“Price?” Evan choked out.
Lany hurriedly looked over at Angus. “Price?”
Angus grinned. “Dallan’s being fair wi’ him, Master Lany, granting him his rights as her father. He’s bargaining for a bride price. ‘Tis customary. Let the lad do it his way.”
Evan stood in stunned silence, not quite comprehending what Dallan was after.
“D’ye wish gold, land or both? For if ye do, I canna pay it. If however, ye wish the price of honor, trust and duty, then yer in luck.” Dallan grinned. “I just happen to ha’ some o’ that with me.”
Angus turned away, his mouth buried in one hand. “He’s a MacDonald, all right.”
John and Lany watched Evan slowly grasp what was offered. He nodded and held his hand out to the Scot. “When?”
Dallan took his hand and gave it a fair shake. “Tonight, most likely.”
John stepped forward, caught Evan’s eye and nodded.
“Mags doesn’t know yet, and I don’t think Shona is ready for this.”
“Can you help us convince her?” John offered.
Evan shook his head again. “Boy, am I tired. All these years of waiting, not knowing if my daughter would be in her bed in the morning or gone, never to be seen again. All those nights, pacing, knowing how different she was and yet never understanding why.” He looked to the four men before him. “She was meant to do something special, wasn’t she?”
John smiled and nodded. “Very special, with Dallan. They are both destined to do a great many things, for all of us.”
Evan glanced at Dallan who stood as before, arms across his chest, weight leaned on one foot, waiting. “She needs her music. Lots of it.”
Dallan nodded. “Aye.”
“You don’t happen to sing, do you? Shona loves to sing.”
Lany and Angus both unnecessarily cleared their throats, earning a dirty look from John.
Evan was distracted for a moment then turned back to Dallan. “Where are you taking her?”
Dallan looked to John who merely nodded. “Home.”
“Where is home?”
Dallan smiled lightly. “Here. After a fashion.”
Evan gave him a curious look before his final decision reflected in his eyes. “Will we be able to see her again?”
“If it is at all within my power, ye shall.”
“She’ll miss Mags. They’re, uh, very close.” Evan absently glanced at his watch, his emotions pooling in his eyes. “This is hard. I guess it would be easier if everything wasn’t so unclear. Who do I trust, you or that pervert Philip? How do I know you don’t want her for the same thing he does?”
“I do.” Dallan’s words surprised everyone; as all eyes widened or narrowed in confusion. “The difference is she’s meant to be with me. ’Tis my heart she holds with her own, not his. I can take care o’ her. He canna. With me, she lives. With him, she dies. Make yer final choice, sir, though I ken ye already have.”
Evan nodded to him. “I have.” He looked over the rest of the company. “Philip is taking us all out tonight. We’ll be home late. I’ll talk to Shona, help convince her this is as real as it gets.”
“She knows well it’s real. ‘Tis her acceptance of me and my proposal she must be willing to believe and take. She canna be forced, but I’m afraid there isna any time for lengthy decision-making either.”
“I hope she’s up to this. And Mags. What am I going to tell her?”
Dallan put a reassuring hand on Evan’s back. “’Tis hard, man, but for the lassie’s own good. Yer wife will help if ye explain things to her. We need all the help we can get. The sooner I can take the lass, the better.” Dallan removed his hand and looked at Shona’s father with the utmost seriousness. “Ye ken she’s dying, d’ye no?”
Evan’s eyes slowly rose to meet Dallan’s. “Then save her.”
Dallan gripped him in his gaze. “I will.”
* * *
Kwaku slipped silently up behind Kitty and Tomy. The two women never realized he stood watching them from a few yards away, arms crossed over his chest, eyes bright with mischief.
“Lordy! Did you see all that? Shona let him kiss her!”
Kitty sighed. “Yeah wasn’t it great?”
“Great? We don’t even know this guy!”
“What business is it of ours? Her dad sure didn’t seem to mind. He let him kiss her, never stopped it or anything.”
Tomy huffed. “He didn’t get there in time to stop it.”
“He got there just before he kissed her the second time and you know it.”
Tomy snorted at her. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going back to the car and see what the story is. I still can’t believe she let him do it. She should have hit him again!”
“Where’s the romance in that?”
Tomy turned on her with a pleased look. “Exactly!” Without turning around, she headed for the parking lot.
Kitty watched her go then turned her attention back to what lay beyond her hiding spot. The mysterious man still spoke with Evan Whittard while three other somewhat familiar men stood to one side conversing amongst themselves.
“Happy day to you, little one. See someding interesting?”
Kitty tripped over her feet as she turned to face one of the tallest men she’d ever seen. He seemed to go on forever in height and his huge frame literally scared her to death.
She offered a weak smile. “G… gawsh, sir, you startled me.”
Kwaku chuckled low in his throat, took a step back and bowed gracefully. “Forgive me, my little treasure. I did not mean to frighten you.”
Kitty moved away from the hedge and looked up into his beaming face. A strange sensation of familiarity came over her and she began to study him with the tiniest bit of interest.
Kwaku chuckled again and studied Kitty with more than just interest. She suddenly felt as if he’d been able to read her entire life’s story. “I think I’d better go, sir. My friends are ready to leave.”
He laughed in a tender manner, his voice deep and oddly soothing, then gave her a wide smile. “Your friend, she likes de Boyeee, yes?”
“De… the boy… eee?”
He laughed louder, clearly amused at her imitation of him. “Yes little one, de Boyeee. She is attracted to him and he to her. Dey are very hand-some togeder, yes?”
Kitty looked over her shoulder. Shona’s father was still conversing with the man from the library and the others. She turned slowly back to Kwaku and gave him her own look of assessment. “You know him?”
He burst out laughing, but not as loudly as she thought he might, almost as if he didn’t want the others to hear. “Of course, my little treasure, I taught him every ding he knows. He pleases your friend, yes?”
Kitty smiled slowly and nodded still unsure of him.
“And she will please him as well.” He studied her a moment wearing a father’s tender yet serious smile. “You will miss her. And she will miss you, little treasure. But perhaps her mate will bring her to you now and den.”
Kitty continued to stare at him, his eyes holding her in a loose embrace of sensation, as if he’d placed a blanket about her shoulders and pulled her into himself. Her breathing slowed and her body became almost weightless. She knew she never moved from where she stood, yet could swear she drew closer to the tall man in front of her. Maybe he was moving toward her?
His voice dropped in pitch, its sound silkier than before, his face enveloped in complete serious intent. “You want what your friend now has, yes?”
Kitty knew her mouth moved, yet no sound escaped. The word she tried to push out was “yes.”
The Time Master nodded and smiled as he bent down to her face. “Soon, my little treasure, you too will have what you hunger for.”
He got even closer, his voice an irresistible lure. She wanted it, craved it, needed to hear and feel it. She couldn’t get enough and desired more. What was happening?
“Yes, listen to me, little one. You will have what y
ou need and soon. But you must stay pure, keep yourself white as de whitest snow. Let no man touch or take you, for you are a treasure word far more den de riches of Solomon himself.”
He bent even closer and put his mouth right next to her ear. “And dis, my little treasure, is what de Creator would have you do.”
And Kwaku Awahnee whispered to Kitty Morgan her future in a language as ancient as time, one he had not spoken for many years. A language reserved for two people alone, himself and the only other being allowed its utterance. A language he would have to teach to another soon, so that he too could speak and teach with it. A language Kitty had never heard and did not understand yet recognized.
If one were to ask her, she could never explain what it was, except perhaps that something embedded itself deep inside her while he spoke, his words hiding themselves within her heart. His voice calmed her into mental submission, filling her with the odd tongue of a forgotten people.
Preparing her.
But for what, Kitty had no idea, and, after the Time Master finished speaking, would never know.
Until he wanted her to.
* * *
Lany let go a deep sigh. “Well, that about wraps it up. I’m starved, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate. Let’s eat!”
Evan Whittard left the small company to take Shona home and hopefully, help explain the bizarre chain of events that had taken place over the last week, not to mention the last several years. At last, he could be counted on as friend against a hideous foe.
“Aye, I’m wi’ you, Master Lany,” Angus piped up. “I could eat a horse, I’m so hungry.”
“What do you say, Eaton? Early dinner, pick up the Maiden, have the Sutyne ceremony, get the happy couple some privacy and streak on outta here at dawn?” Lany spoke and rubbed his hands together in satisfaction.
John ignored him and stared at a seriously contemplative Dallan, who still watched the empty path both the Maiden and her father had taken to depart. “Dallan, everything will be all right now.”
Dallan’s eyes never moved. “Nay, John. ‘Tis far from over. Until I have her safely away from this place and she is fully mine, the lass isna safe. I know it.”
John threw a confirming look to Lany who caught it with his usual grace. The Assistant Councilor stepped to Dallan and placed himself in his direct line of vision. “You need food and you need rest. You’re no good to her weak and you know it. If things come to a fight between yourself and Brennan, who do you think she’s going to want to win? Certainly not him.” Lany smiled mischievously. “Besides, you uh, well have a long night ahead of you.”
A Scottish eyebrow rose slowly as comprehension dawned, and was quickly joined by its mate. “A long night, ye say?”
Lany folded his arms and nodded, his smile widening.
Dallan too, smiled. “And I suppose I’ll need my strength for more than fighting, eh?”
Lany’s smile grew even broader. “Dallan, it’s good to know you’re not that naïve.”
Dallan actually chuckled. “Aye, lad, yer right.” He leaned down and whispered, “And though I ken that was the lassie’s first kiss, ‘twas not mine.” He winked.
Lany lightly lauged, turned from Dallan and gave Angus a puckish smile and determined wink of his own. Angus made quite a show of clearing his throat. John stepped over to Dallan. “What did she give you?”
“Give me?” Dallan began, as he pulled the envelope from his shirt pocket. He stared at it a moment, then carefully opened it.
“What is it?” Lany asked, peering at the small rectangle of paper in Dallan’s hand.
“I dinna ken.” Dallan handed it to Lany, who quickly scanned the oddity.
“Oh, living stars.” Lany’s voice was laced with a slight hint of panic.
John closed his eyes and braced himself. “What is it now?”
“Eaton, this is a ticket.”
“Ticket? Ticket for what?”
Lany caught John’s eyes as they slowly opened. “Tonight’s performance of the Royal Scottish Players of Edinburgh. At the city’s Symphony Hall!”
John blanched. “Symphony! Great bells, what will that do to the Maiden?”
“What does this mean?” Dallan asked, warily.
Angus scratched his head and sighed. “It means we eat now, get ye dressed and go to a concert.”
Dallan raised a brow.
Angus smiled. “It also means ye can wear yer kilt, lad.” His eyes narrowed. “And yer weapons.”
Dallan nodded. Things were indeed far from over.
Place me like a seal over your heart,
Like a seal on your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
Rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love,
It would be utterly scorned.
Song of Songs 8:6-7
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Well, you two look like remnants of the last war. What happened? A few beasts play tug of war with your clothes?” Brennan’s voice, though amused, came out a hiss.
Graves took a deep breath. “I’m still not sure.”
Brennan looked calmly from one black-and-blue form to the other. “Well, I am.” He walked to a table, picked up a newspaper and threw it to land at their feet. “The next time I give you a task to complete, try to be a little more discreet when you fail!”
Graves and Kent exchanged a quick look before glancing to the paper on the floor before them.
The front page stared back.
“Nothing to say, gentlemen? In this case, I should hope not. It’s bad enough you botched this up, but I had my own little confrontation to contend with earlier today, and it would have been nice if you’d been around rather than wasting valuable time being bested by a boy!”
“He was no boy, sir,” Kent volunteered.
“I know. I also know you should have been able to handle the situation.” Brennan sat in a chair, crossed his legs and stared coldly at the two men. “I trust you packed evening wear?”
Graves nodded for both of them.
“Good. We are to attend the symphony tonight and I don’t want anything to go wrong this time. No interruptions. I will be with the Whittards and Julia. Your job is to keep anyone and everyone away from us until the concert is over.”
“What about what you said before? The earlier confrontation?” Kent asked, cringing slightly.
“Oh, that,” Brennan sighed. “An old friend from times past paid me a visit.” He chuckled to himself, “He’s still a fool.”
Graves, genuinely curious as to why the man still lived, retrieved the paper from the floor and asked, “What do you mean? He may be trouble. Why don’t we take care of him?”
Brennan grinned, obviously pleased with himself. “He owed me a debt. I decided to collect it. I saved his life once a long time ago. He has graciously agreed as payment not to interfere with what I came to do. A fool’s bargain.”
“What makes you think he will keep it?” Graves asked, wincing as he took off his torn jacket.
“As uncivilized as the man is, he still has enough honor to hold up his end. And I will thoroughly enjoy watching him squirm beneath his warrior’s codes and Azurti ethics. I’m going to make him suffer as much as possible.”
Kent began to painfully peel out of his own 'lion-rent' clothing. “How?”
Brennan smiled up at him wickedly. “Unbeknownst to him, I’ve already taken almost everything he holds dear. And now, I will take what little he has left.” He smiled again, this time to himself, as he stroked his neatly trimmed beard. “His two most prized possessions.”
* * *
“Gee, I wish I could go with you. I love the symphony!” Kitty zipped up the back of Shona’s dress then stepped back. “Turn around.”
Shona turned, the green skirt
of her dress making a loud swishing sound as she did.
“Wow, you look great!” Kitty chirped and gave a little clap of her hands. New clothes, even if not hers, made everything seem normal again. “Do you think he’ll go?”
Shona smoothed the ankle-length satin and began to look for her shoes. “He will come.”
“I hope so. Your dad is sure worried.”
Shona slipped her shoes on and sat wearily upon her bed, her dress rustling loudly. “I know. So am I.” She threw Kitty a hopeless look. “I have never been so confused in my entire life.”
Kitty plopped down next to her. “Your dad knows what he’s doing, Shona. Trust him.”
“I do, but he still has not explained to me what is going on. All I know is that something is wrong with Philip and that Dallan is… well… Dad wants me to leave with him in the morning if not sooner. But he has not told me where to or why.”
“Dallan? That’s his name? Oh that’s a great name. I’ve never heard it before.”
“Neither have I.” Shona smiled. “He is Scottish, Kitty.”
“Scottish? You mean with the accent and everything?”
Shona nodded and sighed heavily. She was tired, weary and… hungry.
“Where is Dallan going to take you?”
“Dad never told me. He only said he wanted me to go with Dallan to get me away from Philip.”
“If your dad doesn’t want you around Philip, then why are all of you going out with him tonight?”
“I do not know. I did, however, overhear Dad telling Mother he wanted us all to be together one last time, even if it did mean with Philip.”
“He makes it sound as if you’re never coming back.”
Shona looked to Kitty again with a worried expression. “Kitty, what if you are right?”
“How can that be? Why wouldn’t you come home?”
“I do not know. But I intend to find out.” Shona stood, checked her dress and freshly braided hair one last time, then headed for the door. “Let us go. The sooner this night is over, the sooner I will know what is going on. I hope.”
Time Masters Book One; The Call (An Urban Fantasy, Time Travel Romance) Page 41
