The tear in his pants and undergarments was huge. Red faced, he quickly pointed his exposed posterior in another direction. The hysterics behind the curtain got louder.
Shona ignored everything except the man standing in front of her. She smiled shyly up at him. Hello.
“If ye leaves now, I wilna press charges.” Angus snarled, trying to pull his pants together.
“We didn’t mean to do any damage!” Kitty wailed back.
The mysterious man stepped away from the counter and held his hand out to Shona. Are ye hurt, little one?
Shona had forgotten she was still down on one knee and stared wide eyed at the hand he offered. I am all right.
“I swear my father will pay for any damages.” Kitty began to dig through her purse. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and hit the edge of a shield, which rested on a loaded crossbow. It fired. The cross bolt flew into the air, past Angus, over the front counter, and through the heavy curtain beyond.
“OW!”
Shona slowly brought her hand up to the large one waiting for her.
Kitty was practically in tears. “Here, my dad’s credit card! You can make a list of the damages.”
Shona’s hand drew nearer. The mysterious man took a step forward and offered his other hand to her as well.
“Just get out! Ye’ll kill one of us for sure!”
“Living stars, I’m bleeding,” a voice mumbled from behind the curtain.
Shona’s hands were engulfed by the man whose simple gaze still held her captive where she stood. Amidst the chaos and flying weapons he gently led her from the shop to the street outside.
Love turns all the wheels of human industry,
Is the motive power under the world’s machinery,
Makes worth while every enterprise on the earth,
Is coeaqual with life, outlasts death, and reaches
Onward into heaven.
Margaret E. Sangster
CHAPTER TWENTY
To hold her, even just her hand, was glorious. Dallan could barely suppress his excitement as he led her from the shop out into the street beyond. She followed a bit tentatively at first, her hand pulling slightly in his, but he didn’t let her go. No, he would never let her go. He couldn’t.
If he did, he knew he might die.
He looked deep into her eyes as they walked, searching for any fear, and smiled warmly upon finding none. She was beginning to trust him.
Dallan headed up the sidewalk. He kept the lass between himself and the buildings, still wary of the ‘cars’ that sped up and down the streets around them.
Where are we going?
He stopped, looked down at her and swallowed hard. I dinna ken.
She leaned closer to him and began to stand on tiptoe. Dallan put an arm around her before even thinking to stop himself. He heard a strange sound and realized it was coming from the lass.
She sang softly, barely audible as he stared blankly down at her, sweat popping out upon his brow for the third time that day. Come with me.
He continued to lead her, not knowing or even caring where he went so long as she was with him. He came to where two streets met and began to cross. The lass nearly yanked his arm out of its socket.
No! Her warning screamed inside his head, heart, through his entire being.
A large car barely missed him. Another step and… Dallan gazed down at her. Thank you.
The light was red. You cannot cross when the light is red. She leaned into him again.
I didna ken. The streets were empty last night, hardly any o’ the cars out, I…
Last night? Is that when you came?
Came?
She looked shyly away, allowing her eyes the chance to wander. Came to my house. Did you come to my house in the middle of the night?
He hooked a finger under her chin and forced her eyes back to his own, capturing her. He smiled at her warmly. Aye lass. I did.
You were there most of the night?
Dallan’s eyes softened. ‘Twas past midnight when I found it. I was on foot.
On foot?
Aye, little one.
Her breathing began to pick up. As did his. Why did you come? Where do you live? How can I understand you? I am afraid.
Dinna fear, lass. I wilna hurt ye. I came from across the river. ‘Tis not far.
Trapped in his gaze, unable to move, she stood and let him hold her. You walked all the way from the east side of the river to my house in the middle of the night?
He shrugged, Aye.
Her eyes filled with concern. Why?
Dallan tightened his hold, his brow furrowing. ‘Tis needed, lass. I… I dinna ken why. I only know yer not safe. Yesterday in the library… His face took on the now-familiar gentle sternness. Did they hurt ye? Did they…touch ye?
The tender, fierce look he held in his eyes touched her more deeply than anything she could have possibly imagined. At that moment, Shona knew she would always be safe with this man. No, they did nothing but frighten me. They were unable to hurt me this time.
The man’s mouth tightened. He took a deep breath as his eyes narrowed to slits. This was not the first time? Who were they? And what happened the other time? How did they hurt ye? Tell me and I swear they wilna ever see the light o’ day again. If they ever so much as set foot anywhere near ye…
Shona raised a hand to his chest and placed it over his heart. No, it is over. They bullied me, and..." she shook her head as if trying to clear it. "What they did is past. They… please, I am confused. I still do not understand this. How am I able to understand you? Who are you?
He didn’t answer, but grabbed her hand and pulled her across the street. After they had walked another two blocks he stopped, glanced about himself and gave her a sheepish look. Where is the library, lass?
Shona pointed straight ahead. She had thought that was where they were going anyway. She had no idea he was lost. Not far. Only a few blocks away.
He turned to her completely and took her other hand in his. When we get there, I’ll show ye who I am. But ye may not believe it.
I will believe you. I know I can believe you.
When they reached the library, he ushered her inside the building and cast another sheepish look. She smiled at him. What do you need?
Have they got a place where they keep the history records?
History records?
Aye, books about things that happened a long time ago.
How long ago?
He almost opened his mouth but stopped and stared blankly ahead a moment then raised an inquisitive eyebrow. Weel, I suppose that would depend on where, or rather, when we are now.
What? I do not understand you.
He captured her with a gentle look of concern. Tell me, what year is this, lass?
Year? Nineteen ninety-five. Why?
Now his mouth did drop open. Why that good-for-nothing, bloody…He shook himself. I am closer than I supposed. Only three hundred or so years off.
I do not understand…
I want the records of the seventeenth century. Can ye show me lass? Can ye take me there?
Shona was now thoroughly confused. What kind of history? American, European, Asian? Are you looking for something specific?
He looked sad for a brief moment. Aye, lass. Show me… Scotland, late seventeenth century.
That would be upstairs on the third floor. Right where we were yesterday.
Dallan raised a hand to her face and gently stroked one cheek with the back of a large finger. Show me.
Shona shuddered at his touch, then took his hand and led him upstairs to the history section, and hopefully the answers to a lot of questions, questions that continued to accumulate each time she was with him.
* * *
“Master Lany! Help!”
Lany limped out from behind the curtain and took in the damage wrought to Angus’s shop. Debris lay everywhere. Shields, lances, two mangled suits of armor, at least a dozen spears and a huge mace covered much of the
floor. Another mace, bigger than the first, sat surrounded by shattered glass in the middle of the broken front counter. Arrows were stuck in various parts and pieces of the shop’s décor, including the one still protruding from the heavy curtain behind him.
He winced and turned to Angus who, backed into a corner, was batting at a wailing Kitty Morgan with one hand like she was an annoying fly. She ignored him and kept going on about damage lists, insurance, and her mother’s cousin who was a judge. Lany decided he’d seen enough. No one, not even Kwaku—well, maybe Kwaku—should be subjected to such torture. He knew he had to put a stop to it, fast.
The Maiden and Dallan were nowhere to be seen. But he could feel her, and she was quickly becoming overly enamored, calling softly. The couple was bonding quickly. The thought bolstered his courage to save poor Angus.
“…And my mother’s cousin is a judge, did I tell you he was a judge? Well, if you insist on pressing charges then I’ll just insist that he get this case and I know he’ll see that I didn’t mean to do anything harmful to you or your store.”
“Uh, excuse me?” Lany took a chance and got a little closer, picking up a fallen shield. Just in case he needed it.
“I mean it’s not as if we meant to do any harm. You see, Shona bumped into the spear rack over there and knocked one of them over.”
“Oh, miss? Miss? I think your friend left.” Lany raised the shield in a protective manner and took a few more steps closer.
“…It’s not like she meant to push the silly things over. They just went, or at least one of them did.” She waved her hands everywhere as she talked.
Angus had fallen into a cringing crouch, his hands covering his bruised head. Or was it his ears? Lany thought he heard prayer, earnest prayer coming from the poor old Scot. He took a deep breath, placed the shield even higher and let her have it. “Miss! I think your friend left!”
Kitty, suddenly startled, spun toward the sound. “Excuse me? Did you say something, sir?”
“I believe your friend has left.”
She stared at him blankly for a moment before searching past him. “Friend? Oh! Shona? My gawsh, where is she?”
“Safer than we are,” Lany muttered as he bent to a now-moaning Angus.
“But I haven’t settled the matter of damages yet. My father would be upset if I didn’t get this straightened out.”
Angus looked at Kitty, emitted a moan and sank to the floor. Kitty took a step closer.
“I’d be more concerned about your friend if I were you. She didn’t leave alone.”
“My gawsh, we’re supposed to meet Whatsisname and Shona’s parents soon! Where could she have gone?” She raced for the door of the shop.
“Wait a moment,” Lany ignored Angus and went after her, grabbing her discarded purse. “You forgot something.”
Kitty turned to him. “Oh, thank you. I’ve got to hurry. I hope she went to the library. That’s where we were supposed to meet them. I’m sure she did. She said he wouldn’t hurt us. I hope she was right. There are so many freaks and crazy people out there, you know. Shona’s… well, her, oh, I don’t know what you’d call him, but he’d have my hide if I didn’t have Shona there on time. Her mother told me once he could be very temperamental.”
Lany took in all she said and came to an unsettling conclusion. “And his name is Philip, I suppose? People with that name tend to be very temperamental.”
Kitty’s mouth dropped open in absolute amazement. “Why yes! That is his name! Wow, I didn’t know that! Of course, I’ve never known anyone named Philip, so how could I know?” She shook her head, still utterly amazed.
Lany fought against a moan. “Well, if you’re going to catch them…”
“I’ve got to get out of here!” She burst through the door and ran up the street, out of sight.
Lany sighed and turned to Angus. “It’s safe. You can get up now.”
Angus opened one eye, then the other, and slowly got to his feet. He surveyed the damage and sadly shook his head. “At least I dinna ha’ to worry overly much about the loss. ‘Tis old junk. Zara can always get me more.”
Lany looked around. “This won’t take long to clean up. Front counter got the worst of it. I’ll help.”
“No you won’t.” John entered the room slowly, his eyes wandering over the mess. “Kwaku and I want you to follow Dallan. And make sure he doesn’t push the Maiden too fast.”
Lany closed his eyes, concentrating. He couldn’t feel her anymore. “I think you may have the same problem at both ends.”
John shot him a puzzled look.
“She’s bonding to him faster than he is to her.”
“You can feel it?”
Lany shrugged. “Sometimes.”
“Good. I don’t understand how you do it, but good. Follow them. Just watch from a distance—you know Dallan doesn’t like to be observed too closely. And I’m a little nervous about Brennan. Find out where they’re taking the Maiden. Dinner, home, what?” John’s eyes widened. “I certainly hope it’s not the symphony!”
“How can he follow, Lord John? We dinna even know where Dallan has gone with the lass.”
John thought a moment. “He’ll take her to a quiet place. In all probability, the library.”
“But how can ye be sure?”
Lany answered for his superior. “Because Dallan will want to take her someplace where he can be sure. Someplace familiar. He’s comfortable there and it’s not far.”
“Get going, Lany. Find out what you can. Contact Kwaku and I later, and I’ll take care of the Maiden while you stick with Dallan. He’s going to need our protection too, if my guess is right, and this bonding business has a way of muddling the brain from what I’ve heard. Kwaku said Dallan might not be as careful as he ought to when alone.”
“But what about the wee Maiden? If he’s getting addled by the bonding, won’t he be just as careless with her? She’s still in danger. Can he protect her?” Angus stepped over a pile of armor, his face full of concern.
Lany chuckled lightly. “Dallan’s not about to let anyone near her, not after what happened yesterday. You weren’t there, you didn’t see him.”
John froze. “By the Creator, I hadn’t thought of that.”
Lany and Angus threw each other the same curious glance. John caught it and approached them. “Be doubly sure to keep your distance while Dallan’s with her. He may well get to the point where he thinks we pose a threat to the Maiden. If that happens, one of us might,” John winced, “get an unwanted bruise.” He looked right at Lany, who now stood wide-eyed and tight-lipped. “Get going, and good luck.”
Lany nodded reluctantly and headed for the door, wondering how on earth he always managed to end up in the position of ‘Most Likely to Get Pulverized’. It just didn’t figure. But, as Cari often told him, whatever did?
* * *
Shona led Dallan around the third floor, confused and a little wary. How could they communicate like this? Was she imagining it? But he had asked her for something specific. Wouldn’t it prove she wasn’t crazy if he pulled out a history book of Scotland?
He followed her as she proceeded down an aisle, reading the titles as she went. She stopped and turned to him. All these are Scottish history. I am afraid you will have to search for what you want. There is probably a little of what you might be looking for in all of these.
The man scanned the rows she indicated, sighed, took her hands in his and looked deeply into her eyes. If I tell ye who I am, you’ll believe me?
She took another step forward and rested a hand on his heart, then looked into him through his eyes, searching, capturing him as he did her. Yes, I will believe you.
He took her hand from his chest and gave it a light squeeze. Let me show ye then. But I’ll tell ye now, lass, I’m not sure I believe any o’ it. Without releasing her hand, he turned to the rows of books and began to search the titles one by one, occasionally pulling one from the shelf only to cram it back into place, as if not wanting to se
e what was inside.
Shona followed along behind him, the earlier wariness gone, replaced by warmth that started at the hand he held to spread through the rest of her body in total contentment. Unable to help herself, she drew as close to him as she could, leaning against his arm and throwing him another shy smile.
He looked down at her, and after a brief moment smiled back. He removed her hand from his, hooked her arm through one of his own and giving her hand a tender pat, continued his search.
Shona again let him lead her down the aisle, not caring about anything. The overwhelming contentment was like a drug, the odd sense of being connected to him in some way growing stronger by the minute. Not to mention the strange feeling that she knew this man from somewhere, sometime. She couldn’t remember where or when, but he was becoming more familiar the longer she was with him. Frustrating. The knowledge of who and what he was seemed almost at the forefront of her mind, just out of reach. If she wasn’t so happy right now, she might well be going mad not remembering from where she knew him.
He suddenly stopped short and Shona heard the breath catch in his throat. She looked up at him and saw his eyes wide with an emotion she could not identify. Loss? Regret? What is it? What is wrong?
He wrinkled his nose and sniffed slightly. His free arm rose slowly and stopped, his hand poised in midair, opening and closing with indecision. He swallowed once and carefully touched the book, then pulled it off the shelf as if it were a time bomb about to explode.
Shona watched with concern in her eyes as he stared at the cover. The book was a paperback, rather new-looking, and she wondered why it was affecting him so strangely. He looked at her and turned the book so she could read the title. One word graced the cover in bold, black print.
Glencoe.
She glanced at his face, not able to read his expression, then back to the book. This is what you need? Can you use this to explain what is happening to us?
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I dinna ken if it will explain what is happening to us, but I’m almost afraid it might explain something I’ve wondered about for a verra long time.
Time Masters Book One; The Call (An Urban Fantasy, Time Travel Romance) Page 29
