Immortal Scotsman

by McQueen, H. M.

  For a second, the demon’s expression relaxed. Like any living being, he refused to believe his time was up, and then, he evaporated.

  Breathing heavily, Fallon swirled around at the sound of footsteps behind him, only to see that Cyn had just dispatched his opponent as well.

  He’d heard the words over and over in his head since the Master demon’s visit. He could no longer ignore the restlessness inside, the sleepless days where he tossed and turned, needing to be out, needing to fight and kill. He stormed over to the end of the alley and studied the empty street, not ready to hold a conversation. When Cyn approached him, he tensed. Reading the Protector’s mind, he knew that Cyn was about to question him.

  “Fallon, let’s talk.” It was not a request. “Something is wrong, and damn it, I am not about to lose you, too.” Cyn grabbed him roughly, swinging him around to face him. “What the hell is up with you? You go nonstop with a blood-thirst like I’ve never seen. Julian is going to notice the change in you.”

  Fallon’s eyes flew to search the shadows. Cyn continued. “I know you’ve been avoiding him. He’s probably noticed by now as well.”

  Shrugging him away, Fallon controlled the urge to swing at Cyn, to run away and hide from everyone. More than the bloodlust, lately, he craved solitude. The darkness beckoned him, and for a second, he almost ran.

  Shaking his head, he shoved his sword into his scabbard and rubbed his hands up over his face and down the back of his head. “If I knew what was wrong, I’d tell you. I think it’s something bad, Cyn,” he looked away, not wanting to look into his new partner’s eyes. “Perhaps it’s time I talk with Julian.”

  He stalked away toward his Jaguar, got in and drove away. No doubt, by the time he got home, Julian would be there waiting.

  Just a block down the street, he sensed her. It was the woman he’d been with. Tonia. Her name was Tonia Mohr. She’d never told him yet he’d found out. Several times, he’d found himself outside her apartment. Once, he’d almost knocked, but sure she wouldn’t want to see him, he’d left.

  He pulled over and lowered the window. She was fighting, and she was in trouble. He jumped out of the car and ran into the darkness. What in the bloody hell?

  She fought like a warrior. Her small sword flashed as she swung, and the demon before her had to jump back to avoid losing his head. If he had been her only opponent, Fallon was sure the demon would have been dead, but another two were circling her, and she fought to keep them all at a distance.

  Fallon drew his sword and approached silently. By the time the first demon noticed his presence, it was too late. As soon as he fell, the next demon sprung toward him. He wasn’t a good fighter, and Fallon was able to finish him off easily.

  He caught a glimpse of Tonia killing the last one. Then, she drew up and studied him, her eyes full of distrust.

  Fallon ignored her obvious uneasiness. “You must have a death wish. You were outnumbered and in trouble.”

  “I’m going to die sooner or later, and I’m pretty sure that when I do, a demon will probably kill me.” Her voice held no fear. She stepped closer, grabbed his jaw, and stared into his eyes. “What the hell are you?”

  Disconcerted, Fallon jerked out of her grip. “A friend. And how do you know about demons?”

  She ignored his question. “I don’t believe you. I don’t trust anyone with demon blood. And you are definitely part demon.” She took a step back.

  “Demons cannot have sex without feeding. If you remember correctly, although I know our ‘encounter’ was quite rough, I didn’t bite you.” Fallon gave her a bored look, but his heart raced. Was it possible he was showing demon characteristics as she’d described?

  She shrugged a shoulder but didn’t shield her sword. “Perhaps you’re a different type.” She scanned the area before her green eyes locked with his. She was still breathing hard.

  A pang of lust raced through him at the lifting and lowering of her breasts. He lowered his lashes in a way that he knew always made women instantly wonder what he was hiding. “Perhaps you need to be reassured?”

  When he raised his gaze, he could see that he was affecting her. Her lips parted seductively, but then, she took another step away from him.

  “You’re bad news. I don’t like that I have a hard time saying no to you. I’m not going to say yes this time.” She walked past him toward his car. “Can you give me a lift? I seem to have killed my date.”

  Minutes later, Tonia’s legs were wrapped around his waist. Fallon took her proffered nipple into his mouth and flicked at it for just long enough for her to throw her head back and scream.

  Not able to hold back, he thrust into her. In one stroke, he became fully sheathed. Both of them moaned loudly. Her body tightened around his shaft, and she pushed up slightly and fell back, creating friction that almost made his knees buckle. He looked up to see that her eyes were hazed with passion. It was the most beautiful sight.

  Growling, he pumped into her over and over again. She grabbed his face and forced his mouth up to hers.

  She kissed him almost savagely until she had to stop to cry out as she climaxed, her entire body quivering. Fallon followed.

  Fallon was shocked when she slapped him hard across the face.

  “I didn’t say yes!” She glared at him but didn’t move away from him.

  “You didn’t say no either,” Fallon replied, his lips curving into a smile. She gave a husky laugh. He grinned more widely when she tensed abruptly, feeling him hardening again.

  “Say no,” he urged her, pushing his hips into her. “Say it, or I’m not going to stop.”

  “No,” she gasped and rolled him onto his back. “You don’t do anything this time.” Her long blonde hair created a silken curtain around their faces as she leaned forward, her breasts just inches from his mouth, causing his mouth to water. Then, she began to ride him, and he lost all ability to think.

  Two hours later, he pulled into his driveway. Even from there, he sensed the Roman’s presence. It was time to find out what he was becoming. After that, he had to figure out what to do about Tonia.

  She had an effect on him.

  A strong effect that he wasn’t prepared for.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Julian didn’t turn to face him when he walked into the library. Fallon wasn’t surprised to see Roderick present. He sensed more Protectors in the house. Cyn and Logan were probably there but were not in the room.

  Fallon went directly to his liquor cabinet and poured some whiskey. “Would anyone like a drink besides me?” He was careful to keep his voice casual, not wanting to piss off Julian more than he probably already was at having to wait hours for him to arrive. “I apologize for not being here sooner,” he spoke, not looking at either man.

  “Look at me.” Julian’s words were not a request but an order.

  The glass almost slipped from his hand as he placed it down. He glanced at the liquid as it sloshed around, wishing he’d taken at least a swallow. He met Julian’s gaze and flinched as raw power slammed into his mind.

  After a few minutes, he began to shake and fell to his knees. As hard as he tried, he could not pull his eyes away from Julian’s. Sharp pains stabbed into his skull, but he couldn’t cry out.

  He barely saw the Roman as a haze covered his line of vision. Vaguely, he heard Roderick speak.

  “That’s enough, Julian. You’re going to kill him.”

  Finally, the needles in his brain began to fade, and Fallon dove face first into the carpet.

  He heard footsteps and was then picked up and placed on the couch. Moaning from the sledgehammer rattling in his head, he grabbed at his temples and tried to sit up.

  He was pushed back down on the couch, and he growled in response. At the moment, regardless of Julian’s status, he wanted to get up and punch the fucker.

  Instead, he lay back, taking deep breaths to relieve the pain.

  “The demon stone in you is very strong,” Julian told him matter-of-factly. “You
can control it. For now.”

  Fallon opened his eyes and blinked trying to focus on the Roman. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”

  “I know you passed out one night while attempting to rescue a woman. You didn’t report it. You were bitten by a demon and fed some of his blood while you were out. It seems that a Master is preparing you for possession.” Julian’s brow wrinkled in thought.

  “This has happened before. Whoever this demon is, he needs a strong body to possess. He must be losing his powers. I can only suspect that when we removed the key from here, he had to find another source of power. You see, once his powers are depleted, he needs to abandon his body and possess another. Most humans cannot tolerate possession by a Master, which is why they target immortals.”

  “Well, I won’t allow it.” Fallon stood and swayed a bit before walking back to retrieve his drink. He needed to do something to keep from taking a swing at Julian. “What did you do to me?” he asked, jaw clenched.

  “I delved into your mind to retrieve your memories. I also placed a block there to keep the demon from being able to track you.” Julian eyed Fallon’s glass. “You might not want to do that.”

  Defiantly, Fallon downed the amber liquid, his eyes locked on Julian’s. No sooner did the fiery liquid go down than it came back up. He sputtered and coughed when it exited through his mouth and nose.

  Julian’s lips curved. “You can’t eat or drink for a few hours, until your system stabilizes. I had to do a lot of work to get through some recent vivid memories to get to the base of your problem.”

  In spite of the burning in his nose, Fallon knew exactly what Julian was referring to. Rage surged in him, the idea that Julian knew of every instant of his time with Tonia didn’t sit well.

  Roaring, he ran toward the Roman and tackled him to the ground.

  Unfortunately, Julian was very powerful. He shoved him back, and Fallon flew into the air, not stopping until he bounced off the ceiling and back to the floor, landing with a heavy thud.

  “Check your temper, Protector,” Julian told him, walking out of the library. “I will need to reinforce the block in a few days. This is only a temporary fix. Unless we find the Master and destroy him, eventually, the demon will win.”

  Chapter Forty

  Wendy was in terrible danger. Kieran didn’t know how he knew, but there wasn’t any doubt in his mind that she was in trouble. The feeling so strong, it woke him from a dead sleep. Albert whined next to him but didn’t wake.

  Kieran put his arm over his face and tried to ignore it. Unfortunately, the connection between them was too strong to discount. If demons had Wendy, there was little he could do, given the current state of his life.

  Living in hiding.

  It had to be a mistake, he justified, just an effect of missing her. Besides, how could any harm come to her when she was in the protective custody of Julian the Great?

  Moments later, the room shifted, and he couldn’t ignore it any longer. Somehow, Wendy must have been separated from Julian or her Fae mate. Terror tore through Kieran. Gripped by fear for her, he jerked from the bed and stalked out the front door of the old house on Fraser lands. This time, Albert roused and followed him outside.

  Ian Fraser, the current clan Laird, had graciously allowed him temporary lodging. Kieran had told him he was in need of a sabbatical and that he’d only be there for a short length of time.

  Only until the hunters found him. He figured it wouldn’t be long. Surprisingly, Julian’s sentinels had not arrived, not yet.

  Perhaps because of Wendy’s disappearance, Julian’s focus had moved away from him.

  The shrill sound of a bird caught his attention, and he watched the small creature fly across the field toward the tree line. A chill overtook him, a cold sweat breaking out on his brow. Choice gone, he ran back inside. Pulling his sword from under the bed, he jammed on a black T-shirt and his shoes and went to his car. He would not allow demons to hurt Wendy. From the strength of the sensations, he could tell she was not far.

  What was she doing in Scotland?

  He took Albert back to the house and closed the door on the barking dog. Once behind the wheel, he honed his senses, reaching out in every direction for a trace of the woman who haunted his dreams nightly. She was alive, of that he was sure, but terrified. When he found her, whoever had dared to touch even a hair on her head would die.

  The strength of his connection with her astounded him. Right now, she was terrified and calling to him.

  No. Kieran jammed the car into drive and stomped on the gas. He knew where she was, and it wasn’t a good place.

  The darkness helped Kieran keep from being seen as he eased his large frame in between two huge boulders. Several demons patrolled around the solitary house on the outskirts of Plockton, a small Highland fishing village. Leaves rustled behind him.

  It wasn’t the wind. He pulled his dagger and prepared for whomever or whatever was moving toward him through the vegetation. A moment later, a hand slammed his hand down onto the boulder, sending his dagger into the darkness. He slipped out from between the rocks, silently rolling the assailant over while pulling another dagger and placing it to his neck.

  “Fallon? What the hell are you doing here?” Kieran whispered, pulling the dagger back from the Brit’s throat. But only a little.

  Fallon’s eyes glowed unnaturally in the darkness, just as he knew his did. “I was sent on Julian’s orders to look for you,” he whispered back. “But then Wendy went missing, and our orders changed.”

  “You came to kill me?” Kieran pushed the dagger deeper into the man’s throat. “We were partners.”

  Fallon attempted to shrug. “I wasn’t going to kill you, kill you.”

  “Well, that makes me feel all warm inside.” Kieran released him, only to hear another rustle behind him. “Who now?”

  “Hello, Kieran.” Rowe’s voice at his ear took him by surprise. Of all of the Protector’s he knew, the Moor had to be the most dangerous. His ability to move undetected was unsurpassed.

  “You came to kill me, too?” Kieran hissed, turning his face to Rowe, a longtime friend.

  The Moor was barely detectable, laying so flat on the ground, with only his eyes visible, and only because he allowed Kieran to see him. “I’ve never been to Scotland.”

  “Newsflash for you, Rowe,” Kieran replied. “You’re immortal. You have plenty of time to take a vacation and travel, asshole.” Although Rowe did not respond, Kieran could sense a slight smile on the man’s face. “Look, can we put off killing me until after we rescue Wendy, please?”

  “Good idea,” Roderick replied through the darkness. “I’m surprised the demons are not all over us with all this yakking.”

  Kieran was flabbergasted. “You came to kill me, too?” Roderick was not only a long-time acquaintance but also his brother’s best friend.

  “No, I just got here, came to rescue Wendy,” Roderick replied. “I don’t think Fallon and Rowe planned to kill you, kill you.”

  “What is kill me, kill me?” he hissed, then shook his head. “Forget it, you’ll explain later, or you’ll kill me later, whatever you decide. For now, can we come up with a plan?”

  “Yeah,” Roderick handed him an earpiece. “I’m glad to see you, Kieran.”

  The Protectors moved stealthily toward the house from different directions. Kieran crouched behind a tree and studied the simple two-story house. A departing car caught his attention, and he angled his head, listening. Fallon’s voice came through loud and clear. “The Master demon is out. I will create a diversion, ensure that I’m seen. That should give you about three minutes, five tops, to get in and get Gwendolyn out.”

  This was followed by Roderick’s order. “Move.”

  There were four demons guarding the perimeter of the Scottish Master’s home. By the lack of a security system, it seemed the Master didn’t feel overly threatened.

  Then again, most of the Protectors assigned to the UK were tied up in
London, Glasgow, and Dublin, which were bigger demon hotbeds. Moving toward the back of the house, he heard a soft rustle as Rowe dispatched a demon guard, killing it before it could alert the others. The tingle on the back of his neck alerted him that Fallon had been spotted.

  Sure enough, a shout came from the front of the house. “Intruder!” His intended target ran toward the guard who’d yelled, leaving him a clear path. Roderick materialized beside him and hoisted him up to the window. He clung to the side of the building, hanging from his fingertips. He looked down. The area was clear. Roderick was gone as covertly as he’d appeared.

  Pulling himself upward, Kieran shimmied to the third floor window and peered in.

  Wendy sat on the bed, her head bent as if in prayer. Her hands were not bound, and she didn’t look to be hurt. He rapped on the glass softly.

  When she raised her face and spotted him, her eyes widened, but she didn’t move. Smart lass.

  The demon guard outside her door would pick up on any sudden movements. He signaled her with his hand to come to him and mouthed the word “slowly.”

  She glanced at the door, stood, and began moving toward the window.

  The bedroom door opened, and the demon looked in. Wendy hands pulled on the bottom of her shirt, and she turned and glared at him. “I’m about to get undressed and lay down. Go away.”

  The demon’s gaze scanned the room before he backed out of the room, closing the door with a firm slam.

  Wendy slid the window open, and Kieran motioned for her to climb out. She frowned past him to the ground but did not hesitate. First, she swung her legs out, then slid down and clung to him.

  Kieran shimmied over to the end of the windowsill, her slight weight not bothering him in the least as he felt for a foothold and then began to climb down to the ground.

  The precious cargo made his descent more cautious than it would have been if he were alone. The entire time Wendy remained silent, she did not even whimper when he let go and fell to the ground. His heart filled with pride.