by Olivia Norem
“We all gae,” Simeon conceded.
“We all go,” Kat breathed in triumph. She flounced out of the room, leaving Ian to stare after his sister in astonishment and Simeon chafing with his lie.
“Oh my goodness,” Ian shook his head.
“Whot?” Simeon sputtered.
“You have no idea how difficult it is to watch this, my friend.”
“I’d do naught tae dishonor yer sister, Ian Goldman.”
“Now Kat’s a big girl, but the fact remains, Simeon, she’s in love with you.”
“I’ll nae discuss any gauns on, or no’, regarding yer sister with any mon.”
Ian glared at him in silence, testing how long it would take for Simeon to falter in the disquietude. The man adopted a stubbornly taciturn approach with a will as strong as his own. Ian learned volumes about the Laird in those moments. First, Simeon was a man of honor, and second, he hadn’t used Kat for a quick lay. He appeared to genuinely care for her.
“I cannae do this alone, Ian Goldman, yet I willnae compromise yer sister. Isobel will stop at nothing tae destroy those I care aboot.” Simeon gave him a hard look, and awareness flooded through him.
“My wife left me,” Ian stated.
“Aye.”
“I have international police searching for me. If they catch me, I’ll be in prison the rest of my life.”
“Aye.” Simeon arched a single brow.
“Not a helluva lot of reasons for me to stay in this century are there?”
“Nae.”
Ian ran his hand through his hair and exhaled deeply. “There’s easier ways for me to disappear you know.”
“Aye. But somethin’ tells me this adventure is yer fate, Ian Goldman.”
“Like it was yours to be cursed for hundreds of years?”
The men stared at each other considering the weight of the unspoken question lingering between them.
“And what about Kat?”
“As ye say in yer time, it’s complicated. But if ye trust nae else from me, Ian Goldman, trust this. I’ll do right by yer sister. Now listen close tae me plan…”
Chapter 17
Kat was beyond grouchy when they entered the crumbling shelter of Kilchurn castle’s lower bailey. It had been bad enough her secondary backpack had been lifted at the Highland games festival, and the sudden opening of the sky had drenched her in big, fat raindrops, but now it seemed Ian and Simeon were best buddies.
They’d laughed and easily shook off the rain, while she was drenched, cold, and miserable. Despite her faithful bodysuit beneath the long skirt she’d been forced to wear, the fabric was sodden and cloying around her legs, chilling her to the bone. Worse, neither man seemed to give a lick about her discomfort. Something brushed her ankle and Kat squealed, jumping in fright.
Were there rats in here?
Simeon’s arm came around her shoulders and he pulled her to him, rubbing her arms to chase away the chill. “I’ll hae ye warm in a moment, lass.”
She heard a rustling sound, and then both Simeon’s and Ian’s faces illuminated in a pool of light from the match. Blinking several times and pushing her wet strands of hair from her face, Kat watched as he soon had a small fire going. She looked around and saw the arched ceiling of the room they were standing in. It was old, really old, and the brick didn’t match what she’d seen. It seemed to stretch on forever behind them, deeper into the mountain.
“What is this place?” Kat asked as she twirled around, marveling at the stone.
“’Tis the other side o’ the cairn,” Simeon replied and added more wood to the fire. Kat stepped close to the flames and shook out her dress.
“We’ll hold up here a few hours, and then make our way to the stones,” Ian said, squatting down and digging through his pack. He tossed Kat a bottle of water, and then cast a barely imperceptible nod to Simeon.
Kat swallowed the water greedily then paused. She sensed an uneasiness between the two men. Simeon ran his hand over his jaw and stared into the fire. Ian was being unusually quiet. He appeared pensive, or guilty — Kat couldn’t decide which — as he continued to fiddle with his pack.
“What the hell is going on with you two?” Kat blurted. Her stomach clenched. A full-blown feeling of dread descended upon her as she watched the guarded exchange between the two men.
Ian cleared his throat before he spoke and jammed a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m just going to find a place to… uh. I’ll give you two some privacy.” Kat’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as she watched her brother disappear down the dark cavern.
“What aren’t you telling me, Simeon?”
“Come, lass. Yer brother wants tae give us a moment alone.” Simeon guided her to the ground beside him and tried to pull her close.
“Oh no,” Kat bristled and refused to be caught in his embrace.
He met her eyes and saw the impasse there. If circumstances had been different, without witches or curses, or duty… he could have done everything differently.
But that was not their fate. This frustrating, contentious lass had almost succeeded in blinding him to everything he must do. If he followed the depths of his heart and cried to the world this woman is mine, he’d waver in his decision. And Isobel would win. She would surely spread death and destruction and obliterate all she could in the wake of her quest for power.
If only it could be different. He would have wooed her and teased her as a zealous suitor. They would have laughed and run hand in hand across the heather laden hills of Kilchurn and enjoyed moonlit swims in Loch Awe. He would have plied her through the winters, content sharing long nights, perhaps even making bairns with her… But it was not to be.
And now she faced him as he agonized over the most difficult part of the commitment to his purpose. Simeon knew there was only one way to keep his woman safe. Keep her alive.
He must leave her.
Simeon pulled her close and held her in silence.
He shook his head slowly and brushed his thumb across her knuckles, seeming to struggle with words. He swallowed hard and lifted his gaze to bore into hers. “Isobel will be stronger when we cross back tae our time. She knows I care for ye, and she knows who ye are.”
“Simeon? Yesterday you agreed. We all go,” Kat prodded.
She saw the hard tick of his jaw in in the firelight, and a world of emotion clouded his eyes.
“Only Ian and I will be taking this journey, lass. ‘Tis too dangerous for ye tae come.”
Kat blinked, not quite believing what she’d just heard.
“Excuse me?” Kat pushed away and stood. Simeon stayed squatted by the fire and looked up at her. She scowled down at him, resisting the urge to kick him in the chest. “And when did you two decide this?”
“It has tae be, lass. I cannae guarantee yer safety from the witch.”
“And you can guarantee yours? Or my brothers?”
“Nae, lass. I cannae,” Simeon answered quietly. Kat felt like a dagger had just been plunged into her chest. Her breathe was constricted from the weight of what he’d just said. He could die. Ian could die, and they thought leaving her behind was a good idea?
“I am coming with you,” Kat announced with finality, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
“I said nae and ‘tis the end o’ it.” Simeon stood up and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He knew he should had followed Ian’s suggestion and simply knocked her out, but somehow, leaving her without an explanation didn’t seem fair.
Any control Kat had over her temper was quickly fading. If he thought to intimidate her by towering over her, he had another thing coming. Kat took a step closer until their bodies were almost touching. She glared up at him and jabbed a finger into his chest. The pitch of her angry voice rose as she flew into a full-blown rant.
“We’re not even close to the end of this, Simeon. You can’t tell me what to do.” She jabbed him with her finger. “You’re not the boss of me.” Kat jabbed him again and sneered. “And Ian sure as hell i
sn’t the boss of me.” She jabbed him even harder this time. “Now, I’m going with you and that’s the end of it.”
“I willnae allow it,” Simeon growled between clenched teeth.
Kat’s mouth gaped open and she waved a hand at him. “Oh! Ye willnae allow it? Forgive me, my Laird. I’d forgotten your word is law. Forgive my foolishness, not realizing you only want to protect me. What was I thinking? I’m just a helpless, defenseless, wee lass after all.” Kat ended her sarcasm by bowing to him deeply at the waist.
“Och! Dinnae do this, lass. This is no’ a decision I came tae without a heavy heart.” Simeon crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at her.
Kat unleashed a fresh tirade. “Heavy heart? As if you had a heart, you arrogant, domineering, insufferable, bossy…”
Simeon’s hands shot out and grabbed her upper arms hard. He gave her a little shake. “Stop. I’ll hear nae more and I’ll nae leave ye in anger. I dinnae want our final memories tae be so tainted. Ye think I make this decision lightly? Me heart is fair breakin’ at this moment, Katherine. I love ye, lass. I love ye eno’ tae see ye safe. And if I do gae tae me grave, Katherine, then I’ll do so kenning I dinnae risk yer life as well.”
Kat felt the tears rising in her throat. She couldn’t speak. She could only stare up into the eyes of the man who had captured her heart and was now breaking it into a thousand pieces.
“Sim, please. Please don’t do this,” Kat whispered as tears coursed down her cheeks. Simeon swallowed hard and felt his own eyes begin to mist. He cupped her face in his hands and brushed the wet trails on her cheeks with his thumbs. She dug her fingers into his forearms and tried to swallow back the sobs that choked her. She wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t!
Kat burst into a full flood of tears.
“Och, lass!” Simeon’s arms came around her as he crushed her to his chest, as the sobs wracked her body. He buried his lips in the top of her hair and held her as she cried. He stroked her back. Her tears both threatened and strengthened his resolve. He knew this moment would be one of the most difficult he’d ever faced, but picturing Katherine, his Katherine at the hands of Isobel, tortured or killed simply because he couldn’t protect her…
“Come here, Kitty Kat,” Ian appeared behind her with her arms outstretched. She’d never seen her brother’s face so grim, and it twisted her heart. She sprang into his embrace. Ian hugged her so tightly Kat could barely breathe. She felt her brother stiffen.
“Ian?” she pulled back and peered up into his face. “Ian?” Then she felt a quick sting on her arm. Kat jerked back in pain and looked down at the small welt of blood. “What! You… you drugged me?”
“I feel really bad about this, Kat, but we can’t have you following us. You have a few minutes before you’re knocked out, so listen carefully. The keys for the SUV are in the pack. Up in the passenger side wheel well you’re going to find a magnet. Feel around for it, it’s there. It’s about the length of your pinky…”
“I fucking hate you guys,” she interrupted woozily as Simeon’s arm came around her. He eased her gently to the floor and propped her back against the wall.
“I know you do, sis, but listen, this is the important part. On the magnet is my account number in the Caymans. There’s six million in there. With that account number you can transfer it anywhere you want. Kat? Repeat it to me so I know you understand.”
She looked up at him dumbly. “Cayman. Magnet.” Her tongue felt thick in her mouth.
Ian nodded. He leaned down, squeezed her shoulder, and then kissed her cheek. “I love you, Kat.”
“Love?” Kat raised her hand to him, but it flopped back to her side.
Simeon cupped her face and turned her toward him. His lips brushed hers, and then he kissed her deeply. “I love ye, Katherine Moira Goldman. I love ye more than me life.” Kat looked at him, her eyes struggling to stay open as the drug snaked through her system.
“Sim,” she croaked out in a little whimper.
Ian tossed Simeon a coil of rope, and then bent to tie her feet. “Get her hands.”
“Are ye certs this is necessary?” Simeon growled and brushed the hair away from Kat’s face.
“You know as soon as she wakes up she’ll try to follow us. You want to take that chance?”
Simeon sighed and bound her hands. The sentiment wasn’t lost on him as he wound the rope around her wrists. Lord what he would give to have her pledged to him, and he to her, in the old ways of his people. Despite Kat’s semiconscious state, he’d handfast her right here and now. Hopefully, when his Kat woke, the sentiment wouldn’t be lost on her, for in his heart, they were already joined.
He pulled out his dirk and unwound the plaid from his shoulder. Slicing off a long strip, Simeon cut it into two equal lengths. He wound one length of the plaid over her wrists and the other he tucked inside his sporran.
Simeon smoothed her hair again tenderly and touched his lips to her. “I’m pledged tae ye, lass. For all time. In Scotland, ‘tis as good as vows spoken a’fore a priest.” Kat squinted and blinked at him rapidly trying to focus. She managed to steady her gaze and looked hard at Simeon. Her pupils were so huge, her green eyes appeared almost black in the dim light.
“Great… honey… moon,” Kat whispered.
Simeon cupped her face tenderly between his hands. His thumbs brushed her cheeks. Kat’s eyes fluttered at his touch. He knew she was still aware of him and what he had to say before she slipped into unconsciousness. He choked down the emotion that threatened. Of all the battles and all the trials he’d endured, leaving her was by far the hardest.
“I dinnae expect ye tae understand now. But ken this, mo ghràdh, nae other will hae me heart. Find happiness, lass. ‘Tis whot I want for ye.”
Simeon kissed her once again. Despite her near oblivion, Kat felt the emotion unleashed in his kiss. He was like a man dying of thirst, taking his first sip of water. There was love and desperation all it once. Kat moaned sweetly under him, as her eyes fluttered again. This time, they stayed closed.
“Come on, she’ll be fine,” Ian said gathering up his pack, “she’s going to be mad as hell when she wakes up, but we’ve done the right thing, Simeon. How far do we have to go?”
“We’ve got tae exit this tunnel and double back tae reach the stones. Funny thing, if we were able tae follow the tunnel deeper into the mountain, we’d be just nigh under them.”
Ian clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s be off then. We have a witch to take down.”
Simeon took one long, last look at Kat, and with leaden feet, followed Ian out the way they came. “Aye. So we do.”
Chapter 18
When Kat woke from fog of the drug, her first thought was for once her brother had been thorough — damn him. Her hands and feet were securely tied, and they’d gagged her. The fire still burned a cheery flame, and Ian had left a flashlight near her thigh, placed where she could see it.
She stared down at the scrap of plaid draped over her wrists. Blinking back the lingering haze from her mind, she could hear Simeon’s voice echo in her mind. ‘I’m pledged tae ye, lass. For all time.’
Pledged to her, was he? Well if her great big, boorish Highlander thought ‘pledge’ meant deserting her to fight some witch on his own, then he had another thing coming. She wasn’t about to spend three tortuous months waiting for him to return, wondering if he was alive or dead.
Her only option was to press forward.
Groaning, Kat twisted around and felt along the rough wall. She just needed… there, she felt it… a sharp edge. She began sawing furiously at the ropes on her wrists. The heat of the friction seared her skin, yet she kept sawing furiously. Finally, one strand broke, and Kat freed her hands. She yanked the gag from her mouth and began working on the rope at her ankles.
“I’m going to kill them,” she mumbled as she picked at the knots. Finally brushing away the rope, Kat grabbed the flashlight, hoisted the backpack, and secured the straps. She turned and headed deeper into the
tunnel.
The air turned cooler, mustier. Faint sounds of dripping water filled the humid air. The stone work was fascinating. If she wasn’t in such a hurry to reach the end, she would have taken a closer look, as the stones were covered with strange markings that peeked out from their mossy coverings.
The walls turned slick and green, covered with damp slime and earth. She’d been jogging for what seemed like hours, but Kat knew only fifteen minutes or so had passed since she’d woken from Ian’s little knock-out stunt. Was it her imagination, or was the tunnel getting smaller? Kat paused and looked up. The massive high ceiling where she first entered was reduced to no more than four feet above her head.
The flashlight flickered, and Kat pounded it against her palm. She pointed the beam as far as it would go, but the weakening light didn’t illuminate the cavern beyond the next fifteen feet or so. She moved faster and shone the beam on the ground. If Ian and Simeon had come this way, surely there would signs of their passing, but she saw none. Weird. Nagging doubt pricked her. They’d said the way through the gate was just ahead and had pointed down this way. Then again, these were the same pair of tricky bastards who’d just drugged her, tied her, and left her behind.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Kat groaned as the tunnel became too narrow to proceed. There was no way Simeon and Ian had come this way. Fisting a handful of dirt and slapping it angrily down, she shoved herself backward out of the space. She crawled back until she could stand and brushed the dirt from her. It was little use. She was no longer dirty; she was downright muddy.
It was painfully obvious they’d taken her to the cavern as a diversion. It was hidden, remote, and safe from the elements. Think! Damn it! Where had they gone? There had to be a way through the gate. She reached in the pocket of her skirt and fingered the strip of plaid that Simeon had laid over her hands. Her fingers clenched around it angrily. Damn! If she found a way to join him back in his time, the first thing she’d do would be to wrap it around his neck and choke him with it.
