Once he’d reached a safe distance, concealed by the shadows of the forest at night, he glanced back. The man had retrieved his staff and waved it as he shouted at the woman.
Alec descended into the boughs of a tree to watch. When she cowered, raising her arms up to shield herself, his heart lurched. Gargoyle instinct pierced through the desperate urge to fly away.
The man didn’t strike her, though. He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her inside the cabin. What was he going to do? Punish her?
It was because she had helped him.
Alec had to do something.
But, what? He couldn’t fly for shit, so there’s no way he could swoop in and carry her out of there. Not that he wanted to face an opponent while listless and unarmed. Alec guessed it was the lingering effect of the curse. Hopefully, it would fade.
It better fade. He couldn’t function in this half-state of existence.
At least, he wasn’t imprisoned.
But, if he returned there, he might be.
He stared at the closed cabin door. His imagination traveled to dark places as he envisioned the man punishing her.
Bloody hell, he’d have to wing it. He groaned. A well-thought out plan suited his sensibilities better, but he didn’t have much to work with in this situation.
“Ah, fuck it.”
He had to take a chance. Instinct compelled him to act, no matter how much he might regret that decision.
“What are you doing?” Veda cried.
Kai pinned her with his body as he attempted to tie one of her wrists to the bedposts No matter how she struggled, she couldn’t wiggle out of his grasp.
“What do you think? You betrayed me. Do you think I’m going to let that go unpunished?”
His eyes gleamed with fury in the candlelight of the cabin. She’d never seen them so cold, so unfeeling, with all the menace directed at her.
She couldn’t let him fasten the other wrist. If he did, she’d be helpless, trapped here. She wiggled her hand and kicked up at him, but his damn weight pressed down on her, preventing her from making any progress.
When he fastened her wrist with the thin rope, she groaned. “How dare you treat me this way? I thought we came here as partners.”
Kai slid around and grabbed one of her legs. “Funny, you didn’t act like a partner when you went against my will.”
“You cursed a man in stone!” She moved her foot in circles. No way was she going to make this easy for him. “Do you think I could stand by and let that happen?”
“He was spying on us. Do you think I’m going to let that happen?” He fastened her leg and glared at her.
Oh hell. Her breath turned to jagged pants. Had she made a mistake in freeing the man?
“What happened to you? I thought coming here would make things better. You promised that it would be a new start, without all the stress and politics and drama of the coven.”
He leaned back. “And betrayal by those I thought I could trust.”
“So, what does this mean? I’m your prisoner now?”
“You need to learn a lesson.” He stood and raised an index finger as he backed away from her.
Her heartbeat stuttered. “And what’s that?”
“Never betray me.” His voice was laced with warning. He spun and grabbed items off the table, shoving them into the pockets of his black cape.
He couldn’t leave her here like this. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to find that spy you released.”
Damn it. If Kai caught up with the gargoyle, he might be in worse shape than if he’d remained in stone.
“Don’t,” she begged. “Let’s find another way.”
She pictured the gargoyle. His magnificent black wings that spread around him like a god. His upper chest was bare, and full of bronzed contoured muscles. He wore a blue kilt like a Scottish warrior of a bygone era. And when their eyes had met after she’d freed him…
She couldn’t explain what had happened. It was the strangest of sensations that flowed through her, like they formed a connection in that instant.
Maybe it was just an effect of the magic she’d used, and somehow it had enchanted her for a moment.
Whatever it had been, it wasn’t important now. The gargoyle was gone. Kai was going after him. And she was tied up.
Had she made an epic mistake in helping the gargoyle, sealing both their fates for a darker end?
Kai strode to the door and grabbed his staff. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“You can’t do this!”
He exited and slammed the cabin door behind him.
Veda let out a shaky laugh. What now? Her fate might not be any better than the man’s. Kai’s temper was legendary, and his lust for vengeance had been growing.
She wiggled against the restraints. She contorted her wrists and ankles to painful angles, hoping to slide out.
“Oww!” The thin rope burned her skin, and it didn’t relent its hold one bit.
She’d have to think of another way. She glanced over at the table. It was piled with supplies. A small knife was likely in that pile, out of reach, tormenting her.
What a fool she was to leave their coven in the Taurus Mountains to come to the Highlands with him a few weeks ago. He’d painted images of Scotland as a land of enchantment. If they could find the crossing of ley lines, they’d be able to tap into a wealth of magical energy. They’d imbibe it like the sweetest of nectars and their abilities would grow.
He’d convinced her that it was the best option for her future, rather than staying with the coven. She’d fallen under the spell of that picture and the promise of an exciting new life. And it had been, for the first week or so, until he grew frustrated with the lack of progress in their searches. But during the last couple of weeks, she’d questioned her motives in joining him here. What they had between them was merely a journey. A partnership in pursuit of magical growth. It wasn’t love. And their goals veered down different paths. She wanted magic for good, to help people, yet he’d been trekking down a darker path seeking power.
She glanced at the bindings at her ankles. What now? When would he release her?
With that terrifying glint in his eye, it likely wouldn’t be any time soon. Nothing could calm him in that state, but time. Twisted by vengeance, he was blind to reason.
Oh damn. Her heart pounded as her mind conjured a dark outcome.
He could leave her here to die.
Coming here had been a mistake. Hopefully not a fatal one.
Alec surveyed the cabin from his vantage point in the tree. The wooden exterior didn’t reveal anything. The small windows didn’t provide him a view of anything other than bare walls. What the hell was going on in there? Was the man hurting her? Did she even need help?
Ah, fuck. At the very least, he had to ensure she was all right.
What exactly could he do? Much of this situation was a mystery to him. Any decision was wrought with murkiness from questions he couldn’t answer.
It looked like he was on his own heading unarmed into a battle. And for whom? A witch? Perhaps he was insane. One fewer witch in the world the better.
But, still, she was in her predicament because she freed him.
He grunted. As he climbed down the tree, his heart pounded.
When the door of the cabin opened, Alec stepped back to hide in the shadows behind an oak tree. The man closed the door and glanced into the sky, turning a full circle. Was he searching for Alec in flight? Probably. He crouched lower to blend in with the foliage’s cover.
The man ventured in Alec’s direction. Of course, that was where he’d last seen Alec head.
Alec stepped with light feet parallel to the edge of the forest, away from the man. If he could avoid being detected, he might have time to check on the woman. If she was all right, he was out of there. Job done.
It was a half-assed plan, but at least he no longer had to face the man in the cabin.
The trek across the fores
t floor stretched on with agonizing slowness. He kept his gaze on the ground and his steps light to avoid treading on any twigs that would give away his location. The waxing moon above shined down on him like a searchlight through the trees.
The man’s footsteps lightened as he ventured deeper into the forest. Alec crept to the break in the trees. Once he had enough room to extend his wings, he soared sluggishly the remaining distance to the cabin, and uttered a silent prayer that the man hadn’t set up a trap that Alec was flying right into.
He landed near the cabin door. After a few seconds, with nobody jumping out of the darkness brandishing a staff, Alec breathed easier.
He headed to the window and peeked in. The woman was tied to the bed. Her cape lay open and spread around her, disheveled, as a sign of struggle.
Rage erupted in him. He fought the urge to surge into the woods and hunt the damn man down, tearing him to pieces.
No. That wouldn’t help the woman. It wouldn’t help either of them if the man turned Alec back into a stone statue again.
Or, attempted something worse.
Shite. It wasn’t time to wrestle with decisions. It was time to act.
“Hello,” he whispered. “It’s me.”
“Who?” Her gaze traveled to the window. Her eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”
Good question. “A proper cup of tea would be welcome.”
She blinked and jerked her head. “What?”
“Kidding.” He grinned. “I’m here to rescue you.”
Chapter 3
Veda’s eyes widened. Had the gargoyle truly returned to rescue her?
After he opened the door, she asked, “Are you mad?”
He shrugged with a half-smile. “I’m wondering the same thing right now.”
She blinked and shook her head. Was he joking at a tense moment like this?
“It seems only right considering you’re in this predicament because you freed me,” he added.
True. Perhaps she hadn’t thought through the consequences when she’d acted. “But, he’s out looking for you. If he finds you…”
“Then I won’t let him find me.” He attempted to loosen the knots in the rope fastening her wrists.
“Knife.” She raised her chin in the direction of the table. “Over there.”
He hurried over to the table and shuffled through the contents on top of it, scattering a hawk’s feather. “Where?”
Ugh, it was a mess. Neither she nor Kai were meticulous about cleaning up.
“I don’t know. Somewhere there. Hurry!”
“I would if I could. There’s so much crap here.”
Her heart trembled. What if he had taken the knife with him? They’d be wasting time looking for an object that couldn’t be found.
“Never mind,” she said. “Go back to trying to untie me, please.”
He turned back to her, but paused. “Found it.” He raised a knife with a victorious smile.
She exhaled. It wasn’t the one she had in mind. This was tiny. It would take infinitely longer to make progress.
Still, it was better than nothing.
“Okay. We don’t have much time. He could be back at any moment.” She glanced at the door.
He sliced the fibers of rope that kept her restrained. While he focused on his task, she stole a glimpse at his face. His eyes were a honey brown and intense as he concentrated at the task. His eyebrows were dark and thick, much like his hair, which had a hint of red and fell to his chin. His nose was strong as was his jawline. And his lips were carved in a sensuous line.
A shiver of heat tickled her nerve endings, vanishing deep within her core.
A sudden awareness of their closeness came over her. They were alone. She laid across the bed. With her cape open, only the thin cotton of her dark dress covered her, leaving her exposed. Sensual images of them on the bed invaded her mind.
“Got one.” He raised the piece of rope with a victorious smile.
She shoved the inappropriate thoughts from her brain. What the heck was wrong with her?
With her arm free, she shook her wrist, releasing the tension. He moved around to the other side of the bed and started on the other one. She wiggled her feet. Why? It wouldn’t help. All it managed was to increase the soreness with the friction of the rope biting into her flesh.
After he freed the second wrist, he moved down to her ankle. She pulled herself upright, searching out the window. It only revealed the barest sliver of the outdoors with the trees in the distance. At least, Kai’s face wasn’t there, glaring at them as he waited to strike with his staff.
Oh, how she hated that thing. He was the only one in the coven who used one. He’d said he wanted a vessel to harness his magic.
She attempted to untie her other ankle, but the rope was too tight. It would have to be cut, and they only had one sharp object between the two of them. She leaned back on her forearms. While the man attended to her leg down at the end of the bed, she fantasized about him kissing her ankle and moving up higher…
Seriously, what was wrong with her?
Think of step 2, not hot stranger who came to your rescue.
Right. If this man freed her in time, what should she do next? Getting away from here was key. But, Kai would likely hunt her down. He would consider her betrayal unforgivable.
And would make her pay.
Her heartbeat pounded out the seconds as she waited for the man to finish the task. Once both legs were freed, she jumped out of bed.
“Come on.” She grabbed his wrist. “We have to get out of here before he returns.”
“You read my mind.”
Once outside, she circled around to search for Kai. When she turned back to the man who’d come to her aid, his black wings were outstretched behind him. Spectacular.
He opened his arms. “Hold on to me.”
She took a hesitant step backward. “Why?”
“So, I can fly us out of here.”
Fly? No way. “What, are you mad?”
His eyes widened, and he peered at her like she was the one out of her mind. “It’s the quickest way out of here.”
Her hands turned clammy as a tendril of panic swirled in her gut. “But, we’ll be in the sky. I could fall.”
He nodded his head. “I understand. You’re afraid of heights. Don’t worry, I haven’t dropped anyone—yet.” He smirked.
He was teasing her. She grimaced. “Funny.”
“Veda!”
Hearing Kai roar, she spun. He waved his staff, and sparks flew from it.
“Now!” The man swooped for her.
She gasped. In the next breath, her body was pressed against his several feet above the ground as his wings flapped, bringing them higher.
“Oh, gods!” Her pulse drummed like the hooves of a stallion galloping over the plains.
She clutched his back and wrapped herself around him as if she were a serpent. Highly inappropriate behavior with a strange man, but modesty fell away in the desperation to flee.
Kai howled as he blasted a lightning-like bolt of fire at them.
The winged man cried out as his body lurched. “Fuck!”
He loosened his grasp on her for a moment, and she shrieked.
“Hold on!” He tightened his grip and beat his wings more quickly.
As he flew them away from Kai, the scent of singed flesh reached her nostrils. Sparks crawled over one of his black wings, marring their sleek obsidian with destructive orange flames.
“He struck your wings!” she cried.
“I’m well aware of that.” He gritted his teeth.
Kai let out a string of curses. Another bolt of light danced across the onyx night, reaching for them like a spindly claw. She pressed her chest against his as she hugged him. They had to get away. Quickly! His wings were already damaged. Another strike might send them both crashing to the earth.
Certain death.
Although the beat of the damaged wings slowed, the man continued. His face was
a mask of pain and determination.
She didn’t want to look down and see how high they were, but she had to. Kai appeared smaller now, and she could barely make out his silhouette. Yet, the fiery light that curled toward them left no doubt he hadn’t given up.
She squeezed her eyes shut. When she reopened them, the light was fading. They were far enough away that it couldn’t reach them.
The man’s skin under her fingers turned clammy. She glanced at his face.
He was sweating, under immense strain. “Can’t hold on much longer.” He lurched, as if to punctuate his point with turbulence.
She squealed. “You have to. We’re in the air!”
They were too high up. If he couldn’t keep them airborne, they’d crash.
And, they might not survive.
Chapter 4
Alec struggled to stay in flight, but his wings were too damaged. They’d already been sluggish to maneuver with the lingering effect of the stone curse, and the scorching burns exacerbated the aftermath of the spell. The simmering burn increased with an intensity that not even the cool night air relieved.
He’d managed to evade the full hit directed at his torso when the man had brandished his staff and aimed lightning-like bolts of fire, but the ripple of searing heat grasping him signaled Alec hadn’t fully escaped.
The burns that had scorched them echoed with a throbbing pain he couldn’t ignore. He pushed through it to flap his wings through the night air, carrying them both far away from the man trying to kill them.
Alec glanced down at the ground ahead. Hopefully, they were far enough from the madman who would strike fire at them like a hunter shot at defenseless prey.
“We’ll have to land,” he told the woman who clung to him.
She’d wrapped herself around his body as if he were the only thing anchoring her to a chance of living. Which, in this case, he kind of was.
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