Nicolas raised her hand high above her head, and reaching across to Duncan’s, joined her hand with his. Almost as one, all three arched their backs, their faces turned up toward the dark ceiling of the cave. Power surged through the three as they collectively focused their energy—their objective clear.
Duncan’s the link, Caitriona thought. As the power continued to surge through her, she glanced at Danika and saw her buckle against the energy spiking through her body.
The power that surged through her own body was terrifying. She arched her body, her neck craned to the ceiling as the power threatened to consume her. She lost her earthly sight as her inner eye took over and the swarm of images that had plagued her earlier crystalized with pixel image perfection. She gasped and tried to withdraw, but the power that rushed through her veins wouldn’t release her. The power swept through her body, almost painful and certainly too powerful to resist.
She was dimly aware of Nicolas’ attempts to separate them all but she was paralyzed, helpless to assist him in his efforts. She felt a scream tear from her throat as Duncan nearly crushed the thin bones in her hand. Next to her, Dani’s voice rose as she invoked the elements and the waters beneath them gushed and boiled. When she felt sure she would be consumed by the mental assault, Dani suddenly withdrew her hand, breaking the circle and stopping the flow of energy between them all. Caitriona didn’t waste any time pulling her hand from Duncan, rubbing the still-tingling skin through the protective suit she wore.
She looked at Duncan, not daring to speak.
“What just happened?” her sister asked, the excitement beginning to creep back into her voice. “You all felt that, right?”
Caitriona nodded, catching Duncan’s eye.
“Are ye both all right?” he asked, his tone guarded.
Caitriona nodded again and glanced at her sister, who was grinning from ear to ear.
“Did you two see what we were able to do?” Danika said, excitement lacing her voice. “We should try again,” she continued. “This time, we should join hands from the beginning…”
“Dani,” Nicolas’ voice was sharp.
Dani stopped talking and mouthed, “What?” to him through her protective gear.
“Is anyone going to address the elephant in the room?” His tone softened.
Caitriona remained silent. In truth, she was too busy trying to process what this latest development meant. Duncan was the missing link. His energy had completed the circle. But how? She couldn’t think about it right now. She was hot and her head felt like it was going to explode. “Please, can we just leave? I need some air,” she said quietly, her eyes never leaving Duncan’s.
Nicolas spoke quickly into the communicator unit that was attached to his suit and the little vehicles left in succession the way they had entered. When they emerged from the cave, Caitriona pressed the button on her suit and watched as the seals opened. Gasping, she tore the mask from her face and inhaled big gulps of the dry, hot Mexican air as she pushed the protective suit off her shoulders, letting the garment hang open. Let them stare, she thought angrily as she took a deep, cleansing breath and exhaled slowly through her nose. Releasing her restraints, she climbed off the craft, swaying as the last remnants of the energy she’d encountered faded from her body. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on getting her breathing and her heart rate under control.
Responding to Nicolas’ hand on her back, she looked up to see him and Duncan staring intently at her. Nicolas handed her a canteen of water and she took several sips of the cool liquid before handing it back to him.
“I don’t care what either of you say, I’m not going back in there. Ever.” She stressed the last word while locking eyes with Duncan, who she could tell was already forming his argument. She started to say something to him, but a sharp stab of pain shot up the back of her neck and exploded behind her eyes. Crying out, she put both her hands on her head trying to make the pain disappear.
“Why is she in pain?” Duncan asked, leveling his gaze on Nicolas.
Caitriona opened her eyes as she felt Nicolas’ gentle but persistent nudge in her head.
“I don’t know,” Nicolas said, ignoring Duncan’s unsaid accusation. “She hasn’t got any residual energy,” he said slowly, his eyes locking with hers.
“Just take me back to the estancia,” she begged.
Before Nicolas could act, Duncan scooped her into his arms, setting off in the direction of the horses. She didn’t argue. She was too emotionally exhausted. She nestled against his chest and only opened her eyes when he lifted her into his saddle. Pulling himself up behind her, he kneed the stallion gently and set off in the direction they had come. She watched as the guards brought their mounts next to them as they set up a vigilant watch on their ride home. And while the guards gave her some measure of security, it was Duncan she trusted with her life.
Another dagger of pain shot through her skull, although this one more subdued than the last. Still, she cried out and clutched her head. Duncan tightened his arm around her and pulled her closer to him.
“Ciunas,” he whispered. She nestled deeper in his arms, her head resting against his chest listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. The pain was diminishing but she knew from experience the dull throbs would last the remainder of the afternoon and into the evening. She sighed, her mind already replaying the scene in the cave. She felt a power in the cave—whether it was from the crystals or another person, she wasn’t certain. Was Duncan the source of the power? What did this new revelation mean? Perhaps she’d be able to go home if he was as connected to magic as she. Somehow she knew that wasn’t likely. Duncan would never let her leave.
After several minutes, she looked up at him. His warrior’s mask was firmly in place, the dark stormy shadows leaving no doubt as to his position. “You’re the link, Duncan,” she said, unsure whether to bring this up with him now. And yet, she knew they needed to discuss what had happened in the cave. He was linked to her—and to magic—and he could no more deny this now than he could the rising and setting sun.
“Aye,” he said in a clipped voice. “T’would appear so, lass.”
He continued brooding, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
She leaned back into his arms and rested her head once again on his chest. “This is a good thing, Duncan. Maybe now, Dani and I can go home. You have what you need to fight your war. We could…”
“Damnu, Catie!” he growled. The stallion tossed his head, startled by Duncan’s outburst. “Yer not goin’ anywhere,” he ground out. “We dinna ken what this means and until we do, ye and yer sister are tae stay put and under my protection.”
“You mean your control,” Caitriona snapped. She sat up in the saddle, pushing herself away from him, at once missing the warmth of his body and the strength of his arms. She shifted her weight, her actions stopped short by the pommel. She cursed under her breath.
“There is more at stake than ye realize.” His voice was low, each word punctuated.
She knew she was treading on thin ground, but this was a turning point. She could feel it and wouldn’t rest until she pressed home her point.
“Are you sure about that, Duncan?” She continued before he could interject. “The cave didn’t do anything for my powers or for Dani’s—not until you added your…energy.” She could see the tick in his jaw and knew she was dangerously close to sparking his anger. “I doubt we will be able to replicate that outside of the caves. But you may be able to tap into something inside you that will give you what you need to win your war.”
Duncan pulled on the reins, bringing the powerful stallion to a halt. He leaned into her, capturing her hair and letting it spill across his hand. She was dimly aware that the guards had pulled to a stop behind them. “I am nothing without ye, Catie.” Duncan’s voice was low, almost a whisper. “Even now, I dinna feel energy pulsing through me the way I did when I was connected tae ye in the caves. We are connected, lass. Of that I am sure.”
Caitriona
dropped her eyes, almost embarrassed over her earlier outburst. She needed this man. Every fiber of her being ached for him, longed to feel connected to him. She leaned her head against his chest, feeling the electrical pulse that animated his heart.
Duncan inhaled deeply and closed his eyes, resting his chin against the top of her head. His reaction diffused her anger and she nestled deeper. Duncan opened his eyes and smiled.
“I feel it too, Duncan. I don’t know what it means or where we go from here, but I know my path is somehow connected to yours. And, if I’m being honest, it frightens me.” She paused and waited as he wrestled with his emotions.
“Aye. An’ it does me as well. But we are too far down this path nae to see it through tae its conclusion.”
“I want to go home, Duncan.” She could feel his pained look through the slump of his shoulders. “But I want you—no, I need you—in my life. I don’t know how to marry these two truths together.”
“Och, Catie. I dinna ken either.” He leaned toward her, cupping her face, and brought his lips to hers in a crushing display of need and passion. Caitriona leaned into the kiss, her hand tracing the hard muscles beneath his shirt. His tongue grazed her teeth, causing butterflies to surface again and again. In that single moment, she lost herself. The world fell away around her; there were no guards, no Nicolas, no Dani. There was only this man who was connected to her, heart and soul.
Duncan’s stallion snorted derisively as Nicolas pulled his mount next to the powerful stallion. Duncan broke the kiss first, glowering at Nicolas, who was leading Caitriona’s mare behind him. “Come, chérie,” he interrupted. “The hour grows late and we risk much by being out here. We will make far better time if you are able to ride your own mount.”
Caitriona nodded but Duncan tightened his grip on her. “I’m fine, Duncan. I just needed some fresh air—and to be out of the cave,” she said. She could see the storm clouds brewing just under his handsome features and she hurried to diffuse his anger. “Nicolas is right. We can all make better time if I’m not slowing your mount.” It was a lie and they all knew it. Duncan’s stallion could easily bear her weight and more, but she could sense Nicolas’ growing frustration. And in truth, she wanted time with her handler to explore the events of the cave…something she couldn’t do with Duncan.
Nicolas dismounted and extended his hand to help her from the antsy stallion.
“We aren’t finished with this, Leannan.” Duncan stressed the last word. Her eyes locked with his and she nodded.
“Later, then,” she replied. She let Nicolas help her from the horse, at once missing the warmth of Duncan’s arms and the security she felt by being near him. Nicolas helped her onto Daisy’s back. Once she was settled, Duncan dipped his head in her direction and, clipping his heels against the stallion’s side, sprang ahead of the group to take up the lead.
Caitriona exhaled and turned to address her handler, who was staring at her.
“What?” she said, exasperated by his obvious irritation with her.
“I worry about you, chérie.”
“Don’t,” she tossed back. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.” Before he could retort, she dug her heels into the mare and settled herself for the long ride home.
Chapter Fourteen
“Let’s get to it then, shall we?” Hawkins gave everyone in the room a saccharine smile, clasping his hands together like a child anticipating a new toy.
“Aye,” growled Duncan. He fixed Hawkins with a menacing glare. “Why did ye call for intercession and parlay?” Duncan stressed the last word, his eyes never leaving Hawkins’ scarred face.
“I think you know why I did,” Hawkins replied. He thrummed his fingers mindlessly on the large stone table, the deadened sound lost in the vastness of the room. “Where’s the witch?” Hawkins hissed, as he leaned in close to Duncan so that only he could hear their exchange.
“Someplace where ye willna touch her,” Duncan snarled, his voice low and menacing.
Hawkins chuckled as he shook his head. “Are you sure about that, Commander?”
Duncan pushed back his chair. He wanted to choke the life from Hawkins, but his father’s hand on his arm reminded him that he needed to abide by the rules of intercession and parlay. He eased back into his seat.
“At any rate. We will settle that matter later,” Hawkins said, dismissing him. He raised his voice so that all present could hear his next statement. “There is a small matter to discuss regarding your…treasonous actions.” He swept the room with his gaze.
Duncan ignored the accusation and instead stood, a move that would ensure he garnered the full attention of every member assembled. “In the name of the universal declaration of rights, I order ye tae surrender, tae disarm yer armies, and renounce yer titles,” Duncan said. There was silence as the 13 men gathered around the large oak table waited for Hawkins’ response.
“Your witch is already marked for death, MacKinnon. You and I both know that. Burn her and be done with it. I could then forgive your…earlier transgressions, although there is the matter of your treason that you must answer for.”
“Freedom belongs tae all men and women, not just those ye’ve engineered.”
“Don’t force me to storm your castle and your lands, MacKinnon. We won’t stop there. Thousands of your men will die...perhaps even your witch.”
“Aye, thousands of mine…perhaps. But I can guarantee, tens of thousands of yours. If ye can breach the walls.”
“We’ll breach them alright, and my men will kill every one of you. But if you surrender, I will spare the lives of your men…on my honor.”
“Yer honor?” Duncan scoffed at Hawkins. “Yer honor is meaningless.” Duncan reclaimed his seat, the tick in his jaw the only evidence of the rage boiling inside him.
Both men continued to glare at each other, the hostility rolling off them in waves. As the uncomfortable silence stretched on, Hawkins broke first, squirming beneath the scrutiny of the imposing warrior.
“MacKinnon, surrender. This war is over. Why sacrifice your men to a lost cause?”
“So long as I am standing, this war is not over,” Duncan replied. “Freedom belongs tae every man and I willna lay down my sword until that essential right is granted tae us all. A right, that I remind ye, is guaranteed through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…a document ye’ve bastardized fer yer own political agenda.”
Hawkins’ gaze swept the room, indicating the men who stood with him. “We are mincing words, Commander. I could just as easily argue that when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created, it was done with a vision for humanity—a vision that clearly points to a master race. Need I remind you of the Georgia Guidestones?”
“Ye clearly have nae intention of ending this war. I’m goin’ tae ask again, why did ye request intercession and parlay?” Duncan deliberately didn’t acknowledge Hawkins’ mention of the Georgia Guidestones. The stones were erected in 1980 and provided an outline for how the world should live in peace with nature. The first edict stated the Earth’s population should be reduced to five million. It was the grounding principle for the Order’s heinous assault on humanity.
Hawkins leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “These sieges are becoming dull. Plus, I was hoping you would bring your witch to these discussions.” He pushed back his chair and abruptly stood, leaning in close to Duncan. “I must say, I’m rather disappointed. I would have thought you would have had her under stronger watch. You really should be more careful with such a rare…prize.”
Duncan stood, his arm reflexively reaching for his sword only to come up short. As per the rules of intercession and parlay, no weapons were permitted in the negotiation chambers. He glared at Hawkins, who chuckled as he moved toward the door, effectively calling their time together finished.
“Stay away from her, Hawkins. She has nothing tae do with this.”
Hawkins was surprisingly agile as he stomped over to Duncan, h
is men flanking his side.
“She has everything to do with this, traitor,” he hissed. “She is an abomination of what this Order stands for and I will not rest until I see her burned…after I’ve had my sport with her, of course,” he chuckled.
Duncan lunged at Hawkins, easily taking the man to the ground. He pulled back his fist and was somewhat satisfied when he heard the crack of Hawkins’ bones connect with his fist. He watched as a stream of blood oozed out of Hawkins’ now-mangled nose. Duncan drew back his fist intent on delivering another blow, but was stopped short by his father.
“Duncan, stop!” his father commanded, taking a firm grip on his son’s arm. Nicolas reached and grabbed Duncan’s other arm, effectively helping to haul him off Hawkins. Hawkins’ men flanked the men on either side and several Templars moved in as well.
A low growl erupted from Duncan as he fought against the hold Nicolas and Gawain had on him. Hawkins stumbled to his feet, assisted by two of his officers. Shrugging off the help of his men, he faced Duncan, swiping the back of his hand across his bloody face.
Duncan lunged again, but Gawain’s hold was firm. “Duncan, stand down,” his father implored. “Do not break the laws of intercession and parlay. You know the punishment should you be found guilty.”
Duncan shrugged out of his father’s hold, bringing his temper in check. His father was right. Straightening his sporran and kilt, he ran a hand through his hair, the strands falling in wild disarray over his shoulders. He could barely contain his anger as the nefarious leader grinned at him. Duncan watched as Hawkins found his glasses and pushed them back on his face, the thin frames sitting askew on Hawkins’ broken nose.
“Your father’s right, MacKinnon,” Hawkins hissed. “You wouldn’t want to do anything that would land you in a cell and leave Caitriona unguarded.” His thin lips pressed into a jeer, making his small features even uglier in Duncan’s book. Duncan balled his hands into fists, the effort to control himself all but making him shake.
Dark Gathering Page 11
