faces like this?”

  “Unless I miss me guess,” Callum returned, “they’re no as helpless as all that, no wi’ an Urlu like ye fightin’ fer their side. I tell ye I’ll no interfere wi’ yer decision, lad, and I’ll thank ye tae leave mine alone, too. Ye made yer choice, and I’ll make mine, and no ye nor any McLean nor ought else’ll turn me aside. Do I make meself clear, lad?”

  Jamie shrugged and looked away. “I cinnae believe ye’ll turn tail and run, mon. Ye and I’re the only ones wi’ the power tae turn this tide toward our friends. We cinnae leave ’em unprotected.”

  “Our friends!” Callum snorted. “Ye’ve known ’em less than a day, and awready ye’re callin’ ’em yer friends. If that’s yer way, I’ll no argue it, but leave me tae choose me own friends in me own way.”

  Jamie pushed his face close to Callum’s. “Do ye think I cinnae see ye makin’ yer own friends here, the same as me? I heard what that woman said. Ye used yer steel tae defend the Hoose and save that lad’s life, so what’s the difference? Use yer fire the same way ye used yer steel. It’s no different.”

  Callum stiffened. “Ye wish tae ken what friends I ha’e made in this Hoose? That woman we saw tendin’ the wounded is one o’ Carmen’s friends—one o’ the women o’ ’Azel’s spell. The spell mun’ ha’e transported her ’ere instead o’ Urlu. Dinnae ask me how it happened, but…”

  “No!” Jamie gasped. “She isnae! She cinnae be!”

  Callum nodded. “She wants tae go back. She wants tae go tae her friends, but how can she if the curse is lifted? She’s stuck ’ere, alaing wi’ the rest o’ us. We cinnae get away wi’ those things attackin’ all o’er the place.”

  “All the more reason tae use our strength,” Jamie pointed out. “We’re Urlus, mon. These creatures ne’er stand a chance against us. Ye should ha’e seen ’em on the field just now. They…”

  “I saw ’em on the field,” Callum replied. “I saw ye on the field as weel. Do ye fancy walkin’ in there and tellin’ that lass her friends are married tae dragons, that we are dragons, and we’re flyin’ around the skies spittin’ fire on our enemies and battling ghouls? Do yer really believe she’ll come back tae Urlu wi’ us if she finds out?”

  Jamie opened his mouth, paused, and shut it again.

  “Go alaing,” Callum insisted. “Lachlan kens aboot us, and now all the McLeans ken aboot us, too, thanks to yer stunt out there tonight. Now go alaing o’ ye and tell her. Tell her straight out tae her face ye mean tae fly her back tae Urlu, tae live in a country full o’ dragons fer the rest o’ her life, as she’ll ne’er be sent back tae her own time. Go alaign. I’ll follow, as I cinnae wait tae hear how ye explain it tae her.”

  Callum fixed his eyes on his brother. Jamie didn’t move. Callum’s words worked. Jamie didn’t want to be the one to break the news to Sadie about the Urlus. Callum hated the thought of breaking the news to her himself, especially now that he….

  He cut that thought off at its root. He wouldn’t stay here. He would accompany the McLeans as far as their stronghold at Duart Castle. Then he would keep on going by boat, across Loch Linnhe, to Cameron lands on the mainland. He would forget all about these McLeans and their little problem.

  He whirled around on h
is heel and walked away from Jamie. He had no idea where in this crazy castle he would go. He didn’t know his way around, but none of that mattered. The brutal fact stared him in the face.

  He couldn’t forget all about these McLeans and their little problem because he couldn’t forget about Sadie. Whatever else he did, he had to deal with her. He had to solve her problem before he could leave. Now that he knew she was here, he couldn’t walk away from her. He could never show his face in Urlu again if he did.

  He found a staircase up to the roof. No fighting men patrolled the battlements now. They all went downstairs to prepare the evacuation, and half the roof yawned open in a massive jagged hole where the support structure collapsed. They would never defend these walls again—not from these vampires, anyways.

  Even knowing he had to deal with Sadie, he couldn’t bring himself to use his dragon abilities. He didn’t want her to know about him. Why? Hadn’t his brothers all married human women? Why shouldn’t he?

  He shuddered at the thought. He wouldn’t marry her. That was final. He would get her out of here and take her to her friends. If she married some Urlu, she would be someone else’s problem. He wouldn’t marry her himself. She was too many problems all wrapped up into one. He needed simple. He needed an Urlu girl exactly like himself, someone he could fly around with the way Fergus flew around with Hazel. That was the kind of marriage he craved, not this nightmare of unsolvable problems.

  The night wind gusted off the sea and blew salt spray into his nostrils. He would smell a lot of that as long as he stayed around this country. The smell wouldn’t leave him until he returned to Urlu.

  Just then, the roof door burst open. It slammed back, and someone sailed out before the door crashed back into its place. Callum whirled around and came face to face with Sadie.

  “Oh!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t think anyone was up here. I came up here to be alone, but I can see you must have come here for the same reason. I’ll leave you…”

  “No!” he cried. “Dinnae run away. If ye wish tae be alone, it’s I who’ll leave. Ye’ve more need tae be alone than I.”