by Donna Grant
Saffron tried to resist, but her body obeyed without hesitation. She turned and placed her hand in his. Saffron was screaming inside her mind, calling Declan the worst kinds of names, but none of it mattered.
She was theirs, and as frightening as that was, not knowing what they had planned for her kept her stomach tied in knots.
All she could hope for was that it didn’t involve those at MacLeod Castle. Even when she knew in her heart that it did.
There was no way she could stand there and do something to harm them. She’d never forgive herself. There had to be some way to break this spell Deirdre and Declan had cast on her.
Saffron walked beside Declan as they descended the stairs and reached the front door where Robbie and Malcolm stood on either side of double doors.
“I’ve news on your other inquiry,” Robbie said.
Declan released her hand. “And what would that be?”
“We’ve narrowed it down to the northwest. We’ll soon have a town to give you.”
“And another of my runaways will be back where they belong,” Declan said with a smile.
Deirdre appeared at the top of the stairs then, clad in black skintight leather, and made her way down. “Declan, you picked those horrid clothes for Saffron, didn’t you?”
“Of course. I do know what looks good on women.”
Deirdre rolled her eyes. “Nay. You like to think you know what looks good on women.”
“You liked the leather enough that you still wear it.”
Deirdre’s smile was cold and malicious. “I wear it because it suits me, not because you chose it.”
“You can no’ lie to me.”
“Watch me.”
In the next instant Declan had Deirdre up against the wall kissing her. Saffron swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. She recalled all too well the vision she’d had of Deirdre, her stomach large with child, standing over a dead Declan.
Had they already shared a bed? Did the child already grow within Deirdre?
Saffron lowered her gaze to find black combat boots in front of her. She could do nothing as Robbie’s finger traced the swell of her breasts, the desire evident in his gaze.
“You’re going to be mine,” he whispered. “I’ll make you scream by the time I’m done with you.”
Saffron was inwardly shaking her head back and forth, trying her damnedest to raise a hand and slap Robbie. But without permission she was nothing more than a mannequin who breathed.
Robbie’s finger slid between her breasts as he rubbed his arousal against her. Suddenly, he let out a bellow as Malcolm bent his hand backward until the bone was about to break.
“Is this how you take women?” Malcolm demanded. “They have to be under a spell where they can no’ refuse you in order for you to relieve yourself?”
“You’re about to break my hand,” Robbie cried as he fell to his knees.
Saffron watched as Malcolm held Robbie’s shoulder and bent the wrist back another fraction. Malcolm’s Warrior eyes were narrowed into slits as he glared at Robbie.
“I think these two really hate each other,” Deirdre said.
“Stop him now, Deirdre,” Declan demanded.
Deirdre raised a white brow. “Or what?”
“You need me,” Declan reminded her. “If you still want my aid, call off your Warrior.”
Deirdre rolled her eyes and sighed. “Malcolm, release Robbie.”
Saffron was surprised Malcolm didn’t instantly obey. There was a moment where she could see how he debated breaking Robbie’s wrist anyway, but then he inhaled a deep breath. Malcolm let go of Robbie’s hand and shifted his gaze to her.
She wanted to tell him thank you, to let him know she was glad he stopped Robbie, even if it wasn’t because of her but because of his hatred for the mercenary.
Malcolm turned on his heel and opened the door. Saffron watched him walk out into the sun toward the helicopter waiting for them.
“It’s time,” Deirdre said.
Declan motioned for Saffron to follow. She was in the helicopter and buckled by the time Declan had the blades moving.
Saffron found herself in the middle with Robbie on one side and Malcolm climbing in the other. Saffron noticed how Malcolm stiffened and touched his face with his fingers.
He didn’t say a word as he took his seat and shut the door right before they took off.
* * *
Camdyn watched the helicopter rise into the sky and then take off. It had taken some doing, but he’d managed to talk Fallon into bringing him along. But now he wished he hadn’t.
To see Saffron walk to that helicopter as if she wanted to be there, dressed in … something that certainly wasn’t her style left his mind reeling.
“Doona believe all you see,” Fallon cautioned him. “Deirdre has her tricks.”
“You saw her, Fallon. She wasna even fighting them.”
Fallon blew out a breath. “We doona know what they’ve done to her. You need to remember that. And—”
“I know,” Camdyn said. “That even if we do get Saffron back she may never be the person she was before.”
Fallon put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Deirdre forced Isla to become drough. I wouldna be surprised to learn she did it again.”
Camdyn nodded. “How are you holding up?”
Fallon refused to meet his gaze. “Larena is a strong Warrior. Her power to be invisible will give us an advantage, as well as helping us learn what they’ve done to Saffron.”
“I wouldna have been able to let my wife go with them.”
“Sometimes you have to trust that they can keep themselves safe.”
Camdyn, his gaze still on the helicopter, wondered if Fallon believed his own words. Despite his assurance, Camdyn knew Fallon was anything but all right.
Without alerting him, Fallon jumped them back to the castle.
“Did it work?” Lucan asked when they appeared in the great hall.
Fallon nodded. “Larena’s plan was carried out flawlessly. She is with them now. They’ve taken a helicopter.”
Broc smiled as he looked at Fallon. “No’ even drough magic will keep them from blocking Larena from me.”
Camdyn’s impatience grew as Broc touched Fallon’s torc and closed his eyes. Larena wore a matching armband that bound them. It was powerful magic that could not be covered. And something Deirdre knew nothing about.
“They’re headed to the Ring of Brodgar,” Broc said.
Camdyn looked at Fallon. “We go now.”
CHAPTER
FORTY-FOUR
Charon put his Mercedes in park and sighed. With both hands on the wheel he looked out over the vast expanse of the Orkney isle. Even without his enhanced vision he still would have been able to see the massive stones of the Ring of Brodgar rising from the earth.
There was a knock on his window. Charon turned his head to find Phelan bent over, a brow raised in question. Charon gave a shake of his head and opened the door.
“Having second thoughts?” Phelan asked as he backed away so Charon could climb out.
“Nay.” Charon closed the door and inhaled the brisk winter air.
“Why did you want to come back here?”
Charon shrugged. “There just seemed something off about Deirdre leaving so suddenly. She had half of the MacLeod Druids trapped belowground and her wyrran were keeping the Warriors who had gotten out busy.”
“So?”
“So, there was another Druid here.”
Phelan crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. “A mie?”
“Nay. A drough with almost as much power as Deirdre.”
“So why didna the bugger help Deirdre?”
“That is the question, is it no’?” Charon asked as he started walking toward the stones.
Phelan easily caught up with him. “What do you know that you are no’ telling me?”
“Nothing.”
“I doona believe you.”
Charon halted and turned his head to
look at the Warrior. “You doona trust anyone, do you?”
“Do you?” Phelan asked in answer.
Charon smiled and shook his head. “Nay.”
“So what’s the problem?”
Charon chuckled and started walking again. He didn’t want to like Phelan, but he did. It still boggled his mind to know Phelan had been kept in Cairn Toul since he was a small lad. No wonder he hated Druids. He’d seen the worst side of them.
And while Charon agreed with much of Phelan’s feelings on the matter of Druids, even Charon knew there was a line drawn between the Druids.
Marcail had known he was spying on Quinn, Ian, Duncan, and Arran. She had known Deirdre was using something against him.
“How do you tell the difference between mie and drough magic?” Phelan asked.
“A mie’s magic feels pure and bright while a drough’s black magic feels heavy and suffocating.” Charon glanced at Phelan and the thoughtful look on his face. “You’ve felt mie magic, have you no’?”
Phelan nodded. “Many centuries ago I helped a winged Warrior and a Druid escape Deirdre.”
“That would be Broc. He spied against Deirdre, earning her trust and helping the MacLeods gather information. Broc is still alive, and I would bet my entire fortune that the Druid you helped is with the MacLeods. Why did you help them if you hated Druids so?”
“It was the Warrior. The way he stood against Deirdre. He knew he was going to die and he didna care.”
“Had you no’ helped him, I’ve no doubt Deirdre would have gotten her vengeance on him.”
“Aye,” he said thoughtfully. “So this other drough’s magic you felt, did it feel like Deirdre’s?”
“Similar. Verra similar,” Charon said as they reached the ring of stones. “Do you feel the magic here?”
“I think even a mortal would feel the magic of this place.”
“The stones were once used for ceremonial purposes by the ancient Druids.”
Charon stopped and looked to the sky. A heartbeat later Phelan turned in the same direction.
“A helicopter,” Phelan said.
“And drough magic.”
“They’re still a ways out.”
Charon stiffened as he felt magic stir behind him. He turned and spotted Ian as well as Quinn walking toward him. Druids stood in a group watching. “Phelan, you’re about to meet the MacLeods.”
* * *
Camdyn and Hayden were behind Ian and Quinn as they walked to the other two Warriors. Isla wanted to go, but Hayden had refused.
Camdyn had heard talk of both Phelan and Charon, and he was surprised to find them here. Especially together.
“Charon,” Ian said, and held out his arm.
Charon didn’t hesitate to clasp Ian’s forearm. “Ian.”
“I hate to sound unwelcoming, but what are the both of you doing here?” Quinn asked.
Charon looked at each of them before he said, “By happenstance, but since all of you are here and I suspect the helicopter on its way holds Deirdre, I think there’s going to be another battle.”
“Another?” Camdyn repeated.
Phelan took a step closer. “That’s what he said.”
Camdyn narrowed his gaze on Phelan with his long dark hair and gray-blue eyes. “That’s a problem for me if either of you were here for the first battle and didna bother to help.”
“Why would we?” Phelan demanded with a sneer.
Camdyn got in his face until their noses were inches apart. “Isla may want to bring you into the fold, but I’m telling you right now if you doona help us today, I’ll make you pay.”
“Camdyn, easy,” Hayden said as he put a hand between them and pushed them apart.
Charon ran a hand down his face and started to turn away. But Camdyn knew the more Warriors they had the better their chances of succeeding.
“We need your help. Please,” Camdyn added. “I need your help.”
It was Quinn who put a comforting hand on his shoulder a moment before he turned to Charon. “Deirdre is no’ our only enemy. There is another drough.”
“Declan,” Camdyn ground out.
Phelan looked at Charon. “You said there were two.”
Ian rubbed his jaw. “How did you know of Declan, Charon?”
“I didna,” Charon answered. “I felt a second drough here during the first battle. But I never saw him.”
“Holy hell,” Quinn said and rubbed the back of his neck.
Camdyn was fast losing control of his fury. “He was here. The bastard was here.”
“And we’re going to end it all today,” Hayden said.
“I say we begin by bringing the chopper down,” Phelan said with a smile.
Quinn’s nostrils flared. “You do that and you kill my brother’s wife. She’s on that helicopter.”
Charon frowned. “Fallon’s wife?”
Quinn nodded.
Phelan rolled his eyes. “I’d like to be included in this conversation.”
“Her name is Larena,” Camdyn answered. “She’s a female Warrior.”
Phelan’s cocky attitude changed instantly. “What’s her power?”
“Invisibility,” Ian answered.
Camdyn looked at the sky. “They’ll be here soon. We can no’ be out in the open.”
Charon held out his arm to Camdyn. They clasped forearms, but Charon didn’t release him. “Who is she?”
Camdyn didn’t pretend not to know what he meant. “Her name is Saffron. She’s a Seer. Declan held her prisoner for three years.”
“We rescued her,” Hayden said.
“And Declan captured her again.”
Charon’s hand squeezed his arm before he released him. “Looks like we need to get her back once more.”
The four of them as well as Charon and Phelan walked back to the others. Introductions were given and Camdyn noticed how uncomfortable Phelan was around the Druids. He spoke to them, however, all except for Isla.
She pretended like she didn’t care, but Camdyn saw the way she turned to Hayden for comfort. Camdyn wanted to be there to offer Saffron comfort. He wanted to hold her, to cherish her.
To love her.
He closed his eyes as the sound of the helicopter drew closer.
“Hide,” Fallon bellowed.
Camdyn hunkered down behind one of the mighty pillars as he kept his gaze on the helicopter. Saffron would emerge soon. He’d do anything to get her free of Declan, even sacrifice his own life if that’s what it took.
He would not allow her to be trapped in that world.
* * *
Saffron looked at the Ring of Brodgar and recalled the last time she had been there. So much had changed in her life that day. It seemed eons ago when in fact it had been days.
She had faced her ultimate fear, found magic she hadn’t believed existed inside her, and opened herself up to Camdyn.
Camdyn.
God, how she missed him.
The helicopter began its descent from the sky. Robbie put his hand on her thigh and slowly moved it up her legs until he was nearly at her sex.
“I already warned you about touching her,” Malcolm said in a deep, gravelly voice.
Robbie winked at her. “Doona worry, love. The beast willna be around all the time. We can have our fun when he’s gone.”
Saffron closed her eyes and turned her gaze away from him. All too soon they had landed in the Orkneys. Declan shut off the engine, and they all climbed out of the helicopter.
“I want everyone set up before I alert my sister that we’re here,” Deirdre said.
Saffron’s heart jumped in her chest when she heard the screech of a wyrran as dozens of them came rushing toward Deirdre. After a few moments where Deirdre spoke to them, the wyrran fanned out over the peninsula.
Saffron looked to one of the pillars and remembered how it had felt to be joined with the Druids among such magic. And to have Camdyn there keeping watch over her.
A pair of dark eyes suddenly met hers.
Saffron inwardly smiled as she locked gazes with Camdyn. She wanted to run to the safety of his arms.
“Saffron, come here,” Declan ordered.
She fought the order, grappling with the spell. For a few precious moments she actually got the upper hand and was able to keep from moving. But the spell quickly overpowered her.
Saffron turned and walked toward Declan—away from Camdyn. With each step, her heart broke. Her chance to break the spell and help the others had come and gone. She had failed them and herself.
Deirdre stopped in midstride and turned to Declan. “It appears as if I needn’t contact Laria. She’s already here.”
A figure moved from behind one of the stones, her long blond hair braided and lying over her shoulder. “That’s right, sister. You didn’t really think you would be able to stay hidden from us forever, did you?”
“I didn’t need forever. I just needed a few days.”
Laria rubbed her hands together. “Shall we begin, then?”
“Not quite yet,” Deirdre said, and wrapped her fingers around Saffron’s arm. She jerked Saffron next to her. “I believe you know Saffron. She has joined me.”
“Then she’ll die along with the rest of you.”
Saffron wanted to cry when she heard Camdyn’s bellow, but the tears wouldn’t come.
Deirdre gave her a vicious yank as another spell fell from her lips. The world began to spin faster and faster with each word, and there was nothing Saffron could do to stop the vision.
“Tell me your vision,” Deirdre whispered.
Saffron couldn’t stop the images that filled her mind, nor her voice that put them to words.
CHAPTER
FORTY-FIVE
Camdyn watched Saffron carefully. She stood beside Deirdre, but something wasn’t right. He didn’t know what it was, only that Saffron wasn’t herself.
As soon as Deirdre grabbed her, Camdyn was on his feet ready to do whatever it took to get Saffron away from Deirdre.
“Careful,” Charon said, and moved in front of Camdyn.
“Get. Out of. My. Way.”
Charon shook his head. “If I do you’ll only succeed in getting yourself killed instead of rescuing that pretty Druid.”
“Listen to him,” Ian cautioned.
Camdyn filled his lungs with air and listened to his friends. “I’ll get Saffron away from Declan.”
