by Patty Taylor
Not far ahead, she spotted the rugged Highlander lying on his belly. His head and arms were hung over the edge of yet another steep cliff. She raced to his side and stopped short within several inches of his body. With her feet braced firmly apart, she concentrated all her weight on her back foot for support. Like a hawk seizing its prey, her fear of heights clutched at her guts. Panic pierced her spine. Dizzy, her stomach lurched as the hairs on the back of her neck bristled. She knelt on the ground and clutched a handful of wet grass before cautiously looking over the edge.
She spotted the young boy dangling from a scrawny branch with an arrow stuck beside it. The spear-tip wedged firmly between the crooked limb and inside the crevice of a jagged rock just out of reach of the Scotsman’s arms. The strong hand of the merciless wind slapped the lad’s body back and forth against the serrated stones, like a flag whipped in a storm. A chain of screeching black ravens circled in the darkened sky.
“What can I do to help?” she cried, her eyes fixed on the swaying boy, who struggled to hang on. The prolonged time of his weight on the weak limb, was causing it to bend.
“Colin, I canna reach ye. Hang on, laddie. I’m goin’ back for me rope.” The Highlander raised himself up, his biceps bulging. His eyes met hers. Determination was written across his handsome face.
“Wait.” She reached out and grabbed his arm. His muscles rippled beneath her fingertips. “What if the branch breaks before you get back?” She felt helpless not doing anything. “Use my body as your extended arms.” She wavered, his touch still surging through her flesh.
His face brightened at the offer. He stood, taking her hand to help her stand, and stared at her. His face appeared bewildered for a moment. “Are ye sure, lass? Ye didna ‘ave to do this. ‘Tis a dangerous thing to be askin’ of any woman.”
“I’m sure. Just hurry and get this over with before I lose my courage.” Her fingers shook tying a knot in the front of the loose shirt so it wouldn’t fall off once she was hanging upside-down. She took a deep breath and lowered herself onto the cold ground—right at the edge of the treacherous cliff.
“Are ye ready, lass?” His deep voice was filled with concern. A strong pair of hands gripped her lower legs. “I’m gonna lower yer body down slowly. Ye yell if I’m hurtin’ ye. Or if ye wish me to stop.”
“Colin, grab the wee lass’ hands as soon as ye can, lad, and hold on,” he hollered down.
Keara suddenly felt sick to her stomach. Her entire body trembled. What in bloody hell am I thinking?
“Are ye all right, lass? Ye need to balance yerself with yer hands against the rocks.”
Oh damn! I think I’m gonna be sick.
His hands tightened their grip on her ankles.
I’ll be fine, just take a deep breath, and it will be over in no time. I hope.
She peeked through squinted eyelids and gazed into Colin’s face. He smiled up at her. Her fear began to subside with the sight of hope in his eyes. His thin arms were covered with bloody cuts. She struggled to push her body away from the jagged stones.
“Lower me just a bit more,” she cried out to the Highlander above.
“Colin, grab my hands!” The teen’s fingers grasped hold of the thin, wobbling branch. His hands began to tremble. She was concerned whether the boy could hold on much longer.
Colin’s reply got muffled by a callous gust of cold wind. A chilling wet mist pricked Keara’s face. The drenched nightshirt clung tightly to her shivering body. Her eyes stung from the fresh salt water, whipped into her face by the merciless wind. She blinked several times and tried to flush her eyes with fresh tears. She desperately wanted to close them but feared she would lose sight of the boy. A fast, heavy fog was enveloping his body.
With every effort of strength, she stretched her arms in attempt to grab Colin’s hands. High waves of water rose, and snarled at their frozen bodies. She winced in panic.
Her fingers touched Colin’s knuckles. She gasped. “I’ve almost got him, just a little more.”
A cold hand grasped her wrist.
She sighed and grabbed his hand. “I’ve got you. Give me your other hand.”
She encouraged him to hold on while she struggled to get a tighter grip.
Like a melting cube of ice, Colin’s hand began slipping through her fingers. She pushed all her weight against the jagged rocks in hopes of getting a better grip. Her arms and legs scraped against the razor-sharp edges. She twisted her body. Blood trickled down her wrists.
Her fingers stretched out and grasped a handful of cold air.
Colin’s dark-brown eyes widened in fear and stared up at her. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. His innocent face centered on hers as his arms flailed over his head.
Hot tears filled her eyes. The helpless figure plummeted far below into rippling white tips of high-cresting waves. The Highlander’s piercing shouts from above echoed through her ears. The boy’s frail body had been swallowed beneath the clutches of the ocean’s currents. Powerful hands tightened around her ankles. Keara screamed right before her body was heaved back up to safety.
A heavy blanket wrapped tightly around her quivering body. Stunned at first, a soft gasp escaped her lips. The Highlander scooped her up in his arms and placed her safely on the ground behind him. Away from the edge of the cliff. “Ye were verra brave, lass. ‘Twas not yer fault.”
Too shocked to say anything, she gaped up at him. Tears streamed down her face.
“Ye stay here and rest. I’ll be back soon with the lad.”
The rugged Highlander stripped off his leather boots and woolen skirt and tossed them in front of her feet. She heard her own quick intake of breath at the sight of the taut muscles of his legs, his firm, bare bottom. Her strong attraction for the man, particularly at a time like this, was disturbing. She stared, helpless. The incredible man surprised her again as he dove off the cliff. The splashing of water was the last sign of him.
“It’s too late,” a wispy voice whispered in her ear.
Keara turned her head. She hesitated, confused at what she thought she heard.
“What a pity for the boy. Duncan should have listened to me.” A woman started to laugh.
Keara’s gaze darted around and she didn’t see anyone. Clutching the Highlander’s discarded skirt and boots in her hands, she jolted and ran toward the steep slippery path, which led to the bottom of the cliff. She must hurry before it was too late. Sheer panic swept through her body as she feared a tragedy was about to befall Colin and the Highlander
That voice. It sounded familiar. But from where?
“The boy’s fate can’t be changed.”
Keara flinched at the tone of the eerie voice chasing her. Tight knots twisted in her stomach. Confused, she ran as fast as she could, swallowing deep breaths of salty air into her lungs. She glanced uneasily over her shoulder, anxious to escape the sinister woman’s invisible presence.
Keara reached the bottom and found wet turf leading to another steep drop to the sea. Short of breath, she stopped, bent over, and grabbed her knees. Over the roar of wind and crashing waves of the sea, the entire horizon danced with fire. Sunrays lit up the sky. The ocean became calm. Dark clouds rolled away with a strong gust of wind. A crash of thunder bellowed high above.
“Damn that Duncan McCord,” the voice spit harshly, her words racing overhead. “He’s still too late to save the young brat.”
The wretched voice cackled once, and then it was gone.
“Duncan.” Keara whispered his name for the first time and touched her chapped lips. She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand trying to focus on the sparkling water for any sign of the Highlanders.
The screeching ravens circling overhead were the only things in sight.
“Duncan! Colin!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. “Please, by
the Goddess, at least one of you answer me.”
Grief ripped through her heart. She now feared the worse. The sweet image of Colin’s innocent face combined with the rugged features of Duncan’s profile raced through her mind. Her knees buckled and hit the ground. She lowered her head and fought back hot tears. Her fingers gripped the woolen skirt and held it next to her face. The strong masculine scent of her new Scottish friend still lingered in the soft, heavy fabric of his kilt. The thought of never seeing either one of them again left her with an enormous feeling of emptiness. She could barely swallow the lump now stuck in her throat.
Chapter 5
Whoosh!
A loud splash caught Keara’s attention. Startled, she gasped. A high-soaring white water spout cascaded into a rainbow waterfall before it hit the ocean. Iridescent bubbles floated between frothy whitecaps.
Massive seals popped their gray, whiskered heads above water. First one, and then another until they formed a complete circle.
A glistening blond head emerged from the sparkling blue center of the ring of excited seals. With her gaze mesmerized by the optical illusion, she found it hard to focus on the serious situation at hand.
“By the Goddess, this can’t be happening.” Her mouth dropped open. She wiped strands of windswept hair from her face, trying to fathom the unfolding spectacle.
A grand set of fins wiggled and splashed above the waves. Shimmering sunlight danced off the woman’s lavish golden hair emerging from the water. Her elegant facial features were those of a beautiful fine-porcelain doll, and her beaming smile radiated a serene nature, bringing to mind the exquisite doll Keara once owned as a child.
A necklace made of elegant pearls and colorful shells was draped around the woman’s neck. They shuffled about her profuse, bare breasts. A multihued spray of scales began at her navel and spread to the tip of her wide tail.
The mermaid’s eyes sparkled like diamonds. Her gaze locked with Keara’s, her smile reassuring, as if she were trying to tell Keara everything would be all right. With a swift nod, the mermaid went about her task. She leapt from the ocean, diving headfirst before disappearing beneath the waves. The seals barked in commotion.
Within minutes, the mermaid’s head sprouted from beneath the strong currents with two bodies clutched in her hands. Like a motor boat’s propeller thrusting water to the sides, her tail spread an open aisle through the powerful waves.
One seal followed close behind. The creature sprang from the ocean to the steep bank, sliding toward Keara, drenching her with cold water and almost knocking her over.
It flapped its fins and lowered its long, narrow nose. Keara swore the black glass-mirrored eyes winked at her. Fingers poked through the seal’s flippers, as the creature began shedding its skin. A gorgeous, unclothed young woman now stood on top of the crumpled sealskin. She knelt at the edge of the bank and lifted Colin’s unconscious body from Duncan’s arms, bringing him safely to shore.
Within seconds, Duncan’s virile body stood between herself and the seal woman.
“He’s gone. None of you can help the lad now.” The wicked voice returned, echoing above the crashing sounds of the threatening waves.
The shiny black ravens swooped lower.
Keara flinched from their shrill screeches.
“Damn ye to Hades, ye hackit witch!” Stark-naked, Duncan stood with his legs spread apart. He shook his fists at the birds, his face grim and marked with cold fury, his mouth donning an unpleasant twist. “I promise, witch, ye’ll regret the day ye was born.”
Wicked laughter thundered directly above them.
Keara knelt on her hands and knees and placed her head next to Colin’s pale face. The boy wasn’t breathing.
“Move out of the way.” Keara shoved at Duncan’s massive legs. Helpless, the giant of a man stared at her. Water dripped off his rigid chest onto Colin’s face as he hovered over the small, stilled frame.
The Highlander dropped to his knees and cradled Colin’s head close to his chest.
“I know CPR.” Her gaze locked with his. “Duncan! You must move out of the way so I can try to help save Colin. If you don’t move, he’s going to die.”
Somehow, she needed to make the Highlander listen. She pushed her hands against his massive chest one last time.
He nodded absently, his brow creased with concern before he laid Colin’s head back on the ground. He stood and stepped back.
Keara’s fingers shook as she pried open Colin’s mouth. She had to make sure nothing was blocking his airway. She lifted his chin and tilted his head back.
The ABC’s are airway, breathing, and circulation. She took several deep breaths and tried to remember the basic training she completed years ago.
She began performing CPR on Colin, sensing Duncan’s gaze centered on her the entire time. His presence seemed to help calm her. After several minutes of repeating the procedure, water spouted from the teen’s mouth. She leaned his body on his side.
Colin gasped and began coughing.
Bloody hell, the woman’s hysterical.
Duncan hesitated before yanking the irrational woman off his nephew. His gut feeling told him to wait, that she was only trying to help. Conflicting emotions raced through his head.
Water spluttered from Colin’s mouth. Dumbfounded from witnessing his nephew being brought back to life, all he could do was stare at the stranger kneeling on the ground. With her arms wrapped around her chest, she held her head down with her eyes closed.
“Uncle?” Colin sputtered and coughed.
Duncan bolted to Colin, his knees buckling. He helped the teen sit up. His arms securely wrapped around the boy’s shoulders to support him. “Are ye all right, lad? Ye gave us a bad scare. What in heaven’s name were ye thinkin’, hangin’ off the side of that cliff?”
Colin peered up at him. Some color was returning to his face. “I was looking for our arrows when I got p-pushed off the cliff and caught hold of the one of the shafts that got wedged in the rocks.”
Duncan’s body stiffened. His mouth twisted and he clenched his jaw. The evil bitch was keeping her word and acting on her threats. Disturbed that her malicious vengeance would go as far as to harm a young lad, he knew she would stop at nothing now.
Once Colin stopped coughing and appeared safe enough for the time being, Duncan stood and strolled over to the woman. She must be a powerful witch. Not even Gabrielle can bring someone back from the dead. He bent and grasped her quivering shoulders. Her face was pale and her body trembled. Afraid she was still weak and might collapse, he needed to get both her and Colin back to the campfire quickly.
The selkie appeared by his side, handing him two blankets and nodding in the direction of his mermaid friend.
The lass appeared in some sort of trance while he wrapped a blanket tightly around her shoulders. He picked her up and carried her over beside Colin and handed the boy the second blanket. “Do ye think ye can keep an eye on our friend for a wee bit longer, lad? I need to do something before we head back.”
Duncan strolled behind the selkie, stopping at the edge of the steep bank. The beautiful young woman snuggled safely inside the seal’s shed coat was returning to her natural form. The creature hurdled itself into the ocean.
“I’m in yer debt.” Duncan crossed his arm against his chest.
The mermaid smiled, then nodded and pointed toward Keara. No words were spoken, but her message came through loud and clear. No, my friend, not mine but hers. She’s special. You must help her accept what she struggles to know is truth.
Duncan pivoted to the side and studied the stranger’s pretty, but fragile, disheveled appearance. Puzzled by her unfamiliar accent, not to mention her outlandish clothing, there was still something peculiar that attracted him to her. He felt the inexplicable bond of energy flow between them when they
touched.
“I’m afraid ye’re mistaken. That young woman is not only a witch but a mighty warrior. I dinna think there is anything I could do to help her.” He found that he was talking to himself as he turned to find his undersea friends had already vanished.
Duncan sighed and headed back toward the two lost strays, now stuck in his care. After everything that had happened today, he didn’t think things could get any worse. Tomorrow was sure to be more challenging.
Keara slouched and grabbed her knees. She swayed, as if someone had pulled the grass out from under her feet. Cold chills raced through her veins. Exhausted from all the excitement, her body’s adrenaline must have finally given out. Overcome with nausea, she had to throw up. Damn, this time I’m gonna be sick.
She tried to steady her legs as she spied an enormous boulder. Taking a deep breath, she covered her mouth with one hand, clutched her stomach, and ran. Words of concern and gratitude between the Highlander and the mermaid reached her ears. Right before she leaned over and heaved.
A strapping hand rested on her shoulder. The touch was gentle and reassuring.
“Are ye all right, lass?” His voice filled with concern.
She turned to face a fully dressed Duncan. A concerned expression clouded his face. He’d brought a blanket with him.
“I’m fine, thank you.” The disturbingly strong presence of her new attraction to this man washed over her. Catching sight of his broad, muscular chest, she glanced away, heat coursing through her cheeks.
