Time Masters Book One; The Call (An Urban Fantasy, Time Travel Romance)

by Geralyn Beauchamp

  “I’ll do much worse than hurt her if you refuse.”

  “What of Dallan?”

  “I will set him free, of course. But only if you submit to me. The choice is yours. I strongly suggest you decide quickly. My trigger finger is…”

  He stopped abruptly and looked to a point somewhere behind her. Shona slowly turned to see what had caught his attention. A door was the only thing on the wall behind her, a door that someone was trying to open from the outside. She spun back to Philip.

  “Stay right where you are, Shona. Not a sound.” He pushed the gun further into Kitty as a warning, eyes intent on the door. “More guests.”

  Shona looked back to the door which was slowly being opened with a key. She again glanced at Philip. His eyes were narrowed to slits, his mouth twisted into a sadistic grin. “Do come in, gentlemen. I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Shona watched Lany Mosgofian’s face pale in surprise at the statement. He had one foot in the door, a hand on the knob and an odd looking pen which he held like a weapon.

  “Come in, please. All three of you, and yes, I know there are three. I can feel each one. Also, be so kind as to discard your laser, sir. Or I will be forced to eliminate someone. At this point, I don’t care who.”

  Lany entered carefully, John and Angus close behind. Shona could sense the anger and despair in each, and obviously Philip could as well. His face beamed with wicked satisfaction as the three men ushered themselves into the room. “So we meet again, gentlemen. So good of you to come, I knew you would.”

  “Think of everything, do you?” Lany commented dryly. “How like you.”

  Philip laughed. “Oh, you’re a clever one. Discard the laser. Now.”

  Lany made a face and threw the odd pen across the room.

  “Good man,” Philip drawled. “Now up against the wall all three of you. I wouldn’t want you to miss any of this.”

  “You won’t get away with it, Brennan. You know who we are.” John told him coldly as he backed himself to the wall with the others.

  “I’m quite aware of who you are. You are the Lord Councilor of Sutter’s Province, correct? And your witty friend beside you must be one of your assistants. The old man, I haven’t a clue. But none of it matters anyway. What does is a question I’ve posed to the young lady before me.” He looked to Shona. “Tell me my dear, have you had sufficient time to decide?”

  Shona’s resolve to stay calm began to crack at the sight of the men helpless to do anything. Kitty’s life was the only thing keeping the balance. Could Philip really kill? Was he as evil as Julia? He had always taken care of her when she was young. What happened to him? Had he lost his mind? Was he bluffing? She squared her shoulders and looked him right in the eye. “I will not do as you say. I do not think you are serious. You cannot take me. Dallan has already done so.”

  Philip burst into hysterical laughter. “You are so utterly naïve!” He grabbed Kitty by the arm and dragged her to the tarp several yards away. Once there he caught Shona’s eyes and laughed sadistically. “Do you want to see how serious I am? Do you want to see my power?” He threw Kitty to the floor, reached down and yanked the tarp up and over his shoulder.

  Shona screamed and flew forward.

  “Stop!” Philip was already dragging Kitty back to his previous position. “Don’t move. Stay right where you are.”

  She froze several feet from where she’d been and cried out, “Dallan!” She spun on Philip. “What have you done? You have hurt him!” She lost possession of her resolve to be brave as her tears fell, her emotions now a jumbled mess. If only she could summon the burning anger she'd displayed when Philip had shot her with the tranquilizer earlier. Where was it now that she needed it?

  “There, there girl. After all, he’s still alive. Stop your weeping and give me your decision. I’m tired of waiting.”

  “Dallan?” Shona sobbed. “Dallan, please…”

  John, Lany and Angus watched helplessly as she fought her instinct to run to her husband’s side. He lay on the floor in a pool of blood, his clothes soaked in it. His face was a mask of bruises and one temple housed a horrid gash. He looked very dead.

  All three knew better and began to silently pray.

  Shona continued to plead with the lifeless form. “Please, get up! Can you not hear me? Dallan, please!”

  Philip laughed at her. “You’re wasting valuable time, my dear. I haven’t all day and I’m out of patience.”

  Suddenly feeling a bit more in control, she slowly tore her eyes from Dallan and looked to Philip. “You are nothing. You are dead. I will kill you for this!”

  “Doubtful,” he sighed. “As I recall, I’m the one with the gun, remember? Or have you forgotten that I can kill your little friend here in the wink of an eye?”

  Shona straightened herself, the thing within her building again. “No.”

  “L… lass?”

  She spun to Dallan, eyes wide. He had pushed himself up and looked at her, eyes filled with pain. “Dallan?”

  “Ah, just in time,” Philip began casually. “I knew you wouldn’t die on me.”

  “Brennan…” Lany seethed against the wall, John motioning for him to stay put.

  Philip laughed again. “Oh where is Kawahnee now, my fine gentlemen? Did you know he has betrayed you with his own honor? He won’t even lift a finger to interfere! I have everything, and he and yourselves are helpless to do a thing about it!”

  Dallan struggled to his knees, his breathing strained and weak. He looked briefly to John and Lany. Angus stood helplessly to one side, his caring eyes locked with Kitty’s terrified ones. Each man had a different task in mind. Each was waiting for the Weapons Master to do something.

  Dallan’s eyes sought Shona’s. “Are ye all right, lass?”

  “Dallan!” she croaked and nodded.

  “Let them go Brennan.” Dallan rasped. “‘Tis me ye want.”

  “You? Oh, you’re not that important. You know perfectly well what I want. And I fully intend to get it, with you watching.” Philip walked toward Shona. “I want your decision. You’ve had time. Do you submit?”

  Shona stared at him in utter loathing, turned to Dallan, then back again. “No.”

  “Oh for heaven’s sake, do you honestly think I’m bluffing?”

  Shona stood straight, calmer now that she sensed Dallan’s true physical state. “Yes.”

  Philip stared at her blankly a moment and shrugged. “Oh, very well, if I must prove myself…”

  He took aim and shot John. Twice.

  “Eaton!” Lany grabbed John, whose face was locked in utter shock as his body slowly slid down the wall to the floor, hands clutched to his stomach. Blood escaped through his fingers in tiny red rivulets.

  Shona’s scream caught in her throat at the sound of the gun, her eyes following the barrel’s aim. Speech escaped her, words useless now. Philip was serious; John Eaton was mortally wounded, her husband faring no better. Did she have a choice? She looked helplessly to Dallan who was trying his best to stay on his knees. “Dallan ... I…” She turned to Philip. “No more! Please, no more!”

  He smiled with satisfaction and began to chuckle. “I knew you would see it my way. After all, it’s so simple. Submit, or I kill your friend. You no longer have a problem?”

  Shona, tears streaming down her face, shook her head.

  “Good. Do it now.”

  She again looked at Dallan, her whole body straining toward him. He merely knelt, his gaze locked on John, who, with Lany’s help was desperately trying to staunch the flow of blood pouring from his gut. In a matter of minutes, she knew he would bleed to death, and Dallan knew it too. “If I do this, you will let them all go?”

  Philip sighed impatiently. “Yes, yes, now stop stalling.” He took a ragged breath. “I’m hungry.”

  She shivered and turned to face him, her whole body acting on its own as if she no longer controlled it but was being controlled by something else. Numbly, she took two steps in Philip�
�s direction.

  “That’s it, come to me, kneel. Submit yourself. Tell me you will serve me the rest of your days.” He began to chuckle and looked to Dallan. “See? I told you she would. I am her master, not you.”

  Dallan caught the triumphant gleam in Philip’s eye and weakly dropped to the floor. Philip erupted into sadistic laughter. He dragged Kitty the last few feet to where Shona stood and let go a lustful grunt. He didn’t see the look on Dallan’s face. He didn’t catch the Weapons Master climbing to his feet. And he didn’t notice that Dallan’s wounds were gone.

  “Now, Shona. Submit! On your knees before me, girl! Do it!” Philip twisted his hand in Kitty’s hair and began to lick and bite at her face.

  Shona fought against the manacles binding her and began to scream at him, “Stop it! Leave her alone!”

  Philip stopped abruptly, his eyes glazed with the same lust now evident in the rest of his body. “Tell me! Say the words. Now!”

  Shona cried and shuddered, her will fighting against the only thing that could save them. Dallan! Quickly!

  Philip struck Kitty in the back of the head with his fist and shoved the gun into her cheek. “Stop that! Don’t talk to him! You talk only to me! Now submit!”

  Her eyes desperately sought Dallan’s. He weaved as he stood, his footing unsure, his eyes as desperate as her own.

  Philip saw only Shona’s half of the exchange and laughed again. He gripped Kitty harder. “NOW!”

  Shona silently cried, her body shaking with suppressed sobs. Dallan fell to his knees.

  “Hurry, Maiden. Can’t you see he’s dying? Submit and I will have you heal him!”

  She looked desperately between the two. John’s labored breathing could be heard from behind, his life slowly slipping away. Shona closed her eyes, as her heart climbed into her throat. “I… I sub…”

  “I said, ON YOUR KNEES!”

  Shona’s eyes sought Dallan’s, but they were closed now. She fell to her knees with a desperate sob. “I s… sub…” Her eyes flew to Dallan. “No, let me say goodbye to him, anything!”

  Philip’s eyes filled with pleasure. “Are you begging, girl?”

  “Yes!”

  He chuckled. “Ah, but you’re going to be sweet. Taking you will be my most cherished moment. And I’ll make you beg even more.” He glanced briefly at Dallan’s helpless form. “Goodbyes are not necessary. Now do it.”

  Shona’s eyes locked with Dallan’s now open ones as she whispered, “I submit.”

  Philip threw Kitty from him and began to laugh. “Good girl!” He turned and shot Dallan.

  “NO!” Shona flung herself forward, forgetting she knelt, the action landing her on the floor. “Dallan! DALLAN!”

  Philip, quicker than the rest, held Kitty again, the gun back at her temple. “Now isn’t this a pleasant picture, gentlemen? I have the Maiden, her mate dying before me and you about to die with him! Have you nothing to say?”

  Lany suddenly stood, about to give Brennan what he had to say when his eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

  Dallan was on his feet again.

  Philip looked surprised for a split second as he followed Lany’s eyes. “What the bloody…?”

  Dallan stood, hands balled into fists, eyes a bright green and full of possessive challenge. “Ye’ll no win today, Brennan. Today, ye die.”

  Philip took in the words and dryly laughed to himself. “Oh, I see you’ve managed to self-heal. How resourceful. But you forget I hold this girl, and your mate has just submitted to me, and I can always put a few more bullets in you. You can’t self-heal that fast, not without the help of your wife, who is no longer yours.”

  Dallan’s eyes narrowed further.

  Philip smiled at him. “You don’t even know how to command the Maiden. I know you don’t. I can feel your indecision even now.”

  Dallan took a threatening step forward.

  Philip shot him a second time.

  Shona struggled to her knees, eyes wide, and let out a horrid wail as her heart wrenched in a dozen directions. Her breathing poured out in rapid pants and she bared her teeth at Philip.

  “She still reacts to me. Ye canna deny that. She’s mine and no other’s. She’ll obey only me.” Dallan’s voice was calm, though the first bullet wound in the shoulder, flowed freely. The second, to his side, shot pain through his system at will. He fought now to stand and knew he had to do something. He had a gut feeling what it was, yet…

  Lany and Angus took turns holding John’s wound, the Lord Councilor’s face pale as his life flowed from his body without ceasing. Lany lowered his head. “C’mon Dallan, don’t fight it. Don’t.” John, with what strength he had left, joined him in the whispered chant.

  “No!” Philip screamed at the Weapons Master. “She is now mine! And you, Scottish dog, are as good as dead! You don’t know how it works! Kawahnee never told you! He never told you anything!”

  Dallan stumbled and righted himself. “Aye, ye devil. But it doesna mean I canna guess.”

  Philip stood stunned at the words, his face expressionless. “You won’t get the chance. I can kill you right now. She’s submitted willingly, her instinct held at bay by her own words. I’m safe from her. She won’t attack me.” He raised the gun again. “Want me to prove it?”

  Dallan looked briefly to Shona, whose entire body trembled uncontrollably. She stared at him in desperation as if held in limbo, her heart’s power building, pushing its way toward release. Waiting for him. He looked Philip in the eye. “I’m afraid ye’ve misjudged the situation again.”

  Philip laughed. “Oh? And what are you planning on doing?”

  Dallan, the air tight with tension, smiled. “Justice.”

  “Afraid not.”

  Philip aimed for the Highlander’s heart and fired.

  Dallan hit the floor in a heap, the bullet burning into his chest. He was barely aware that Shona had screamed again, that Angus cursed in the background somewhere. He knew he had only seconds to save Shona. To save them all.

  He lifted his face from the floor and glared at Brennan, who had taken Shona by the hair and was twisting her around to bring her face closer to his own. He began to viciously kiss and bite at her throat before using the gun to lift her dress high onto her legs.

  Brennan was going to rape her.

  Eyes narrowed to slits, Dallan struggled to his knees. “Stop, ye Sassenach devil!”

  Philip raised his face from Shona’s shocked one and casually turned to him. “You’re bleeding to death, and you want me to stop. Tell me, dog, what do you think you could possibly do at this point?”

  Dallan began to fall to the floor but stopped himself with one hand. He rasped with pain and pushed himself up again.

  Philip’s eyes widened as the Weapons Master stood. “What I… should ha’… done long ago.” He captured Shona in a fierce gaze, instantly fused them together, and eyes intense upon the Maiden, began to sing.

  Shona threw her head back and flung herself from Philip’s grasp as her heart lurched in her chest.

  Dallan was singing in Gaelic.

  “No!” Philip screamed.

  Too late. Shona was on her knees, her voice filling the room with the same song Dallan was singing. The song Zara had sung to him the day before. The song sung by the Maiden during her final Call.

  The couple sang of Scotland, of family, of love. Their joined heart raced from within themselves to form in the center of the room, the power eclipsing the lights with a brightness no artificial light could create. It raced about the room in seconds searching, reaching, touching wherever Dallan directed it to go.

  He swung the light to John, where it entered his body to sear the wound he bore with raw power, healing him within seconds.

  He sent it to Kitty, covering her in peace and calm, banishing the shock that had tried to drain her life away.

  He sent it throughout the room, unlocked the cuff s holding Shona prisoner and gave her the strength to stand, her song acting totally at hi
s will.

  Dallan stopped singing momentarily, turned to a now-horrified Brennan, gun still in hand, and thrust Shona’s song at him like a sword. The force knocked the gun from his hand and landed Brennan on the floor.

  The ex-Time Master struggled to his feet in rage. “No! You can’t! Stop!” He lunged at Shona, but Dallan was quicker and lashed at his enemy with his new weapon to knock him across the room, into the wall and onto the floor. Brennan lay there stunned, his face stricken in disbelief.

  Lany let go a whoop of joy and jumped to his feet. “Yes!”

  Dallan ignored him and raced to Shona’s side. “M’eudain!” He grabbed her up into his arms and held her tightly, his blood still flowing. She continued to sing.

  Her song was voluntary now. It wrapped around both of them and through Dallan, closing his wounds, giving back to him the life he’d almost lost. She threw her head back and let out a crescendo passage that made the building shake, her heart’s power just warming up. Eyes bright, her body arching in Dallan’s arms, she sang loudly, the sounds of instruments joining her voice, as if a mass orchestra filled the room.

  John and Lany exchanged a frantic look.

  “Dallan!” John cried as loud as he could above the music, “calm her down! She’ll tear the building apart!”

  Dallan’s eyes widened as he quickly looked her over. Her eyes were closed, mouth open in song, head thrown back. One of the hanging lights on the ceiling shattered, showering the floor with glass and plastering as the wall behind them began to crack.

  The whole building began to shake.

  He looked desperately back to John who nodded urgently, then grabbed the Maiden by the back of the head, brought her face to his and kissed her passionately to silence her song, sheathing the weapon until he needed it once more.

  Lany fell against the wall and slid to the floor next to John. “Well, at least he figured out how to start it.” He looked to his superior and smiled. “We can always teach him how to stop it the conventional way later.”

  “It seems to me he’s doing fine this way.” Angus offered weakly, his eyes still wide with awe. He glanced to where Kitty still lay. “Och, the poor wee lassie!” He rushed to Kitty’s side and began to untie her, murmuring words of comfort.