Shona saw the pain in his eyes and again placed her hand on his heart. What is wrong? You are sad. What has caused you such pain? I can… feel it.
He looked bewildered for a moment before concern graced his face. I dinna want ye to feel my pain. Can ye no stop it? I wilna see ye hurt if I can help it.
She began to tremble. I do not understand how I can feel this. It... it hurts. I do not like this. Please, make it stop, he’s got him, he’s going to kill him. The knife is so close and he’s going to kill him, I cannot do anything about it just like… like…
Nay, stop it lass. Let go! Ye mustn’t feel what’s inside o’ me! He threw the book to the floor, gripped her upper arms, and shook her gently. Please, dinna feel, dinna search. Ye wilna like what ye find. He pulled her to him, wrapped his long arms around her, and held her. Dinna let it hurt ye.
Shona buried her face in his chest as her body trembled with the fierceness of what lay locked deep inside him. How could this be? How could she know he’d suffered a great loss, that people close to him had been killed? What connected them this way? They both needed so many answers and only one seemed available, one thing quite evident.
They were being drawn into each other with each passing moment, with every breath they took. The stronger the thing connecting them grew, the more she could feel what was in his heart.
And it hurt.
Shona gasped as her heart lurched in her chest, the thing suddenly springing to life for no apparent reason. Oh, God, what was happening?
What is it? Can ye no hear me? Please M’eudain…
She shook her head, fighting for control, but it did no good.
Caileag! Caileag! An mi bruidhinn. Caileag eudail, taitinn!
Shona’s heart beat faster as something else inside her body began to take over. Was it the thing she had to feed or something new? The man had spoken to her again and she could still understand him, but his words now brutally cut through her heart to something beneath, another part of her. A part she had never known existed until now.
The man began to repeat his last phrase, the words burning into her.
Lass! Lass! Speak to me. Dear lass, please! He was not talking to her as before, almost as if he now spoke another language. She moaned. Whatever he was doing cut clean to her bones, ripping, tearing, flaying away the layers around what she sensed beneath her own heart.
She clutched at the arms holding her. Please, stop, I cannot take much more, I cannot control it. It wants out, it feels about to tear me apart!
He froze, eyes wide, and held her away from him, looking her over quickly as if to assess damage before he quickly pulled her again into his embrace. He said nothing, did nothing, simply stood and held her, his breathing now coming in panicked gasps. Her head pressed against his chest, she felt him swallow back his own fear.
They stood like that for what seemed an eternity, yet it couldn’t have been more than a few minutes. Or was it hours? Shona didn’t know and was too overwhelmed to care. What was happening to her? To him? It was all turning quickly into something more serious and real than even her imagination could come up with, and she could come up with some strange things.
More time passed, but she didn’t care how long. Holding him and being held were all that mattered. Some bare thread of propriety nagged at her, she didn’t know his name, who he was, where he came from, what he wanted with her and a hundred other questions she ought to have the answers to. Answers she should have had before even allowing him within ten yards of her.
But none of it mattered, not one bit. The only thing that did was him, and the fact that they were connected in some unexplainable way. It grew stronger, tighter, more solid with each second they stood in that enchanted embrace, almost as if they were becoming fused together, joining.
* * *
“Eaton, can you hear me?” Lany whispered into his communicator, barely able to suppress his own excitement. He glanced around the end of the aisle he’d hidden himself in. Dallan and the Maiden still held each other, eyes closed, swaying slightly side to side, the sight calming and exciting at the same time.
“What is it, Lany?”
He returned his attention to his communicator. “We have bonding, bonding and more bonding.” He chose his next words, knowing how his superior would respond. “Slow, natural, solid bonding.”
His pen let out what sounded like “yippee” in the background. Angus.
“Has he spoken to her yet? Are they talking?”
“Not a word as far as I can tell. Something happened about a half-hour ago, possibly her heart responding to Dallan in some way, but I can’t be sure.”
“Was she in pain, Councilor?”
Lany gave his communicator a look of surprise. “Zara?”
“Yes. Did she look to be in pain? I sensed something from her.”
Lany thought a moment. “Yes, for a moment. Was she calling?”
Silence.
“Zara?”
Nothing.
“Hello? Somebody want to tell me what’s going on?”
“Lany, listen to me carefully.” John’s voice was urgent.
“Go ahead.”
“Separate them. Do it now.”
“That’s not funny, Eaton.”
“She’s almost ready, Lany. He must have been speaking, er, uh, communicating, in Gaelic. Her heart’s sure to be fully awake after that. If Brennan’s on his way and she becomes any more ready…”
“I’ll take... wait a minute, I think it’s already being taken care of.”
“What?” John’s voice nearly squeaked with static.
“Kitty just walked by. The minute she sees them, it’ll be all over.”
“By the Creator, I forgot about her. You’ve been there over an hour. Where’s she been all this time?”
“Downstairs. Magazine rack. Men’s section. Don’t ask,” Lany answered flatly.
“Oh. Be sure to ask Dallan about the Gaelic. I have a feeling that’s what they bonded with as children. It’s what her heart will respond to.”
“I will. Ah, mission accomplished. Kitty just saw them.”
“Good. Stay with Dallan; he may have trouble recovering after the separation. If all goes well, Kwaku will have them Joined in the next day or so. Keep an eye out for Brennan. We’re on our way.”
“See you when you get here.”
“Don’t worry about that. If Dallan leaves before we get there, follow him.”
“Zara will be able to follow the Maiden?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll take care of my end.” Lany shut his communicator off and settled himself to watch Kitty Morgan disrupt paradise, not knowing who to feel most sorry for—Dallan, the Maiden or Kitty.
* * *
“Shona?”
Shona opened her eyes slowly. Had someone spoken her name?
She looked up at the man holding her. His eyes were narrowed to slits, planted on someone beyond her vision. She turned her head in the direction he was looking. Kitty stood not twenty feet away, mouth agape, staring back at him and looking very unsure of what to do.
Shona returned her gaze to him, now cognizant of what was going on. She put her hand on his heart and pressed slightly. He lowered his face to hers, tearing his eyes slowly from Kitty, as if afraid to let his guard down for even the briefest of seconds.
Please, she means no harm. She is my friend.
He looked down at her, eyes still narrowed. D’ye trust her, lass?
I would trust her with my life if I had to. She is my best friend.
Dallan looked back to Kitty. I have a friend like that. I need to tell him what is happening. Does she ken anything? What is happening to you? To me? Can she help keep ye safe?
“Shona? Are you all right?”
She looked at Kitty over a large bicep and merely nodded knowing her voice wouldn’t work right now, then gave her attention back to him. I will tell her. I trust her. I was going to tell her today anyway. I…
“Shona we hav
e to go. Your folks are probably on their way. We have to get downstairs.” Kitty took a cautious step forward.
The man softened his look and allowed her to approach. He looked from Shona, to Kitty, and back again. There are so many questions I have for ye, lass. I dinna ken where to even begin. This shouldna be real, none o’ it, but I think by now we both ken it is. We need someone we can trust. Yer in danger, lass. After yesterday ye can offer me no argument as to the fact. I want to tell ye everything, but… will ye believe me?
Shona drew in a shaky breath. At this point, how could I not believe you?
“Shona, please, we have to go. Can’t you just give him your phone number or something?” Kitty said as she grabbed one of Shona’s arms and pulled her out of the man’s embrace.
He caught her other arm and held fast, his eyes narrowed again to slits. Shona shook her head at him as she fought against both holds.
“C’mon, Shona, let’s go! For gawsh sakes, we’ll be back here tomorrow!” Kitty leaned toward him slightly. “One o’clock. We’ll meet you here, OK?"
Shona shot him another pleading look. Luckily, he caught it. He held her arm even tighter and shoved past Kitty, heading in the direction of the stairs.
Kitty let go of Shona’s other arm. “Well you don’t have to push! If you want to hold her hand that badly, all you have to do is say so.”
They reached the stairs, went down to the main lobby and out the double doors.
Kitty sighed in relief. “Oh, goodie. We beat them. Now I won’t get yelled at by Julia!”
Shona gave her a “so that’s why” look and glanced down the street. No sign of her mother’s car. They must be running late. She suddenly felt a pull on her arm. The man had backed up and now sat on a wide marble bench just behind one of the huge pillars gracing the front of the library. He still held her hand and was squeezing it, a possessive look on his face.
He did not want to let her go. And she didn’t want him to.
“Oh, look, there they are.” Kitty suddenly blurted, making Shona jump.
She turned away from the man just in time to see her mother’s car come to a stop directly across the street with Julia’s right behind. A chill raced down her spine and she shivered involuntarily at the slight tremor of fear.
The man squeezed her hand again, calming her. She looked to him and fought the need to cry by tightly shutting her eyes and holding his hand in both of hers.
“C’mon, we have to go. Look, your mom’s getting out.” Shona forced her eyes to open and glanced at her mother who stood half-in half-out of the car, waving at her. She waved weakly back, barely able to keep the tears at bay. If one escaped, she knew she’d be in for it. There would be no way to stop them.
Someone else got out of the car and stood on the curb, leaning against it with arms crossed. Shona’s eyes grew wide with recognition and her knees suddenly felt weak.
Philip!
She let go Dallan’s hand as her body jerked slightly. Philip smiled and motioned her to come. For some unexplained reason, she felt compelled to go and began to walk away, but Dallan didn’t let go.
Kitty waved. “Hi!” she shouted and bounded down the library's front steps to the street.
Shona turned and looked into the mysterious man's eyes. Please, I have to go.
What is it, lass? What’s wrong? Something frightens ye.
Shona realized that sitting as he was, he couldn’t see the cars because of the pillar. My parents and their friend are here. I have to go. Come back tomorrow?
He relaxed his hold and nodded reluctantly, then suddenly smiled as if struck by an idea. Aye that I will. He let go her hand.
She stood there a moment, dumb struck. He’d let go too easily. Or had he? It was still as though he held her, but not by any physical means. Kitty and I will be here at one o’clock.
As will I. Now ye best be off. Dinna worry yer mother.
She shook her head.
Go now, lass. Ye’ve yer business to attend to. Dinna worry, I’ll not be far from ye. He winked at her.
She smiled. Of course, the tree. She turned to follow Kitty.
* * *
Philip watched her closely, fighting the lust threatening to erupt at the mere sight of her. A sight he’d denied himself the day before. Oh, how she had grown. This was not the child he’d seen nearly eight years ago. No, this was a woman, a maiden. The Maiden. He licked his lips.
Shona approached slowly, as if unsure of him. He gave her a warm smile and opened his arms to her. “Little Shona! My God, but it’s good to see you!”
She came forward, caution in her eyes, and entered his arms stiffly. He hugged her quickly then let go.
“Are we ready?” Maggie yelled from inside the car.
“In a moment,” Philip called back. “My, how you’ve grown. I can’t get over how much you’ve changed. Your mother showed me pictures yesterday but they pale next to the real thing. You are absolutely beautiful.”
She smiled at him weakly as Julia got out of the other car. “Are you going to ride with Philip or with me, Shona?”
Shona looked from one face to the other and then pointed at her mother’s car. She swallowed hard and glanced over her shoulder in longing.
“Of course she’s going to ride with me," Philip began. "She sees you almost every day. But don’t worry. Graves and Kent will keep you entertained until we get to where we’re going.” A sudden twinge of warning pricked him and he looked around expectantly, his eyes coming to rest at the top of the library’s front stairs where Shona’s own eyes had been drawn. There was nothing but a man leaning against a marble pillar watching them with little interest. Or was there more to it? Philip looked back to Shona, his jaw tight.
“Let’s go, Philip. The restaurant won’t hold our reservations indefinitely and we still have to pick up Evan.” Maggie called from inside the car.
Philip forced a bright smile. “You heard your mother, into the car. You sit next to me and we can get reacquainted.” He ushered a still-silent Shona into the back seat and stood poised to get in himself. Pausing, he turned to Julia’s car parked behind Maggie’s and gave a small nod of his head. He then looked at the man on the stairs who now ignored them and picked at his clothing as if bored.
Graves, Philip’s longtime associate, got out of the car and went directly to him. “Problem?”
Philip narrowed his eyes at the man on the stairs as an all-too-familiar warning pierced him. He allowed Graves time to follow his stare, to let him get a good look at the man.
Graves, through with his own assessment, looked back to Philip, waiting.
Philip met his gaze and began to get into the car, but not before telling his associate in a soft menacing voice what he expected of him: two words Graves loved to hear.
“Kill him.”
Th e man that hath no music in himself,
Nor if not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treason, stratagems, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are as dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus:
Let no such man be trusted.
Shakespeare
The Merchant of Venice, Act V
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Shona held her balled fists in her lap and prayed Philip didn’t notice her knuckles were white with tension. Where was her voice? Why did it take so long for her to recover? And the mysterious man; it hurt to be apart from him.
“Well, well, well, I must say, your daughter certainly has learned the value of silence over the years hasn’t she, Maggie?” Philip’s voice had an odd tone to it as he spoke, almost as if he was conveying some sort of threat to her mother.
Shona looked at him, smiled, then offered a light shrug.
“Shona, don’t be rude.” Her mother’s own voice hinted at desperation.
What on earth could be going on? Shona swallowed hard. “I did… did not mean to be rude, Philip. It is just that I have not seen you in such a… a long time
.” Oh, thank God her voice was back. “I am sorry if I offended you.”
He patted her leg, sending a chill up her spine. “Quite all right, no harm done. Tell me, how are your studies coming along?”
She wanted to cry, to scream out her anguish. Acute longing suddenly assailed her out of nowhere. She should never have left him. What if she never saw him again? Where was he now? Still at the library? Would he be waiting for her under the tree when she got home? The thought gave her hope and the strength to answer. “Very well, thank you.”
“And what language are you studying now?”
She could see him assessing her out of the corner of one eye. She faced him boldly, back stiff. “Russian.”
“Ah, excellent. Tell me, would you like to visit Russia one day?”
“I suppose. One day.”
“And so you shall, my dear. There and a good many other places as well. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Philip. She’ll call you on them.” Maggie watched them in the rearview mirror as she spoke. Philip couldn’t see the worry in her eyes; Shona, sitting behind her, could.
“Come now, Maggie. You of all people should know that I am a man of my word. Remember, I do not make idle promises.” The threat in his voice was well muted, but Shona could hear it. She watched as her mother’s eyes narrowed in the mirror.
“Who were you talking to at the library, Shona?” Philip asked calmly.
Warning shot through her like lightning. “Oh, just someone who spends a lot of time there as Kitty and I do.”
Philip was silent for a moment. “Does this someone have a name?”
Pain shot through her, causing her warning stance to waver. She still did not even know his name. The knowledge turned her voice into a hoarse whisper. “I do not know it.”
Philip’s entire face curled into a mock smile. “Don’t you?”
“I do not know,” she repeated, voice firm once again.
His smile grew. “Well then, he doesn’t matter. What does is that I’m famished. How about you? Hungry?”
Time Masters Book One; The Call (An Urban Fantasy, Time Travel Romance) Page 30
