by Donna Grant
He unfurled his left wing as his wound began to throb. He still wasn't sure how the Shields had known he was near. Though his powers were limited, he had cloaked himself so he could observe them and see just how close an eye they were keeping on Nicole.
His wound would heal, but if it did nothing else, it proved to him that he couldn't take the Shields for granted.
Something brushed against his tail and he swished it to the side and turned his head to look around him. He might not be able to see a body, but he knew the Great One was all around him.
"I've served you well,” he said. Loyalty to the Great One had gotten him far, and he wasn't about to let him forget it.
The voice chuckled. “I've never doubted your loyalty, but what I am beginning to doubt is your ability to obey a command. Maybe its time I bring back the stone."
He froze as dread iced his veins. He had been the first to have the stone removed and had proven himself an apt soldier for the Great One. For the Great One to even hint at the stone let him know he couldn't wait any longer.
"Ah, I thought that might get your attention,” the Great One said. “I want her dead. Immediately."
He looked down and drummed his claws on the ground. “I went to observe last night. They have her inside a cave."
"Is that how you received your wound?"
He quickly folded his wing and nodded.
"Then you didn't hide yourself very well. Tell me more. How many are there?"
"Two,” he answered. “Aimery paid them a visit as well."
The air crackled with anger. “You should have killed her when you had the chance! I want the deed done tonight or the stone goes back on."
He didn't wait for the Great One to say more. Enough had been said. He knew what he had to do.
Chapter Eleven
As soon as dawn arrived, Val left Gabriel to guard the cave as he made his way down the mountain to Nicole's cottage. Snow crunched under his boots, and his breath billowed around him as large snowflakes began to fall.
His hand gripped his sword beneath his cloak while he let his gaze roam the land for any adversaries that might show themselves. To his surprise, he arrived at Nicole's cottage without encountering so much as a wild animal.
As he approached the cottage, his steps slowed, and he slowly removed his sword from its scabbard. When he reached the cottage, he flattened himself against the outside and listened. He could hear no signs from within so he crept towards the door and reached for the handle.
Holding his sword with one hand, he pushed opened the door and again flattened himself against the cottage. When nothing came barreling out of the house, and he still didn't hear any sounds from within, he turned and stood in the doorway.
The cottage was dark inside so he sheathed his sword and opened the shutters to let in the light. The cottage was small, but Nicole had kept it clean and tidy. His gaze slowly took in her home, and though it hadn't started out hers, she had made it her own.
A small pile of wood was stacked next to the fireplace where a black pot hung suspended over the now dead coals. A table with two chairs stood near the fire. He could well imagine her eating her meals alone with no one to talk to.
He sighed and looked at her array of herbs drying as they hung from the ceiling.
He turned and saw her bed against the far wall near the hearth. Across the bed was a tartan, a stunning tartan.
Despite the fact Aimery had given them more blankets than they would need, Val took the tartan from across her bed and folded it. He set it on the table and moved about the cottage taking items he thought she might want.
After the tartan, he found a brush, another gown, and her tattered cloak. Once the tartan was tied around those items, he hurriedly gathered up what food he could find and wrapped it in another piece of cloth he found.
He closed the shutters, gathered the two sacks, and took one last look at the cottage before he walked out and shut the door behind him.
The snow had begun to fall in thick sheets as Val made his way back to the cave. With the two heavy bundles he was carrying and the slippery slope of the iced mountain, Val soon found himself losing ground.
His breath burned his lungs as he struggled up the mountain. He had gotten half way up when he felt something at his thigh. He looked down to see Laird pushing at him from behind.
As soon as he thought he had a foothold with Laird helping keep him upright, his boot slipped on a patch of snow. No sooner had his feet come out from beneath him, than someone took hold of his arm.
He looked up and spotted Gabriel through the blizzard. “About time."
"Stop grumbling and get your arse inside,” Gabriel yelled over the howling wind.
When Val had gotten his feet underneath himself again, Gabriel took one of the bags. Val was able to make the rest of the climb up, but his affection for Laird grew as the dog never wavered from his side. It wasn't until Val was inside the cave and Laird had shaken off the snow on his coat that Val reached down and patted the dog's head.
"Good, lad,” he said and he could have sworn the giant wolfhound smiled.
He looked up to find Gabriel's brow raised. Val shrugged and brushed the snow from his hair and cloak. “What's that look for?"
"I didn't think you liked him,” Gabriel said.
Val's brow furrowed. “Whatever gave you that idea?"
"Just the way you acted toward him."
"He's a well trained dog, Gabriel. I just have to wonder what's going to happen to him when we're done here. It's one of the reasons I try not to get attached to anything."
"I'm not leaving him here."
It was the vehemence in Gabriel's voice that brought Val up short. He gazed at his friend and saw that in the short time he had acquired the dog, Gabriel had become more than attached.
"It's not up to me whether you can keep the dog."
"I know,” Gabriel said and turned to the back of the cave.
Val shook his head as he followed him to Nicole. He found her sitting near the fire staring off into the flames. She looked bored, but he had just the cure for that.
As soon as she saw him and what they held in their arms, her eyes lit up. “You went to my cottage?"
"Aye,” Val answered. “No one has been there. I didn't know what to bring. If there is something missing, I'll return for it."
"Nay,” she said as she took the bag from Gabriel. “This will be fine."
He watched as she unknotted the cloth and opened it to find the food. She nodded in satisfaction and began to put it away for later. Then she looked up and saw the bag he held.
She gasped and reached for the tartan. Her eyes met his as she gently lowered it to the ground. “How did you know?"
He shrugged, not expecting such a reaction from her. “I saw it on your bed and realized it might mean something to you."
She smiled as she ran her hand over the tartan and gently untied the knot. “This is the only present I've ever received. Donald gave it to me a couple of years ago. It's the tartan of his clan,” she explained.
Val felt rather pleased with himself as she opened the bag and looked through its contents. With each item she picked up, she would smile and then set it aside. It was the same with everything from her brush to her gown until she found the embroidery kit.
She jerked her gaze to his, and Val shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. He licked his lips. “I thought you might be bored sitting her day after day."
"Thank you,” she whispered and turned her back to them as she began to put stuff away.
Val didn't look at Gabriel as he turned away and walked toward the entrance.
"Did you see anything?"
Val shook his head. “All seemed normal. No footsteps in the snow, no foul stench of evil, nothing."
"Odd, don't you think?"
"Very. He was here yesterday, and I can nearly guarantee you it was him that spied on me after Aimery left."
"I'm sure it was,” Gabriel said and crossed his arms ov
er his chest.
"I don't like the waiting.” Val would rather have the Gryphon attack now so they could get it the battle over with.
Gabriel grunted. “Reminds me of the Minotaur Cole and I fought. For weeks we had no idea what creature we were looking for. The baron's men would bring villagers to the castle to feed the Minotaur."
"I still don't understand that,” Val said. “Before, the creatures always attacked the village, killing all that they could."
Gabriel nodded. “But with each creature we've slain, they've become smarter, stronger ... deadlier.” He turned to Val. “I don't think anyone from the village is controlling this Gryphon."
"I don't like this,” Val mumbled. “I hope Aimery returns with good news. First, we discover the creature has arrived before us and was about to kill Nicole, then we learn Nicole has been bound to this land, and now we think the Gryphon isn't being controlled by the blue stone."
"Which means,” Gabriel said slowly, “that the great evil is controlling it personally."
Val sighed and leaned against the cave. “We need the rest of the Shields."
"What we need is a miracle."
* * * *
Nicole gazed down at the tartan as she ran her hands over it once more before she folded it and put it away. She hadn't realized how much her things had meant to her until she'd had to leave them behind.
Now she found herself missing her small cottage.
The one thing she found she didn't miss was the loneliness. Donald may have come by occasionally, but he had never stayed more than a few moments. She never begrudged him though. He was afraid for his wife's life and she understood that.
"What has you so deep in thought?” Val's deep voice intruded on her thoughts.
She looked up and gave him a small smile. “I was thinking how you take so much for granted until you don't have it anymore."
"Your home?"
"Aye. It might be small and sparse, but it was mine."
"It's a lovely cottage,” he said as she lowered himself to the ground and sat opposite her, the fire between them.
She listened for a moment. “Is that the wind I hear?"
He chuckled. “Aye. A blizzard blew in just as I was leaving your cottage. It looks like we're all trapped in here today."
"You sound disappointed."
"I am,” he admitted. “Gabriel and I are both ready to face the Gryphon and get the first battle out of the way. That way we can size up our opponent and see exactly what we're up against."
"Wish I could be of help,” she said and fiddled with the hem of her skirt.
"The best thing you can do right now is stay alive."
She raised her gaze to his. The fire cast a warm glow over his golden brown hair and tanned skin. She found herself thinking of the kiss they had shared yesterday. It had lingered in her mind so heavily that she had even awoken this morning with the taste of it on her lips. She wanted another kiss, to feel the burning inside her and the thumping of her heart at his touch.
"As soon as we kill the Gryphon,” he continued, “you'll be taken to Stone Crest where the other three Chosen are waiting."
She licked her lips and made herself look away from his tempting mouth. “Have you met these other three?"
"Aye,” he said with a warm smile. “Mina, Elle and Shannon are very nice. You'll get along with them well."
"And you say we're all from the same ... realm?"
He nodded. “Once the other three met, it was like an invisible bond none had ever noticed was suddenly visible. Mina was the only one that had been raised with a family, though they had never included her."
"So, all three were alone like me?"
He scrunched up his face and thought over her words. “Not exactly like you, but aye, in a way they each had grown up alone."
"Are they all from Scotland?"
Val laughed and scratched his chin as he shifted to his right. He leaned on his right hand and bent his left leg so that he could rest his arm atop it.
"Nay,” he said. “Mina is from England in the year 1123."
Nicole gasped and shook her head. “And the others?"
"Well, both Elle and Shannon are from the future."
"How far into the future?"
"Several centuries. I was there in 2006."
"By the saints,” she said. “What was England like at that time?"
"I don't know,” he answered. “We weren't in England. We were in a place called America."
"I've never heard of it,” she said, wondering if he was jesting with her.
"You wouldn't have. Even in 2006, the country was only two hundred and thirty years old."
She smiled because she knew he was jesting with her for sure. “Stop. Tell me the truth."
"I am,” he said as the smile dropped from his face. “The place is loud, dirty, hot, and completely uncivilized. It reminded me of Rome,” he said with a bright smile.
She laughed. “Neither this America nor Rome sound like places I'd like to visit."
"I think you might like certain aspects of Rome. The people can be highly entertaining."
"How so?"
"That was one of our great pleasures. We enjoyed ourselves with food, plays, tournaments, and the like."
"What was the one great pleasure of Rome?” she asked.
"You mean besides conquering?"
She nodded eagerly.
"Sex."
Chapter Twelve
Val knew he had shocked her, but he hadn't been able to help himself. Plus, it was the truth. Romans loved sex.
"Really?” Nicole asked.
He nodded. “Really."
"Did you have lots of sex?"
Now it was his turn to be shocked. He narrowed his gaze on Nicole and watched to see if she was trying to outwit him, but all he saw was genuine curiosity.
"I suppose so,” he answered.
"So you know all there is to know?"
He knew exactly where this was going, and he wanted no part of it. “Don't ask me to have sex with you,” he said.
She waved away his words. “Nay, I wasn't. I know you didn't like my kisses. I was hoping you could teach Gabriel so he could have sex with me."
Had Val been drinking something, he knew he would have spewed it all over her. “What?” he asked when he finally found his voice.
"I'm being realistic,” she said solemnly. “My chances of getting out of this alive are slim. I've been alone for so long and missed out on so much that I'd like to make up for it."
"I'm not sure this is the way,” he answered while trying to buy himself some time to think.
"Maybe not, but most women my age have already been married with children."
He stopped and really looked at her then. There was no denying the loneliness in the violet depths of her eyes, nor the sadness around her them. She had missed so much.
"Nicole, don't rush this. I know you want to experience the world, but if you don't find the right person to share things with, it won't mean near as much."
She became quiet, and he was foolish enough to think that his words had halted her wild thoughts. He should have known better.
"Do you have someone special?” she asked.
Val sighed and sat up straight. “I'm a Shield, which doesn't leave me much time for things like that."
"So, you're almost as lonely as I am."
Her observation hit him like a catapult in the stomach. “In some ways, aye, we are."
Suddenly, her gaze moved over him and he heard her ask, “Are you lonely, too?"
Val turned and saw Gabriel standing behind him. He raised a brow and waited for Gabriel to answer.
Gabriel pushed off the wall and walked to his pallet and sat. “Everyone is lonely at some time, Nicole. Some people don't mind being alone, while others need the company of several just to feel safe. It all depends on the person."
"You didn't answer my question."
Val couldn't help but smile as he watched Nicole's attenti
on turn from him to Gabriel. It was about time Gabriel answered some of her questions.
"Nay,” Gabriel answered. “I enjoy my solitude. I've never been one that likes to be in one place too long."
Val had learned something new about Gabriel. He found it hard to believe that Gabriel didn't get lonely at times for Val had seen him staring off into nothing, deep in thought.
He could only imagine Gabriel was still trying to figure out his past and just where he came from. Though Gabriel hid it well, all the Shields knew it was something that troubled him greatly.
At least with Cole, he'd had a few memories, memories of a child, but still memories. Gabriel had nothing.
No memories to help answer his questions. The only thing they all knew was that the Fae had found him alone and nearly dead. When Gabriel had awoken, he remembered nothing but his name.
"The blizzard doesn't seem to be letting up,” Gabriel said into the silence.
Nicole nodded. “I suspect it'll continue most of the morning and maybe past noon."
Val looked over his shoulder at the entrance and contemplated their choices.
"What are you thinking?” Gabriel asked.
Val turned back to the fire and look at Gabriel. “After yesterday, I would say our chances of an attack are imminent."
"What happened yesterday?” Nicole asked.
Gabriel shrugged. “I smelled the evil and shot an arrow toward a stand of trees. The Gryphon had been sitting there observing us."
"He was here?” she asked, her voice low and fearful.
"He never got close,” Val hastened to assure her. “He never attacked."
Nicole got to her feet and paced the distance of the cave. “I can't stand the waiting,” she said. “If he's coming, then come and get it over with."
"Exactly,” Val said as he gained his feet and stood in front of her so she would stop pacing. “He's waiting for us to make a wrong move. You're protected in this cave. The only way in is through the entrance and we're guarding that."
"So,” Gabriel said, “as long as you stay in here you'll be fine."
She looked from one to the other then faced Val. “Why are you doing this?"
He frowned. “What? Guarding you? Because it's my duty."
"Nay. Why are you jeopardizing your life for the Shields? Why is it so important to you?"
