by Grant, Donna
“That should help Ruth a bit, aye?”
He smiled, showing several missing teeth. “They call me Jobbins.”
“Good morn, Jobbins. I’m Jayna.”
“You speak like a lady, Jayna. Are you sure you should be out here alone?” he asked looking around.
Jayna laughed. “Come, Jobbins. ‘Tis cold and your granddaughter needs her food.”
Behind her she heard Jobbins coaxing Ol’ Ruth to get moving again. Surprisingly the mare did move a bit faster. Jayna didn’t like how she worried about the mare or Jobbins. It had been a long time since she had interacted with people, and she hadn’t expected to feel the ache for her family after so long.
She wasn’t given long to dwell on her thoughts as they reached the massive wooden gates of Stone Crest castle. Jayna slowed her steps until Jobbins was even with her. She hoped the old man would vouch for her when the menacing looking guards stopped them.
Yet, the guards called to Jobbins by his name, as they asked about his family and even how Ol’ Ruth was holding up in the weather. Never once did they ask about her, though one of the guards did watch her suspiciously.
Jayna walked with Jobbins through the gate and into the bailey. She let her eyes roam around the large enclosure as she continued to follow him. Her heart raced with anticipation. Gabriel was in the castle. He was so close she could almost feel him.
At long last she would have her revenge.
“Jayna, lass, Ol’ Ruth and I sure do appreciate yer help this cold morn’,” Jobbins said as he stopped the cart. Jayna opened her mouth to tell him it was no problem when several children ran up.
She watched Jobbins with his great-grandchildren, the love he held for them shining brightly in his eyes. Jayna felt her eyes begin to sting and she hastily blinked and turned to find a young woman standing beside her.
“Good morn,” the woman said.
Jayna glanced at the woman to find her black hair pulled back in a neat plait and her figure slightly plump from childbirth. “Good morn.”
“Did Grandda talk you into helping him?” she asked with a friendly smile.
Jayna returned the smile. “Nay, I insisted since Ruth was having a hard time. My name is Jayna.”
“Thank you for your help. I’m Lizzie,” she said as she took one of the bags out of Jayna’s hand. “Every winter I expect it to be Ruth’s last, yet every season she lives on. I’m not sure what we’ll do when that mare finally does leave us.”
With the children helping Jobbins and Lizzie, the small cart was emptied of food within no time at all. Jayna stood by Ol’ Ruth and petted the tall mare as Jobbins argued with Lizzie about leaving. Lizzie finally got her way and convinced Jobbins to stay for a while.
“I need to see ta Ol’ Ruth,” Jobbins said.
“All right, but make sure you come straight back. There’s no reason for you to be staying by yourself in those hills when there’s room for you here.”
Jobbins tsked, but Jayna could see he liked his granddaughter’s attention. “Thank ye again for all yer help, Jayna. If ye ever need anything ye can find me here or in my cottage in the hills. Ye cannot miss it. Just follow the road and then take the left fork.”
Jayna waved as Jobbins walked Ol’ Ruth to the stables. With a deep breath, she turned toward the castle and stopped dead in her tracks. Coming toward her was none other than Gabriel.
She had wondered if she would be able to recognize him after so long a time, but he hadn’t changed at all. His tall frame still bulged with muscles and his gait was that of a man with a purpose. His face no longer held the boyish charm it once did, and instead was closed and unforgiving.
With one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other arm swinging beside him, he made his way toward her. Even from the distance she could see his molten silver eyes, eyes that had once held warmth and promise now were as cold and hard as a lake in winter.
Jayna made herself walk toward him. It wasn’t time for her to attack. First, she needed to study him, to get close to him.
He was nearly upon her when she raised her gaze to his face. She knew he couldn’t see within the hood of her cloak, which was the only reason she allowed herself a glance at his face. It was leaner, harder. And his hair was longer, well past his shoulders now.
As she drew alongside him she could still make out the red strands mixed with the varying shades of brown. A smile pulled at her lips as she moved past him.
He was within her reach. Just a little more time and then Gabriel would die.
* * * *
Gabriel stopped in mid-stride. He turned and looked at the woman that had just passed him. There had been something familiar about her, something that nagged just out of memory. Which was distinctly odd since he had seen nothing of her face.
He watched as she disappeared amid the people of the bailey, and though a part of him wanted to follow her to discover who she was, he knew it would be folly. The Shields needed him more than he needed to satisfy his curiosity.
“Well?” Cole asked impatiently as Gabriel walked up.
Cole had been found by the Fae as well, though the reason he couldn’t remember his realm is that he had been but a small child and the realm had been destroyed by the Great Evil.
“Val and Hugh haven’t returned from their look to the east. I searched the forest and found where someone had stood all night.”
“Did you smell any evil?” Roderick asked.
Gabriel leaned against the thick curtain wall that surrounded the castle. “A faint whiff, nothing definite.”
Roderick growled and raked a hand down his face. “Cole and I searched the south woods and found nothing.”
“Did you venture to the monastery?” Gabriel asked.
Both men shook their head. “I think we should all search there.”
“Maybe so,” Cole said as he leaned against the stones with his hand. “I don’t like that place, and I don’t think Mina nor Elle wish to return any time soon.”
“They don’t need to,” Gabriel answered. “I think it better if the four Chosen stay inside the walls of the castle.” As he looked at his two friends he realized something else as well. “You both should stay and protect your mates.”
Roderick shook his head. “I’m not going to leave you, Hugh, and Val to fight this evil alone.”
Gabriel pushed away from the wall and looked at the four women as they walked from the castle laughing and talking like old friends. He wondered what it was like to find a connection to the past, something or someone that would help to heal the void within him. The four Chosen had found that in each other and they were as close as if they were sisters.
“Nay, that’s not what I mean, Roderick,” he said. “All of you need to defend your mates.”
Cole’s dark eyes narrowed on him. “We are brothers in his, Gabriel. You cannot fight this alone, nor will I let you.”
How could Gabriel tell them that he knew he had to fight this alone, that his four friends must protect their women in order for the evil to be vanquished?
“We haven’t even found the evil yet,” he said in answer to Cole. “Until we do, it’s all a moot point.”
“Speaking of the creature,” Roderick said. “Don’t either of you find it strange that it hasn’t shown itself yet?”
Gabriel nodded. “I’ve been thinking on that. Before, the creatures have always been large and powerful, beasts that no ordinary man could defeat.”
“True,” Cole said. “First the gargoyle, the Harpies, a Minotaur, and then the Griffon, a beast so pure it was thought never to turn evil.”
“Yet it did,” Gabriel said. “Each creature has been more powerful than the last.”
“What are you getting at?” Roderick asked.
“Just as Aimery told me last night. We need to look for the unexpected. This is the Great Evil’s last chance to end this and gain power.”
Cole smiled as understanding filled his dark eyes. “The Great Evil isn’t going to send us a mythol
ogical beast to battle.”
“He’s going to send us something we’d never suspect,” Gabriel finished.
Roderick whistled. “By the gods, what are we going to do?”
“Keep the women safe,” Gabriel said.
“Easier said than done,” Cole muttered. “All I hear from Shannon is that she wants to help us hunt the evil.”
Gabriel glanced around the bailey hoping to see the cloaked woman again, but many wore black nondescript cloaks, making his search in vain.
He turned back to his friends. “Have the women stumbled across anything that would show them what they needed to do to kill the Great Evil once and for all?”
“Nay,” Roderick answered. “They try not to show it, but I know they’re frustrated. All of them assumed that once the fourth was found, they would have the answers.”
Cole inhaled deeply. “You’ve the right of it. Shannon said they’ve tried nearly everything they can think of, but nothing seems to work. She’s afraid there will come a time when they must band together and none of them know what to do, which will mean the Great Evil will win.”
“I wish he had a name,” Gabriel mumbled. “I want to see his face, to know what he is.”
Cole grinned. “You always were more prepared once you got a look at the creatures.”
“I’m not sure seeing the Great Evil will aid us,” Roderick said.
“Meaning?” Cole asked.
Roderick turned away from watching his wife to look at his fellow Shields. “Meaning, Gabriel is right. No matter what, we won’t be prepared for whatever is sent to us, even if it’s the Great Evil himself.”
“True,” Gabriel admitted. “However, I think it’s the not knowing that is eating away at everyone.”
“The not knowing what, or when,” Cole corrected.
Roderick nodded. “You’ve the right of it, Cole.”
“Well, I need more,” Gabriel said. “I’m heading out to the monastery.”
“I’ll come with you,” Cole said.
Roderick crossed his arms over his chest. “You think there’s something there?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I have no idea, but because two battles with the creatures were at the monastery, there might be something there.”
“Good luck then,” Roderick said. “I’ll stay behind with the women. I don’t like leaving them alone.”
“Keep them together,” Cole said over his shoulder as he followed Gabriel to the stables.
As the two men hurried into the stables, the stable boys moved out of the way since they all knew the Shields liked to saddle their own mounts.
Gabriel had just finished fastening his saddle and mounting when Cole walked his horse up.
“Ready?”
Gabriel nodded. “Ready.”
They clicked their horses into a trot and rode out of the dimly lit stables into the bright morning sun. The horses snorted, creating clouds out of their breath. Gabriel’s eyes roamed the bailey, though he wasn’t sure what he looked for.
They approached the castle gate and Cole called out a greeting to the guards who hastily opened the massive structure enough so that they could pass through.
Once they left the bailey and heard the gate close behind them, Gabriel nudged his mount into a gallop. Winter had England firmly in her grasp as was evident by the blanket of white on the ground and the ice covering the lakes.
It wasn’t until they reached the line of trees at the edge of the forest that Gabriel felt it. He pulled back on the reins and brought his gelding to a stop.
“What is it?” Cole asked as he drew alongside him.
Gabriel’s gaze roamed over the castle. “Someone is watching us.”
Cole chuckled. “It is probably nothing more than a servant or one of Stone Crest’s people seeing what we are about. I’ve never seen you so edgy before,” Cole said as he moved his horse into the forest.
Gabriel hesitated a moment. He wasn’t uneasy by nature, but he couldn’t stop the niggling in his mind that something was going to happen. To him.
And it wasn’t going to be good.
Chapter Four
Jayna stood atop the battlement and stared after Gabriel and the other man as they rode to the forest. When Gabriel stopped his mount and turned to watch the castle, she knew he had felt her gaze.
And she was glad of it.
She was curious to know if he could feel his impending doom. Just the thought that he might be a bit frightened brought a smile to her lips.
It was hard for her to admit, even to herself, that seeing Gabriel for the first time since...well, since he ruined her life had upset her more than she had thought. She hadn’t known exactly what she would feel, but the excitement of finally capturing her prize had outweighed the fear of seeing him again.
Laughter from the bailey below reached her. Jayna drew her thin cloak tighter around her and looked over the side to see four women huddled together laughing and talking.
At one time she’d had friends, people she could laugh with and spend time with. But that was before Gabriel. Now, as she stared at the four beautiful women, she felt a pull within her, a longing for her old life she hadn’t felt in many years.
Suddenly one of the women looked up at Jayna. She had eyes the color of a clear blue sky and long auburn hair pulled away from her face in a thick braid.
“Hello,” the woman said.
Jayna jerked and realized she was staring. She gave a nod to the woman and turned away. When she glanced at the forest Gabriel and the other man had rode into the thick trees.
For so long Jayna had been on her own, keeping to herself at all times. She realized that might not have been the wisest choice since she would have to mingle with the people of Stone Crest in order to get close enough to Gabriel to kill him. And then get out before anyone realized she had been the one to kill him.
“Excuse me,” a soft, feminine voice said from beside Jayna.
She turned her head and saw the woman from below standing beside her.
“Forgive me,” the woman said, her accent different than any Jayna had ever heard. “I don’t mean to intrude, but you look so lonely up here. Would you like to join me and my friends?”
Jayna found that she was afraid to speak. The woman was so poised and elegant that Jayna knew she would look crude and inept in front of this woman. At one time, Jayna had been the most graceful of women, but time had a way of changing people.
She finally shook her head and began to turn away when a hand touched her arm.
“It’s cold,” the woman said again. “Come inside and warm yourself by the fire for a bit.”
Jayna hadn’t realized she was shivering until that moment. She had been concentrating on Gabriel so hard that everything else ceased to exist. Just then her stomach rumbled.
The woman’s smile never faltered as she stared at Jayna. “My name is Elle, and as I’m sure you have guessed, I’m not from here.”
Jayna licked her lips. This woman was obviously a lady and would be able to get her close to Gabriel, therefore completing her mission early. “Thank you,” she finally said. “I’m Jayna.”
Elle’s smiled widened. “What a pretty name. It’s so feminine and strong at the same time. Come, Jayna,” she said and held out her hand. “The others are anxious to meet you.”
Jayna wasn’t sure what she had gotten herself into. She knew how catty women could be at times, but Elle seemed genuinely friendly, and, God help her, but Jayna needed a friend.
She took Elle’s hand and together they walked down the stairs to the bailey and then into the great hall where the other women were already seated at one of the tables.
“Elle, you did it,” said a woman with hair so black it nearly shown blue and a thick Scottish accent.
Another woman with strawberry blonde hair only nodded as she smiled. “I knew she would. She’s very tenacious.”
Elle laughed and came to stand at the head of the table. “Allow me to introduce to you Jayna.”
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Jayna felt four pairs of eyes on her and began to grow nervous. One slip with these women and she would be kicked out of Stone Crest and her one chance to kill Gabriel would be gone.
“Good morn,” she said.
“I know you won’t remember their names, but I’ll introduce you,” Elle said. “To my right is Nicole, who is from Scotland. Beside her is Shannon.”
“Hello,” Shannon said.
An accent different from Nicole’s, but similar to Elle’s, Jayna noted. She made a mental note to remind herself that Shannon had the wavy brunette hair and soft brown eyes.
“I’m Mina,” said the woman with strawberry blonde hair and the most unusual blue-green eyes. “I’m mistress of Stone Crest, and I would like to welcome you to my home.”
Jayna swallowed and pushed back the hood of her cloak so that everyone could see her. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Elle pulled her to the table and Jayna found herself sitting between Mina and Elle. Trenchers of food were brought and placed in front of them. The smell of the warm food made Jayna’s mouth water and her stomach grumble loudly.
“Was that your stomach again, Shannon?” Nicole asked.
Shannon laughed. “I can’t help it that I like to eat, but as a matter of fact, it wasn’t.”
“I think we might be frightening our guest,” Mina said and slid a glance at Jayna.
“Not at all,” Jayna assured them. “I do apologize, but it was my stomach you heard.”
Shannon grinned at Jayna before she threw Nicole an ‘I told you so’ look. “They’re used to me eating a lot, Jayna, so don’t hold back.”
“You have such an unusual accent,” Jayna said after she had swallowed her first delicious bite. “Where are you from?”
She didn’t miss Shannon trading a look with Elle. Both women became very focused on their meal, letting Jayna know they were hiding a secret.
“It’s very far away across the seas,” Shannon finally answered.
But Jayna wasn’t fooled. She knew they were keeping something from her, but it wasn’t like she didn’t have secrets of her own. She almost laughed aloud when she imagined their faces if she told them she wasn’t even from their time.
