Midnight's Captive(36)

“We have a head start.”

Charon wasn’t sure how quickly Phelan could get ahold of the MacLeods. Would it be in time to save Laura? He was certain it wouldn’t be in time to save him.

After so many centuries, his death had finally arrived. He had to die, but Laura didn’t. And she wouldn’t. He’d make sure of that.

“I’ve fought Jason and his Druids before. I know what to expect. You said you trusted me. I’m asking you to trust me now.”

She swallowed and put her hands on her hips as she looked away. “What do you want me to do?”

He grabbed her shoulders to force her to look at him. “The cabin is another three miles. Continue southeast on this same heading. You’ll find it.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You will,” he said reassuringly. “I’ll keep them heading in the opposite direction. Wait for Phelan at the cabin. If Phelan doesna show, only go with Ian Kerr.”

“What of the MacLeods you speak of?”

“Ian will be with them. He and his woman, Dani.”

“Charon—” she began.

He gave her a hard, quick kiss and turned her in the direction she needed to go. After a second, he gave her a little push. “Now, hurry!”

She stumbled forward, and then took off at a brisk run. Charon watched her for a beat before he turned the other way. He quickly removed any evidence of him and Laura, and then set about making sure he left a trail anyone could follow.



Phelan wanted nothing more than to walk up behind Jason Wallace as he got out of his BMW and snap his neck. But getting close enough with all the droughs surrounding Wallace was the problem.

Phelan growled, his god instantly rising to his call. He looked down at his hand to see his skin turn gold. He clicked his long claws together, itching to sink them into the flesh of a drough.

How he despised them. It was always droughs who continued to think they could take over the world. Based on the idea that they were better than anyone else.

Phelan stayed in the shadows, his eyes glued to Wallace. The man was a prick, and would soon follow Declan and Deirdre into death.

There was a niggle of worry in Phelan’s mind though. Jason had proved to be smarter than either Declan or Deirdre. The question was, was he smart enough to best the Warriors?

Phelan waited until Jason and several droughs went into Charon’s pub before he glanced at a nearby rooftop to see one of Charon’s men watching him for the signal.

Phelan gave a nod, and the man ducked from view. Thanks to Charon’s careful planning, the town knew what to do in case of such an event. Phelan just hoped everything went according to plan.

He’d have liked to wait and see where the other droughs with Jason were going as they fanned out in the village, but Phelan kept his gaze on the big brute of a Warrior with Jason.

There was little time to waste, so Phelan crept away and entered through the back door of the bakery. The old woman lifted her head from stirring the batter and gave him a swift nod before going back to her baking.

Phelan reached for the phone on the wall and quickly dialed Fallon MacLeod’s number. Fortunately, Fallon answered on the second ring.

“We have a problem,” Phelan said as he kept watch through the small window of the kitchen door that led out into the main store.

“Phelan?”

“Aye. Wallace is in Ferness. He had a man try to kidnap one of Charon’s employees, a woman. The kidnapping failed, so Wallace showed up here. They were going to use Laura to get to Charon.”

There was a mumbled curse through the phone before Fallon asked, “Where are Charon and the woman now?”

“Wallace somehow cut off the mobile phones. Phelan took Laura out into the woods to try to stay hidden until you and the others arrived.”

There was a sound as if someone covered the phone, and then Phelan heard Fallon bellow for Quinn and Lucan.

“I’ve no’ been to Ferness so I can no’ jump there,” Fallon said when he got back on the phone. “But Ian has been to the village. Where are you?”

“At the bakery. Be warned, Wallace and the droughs are all over town.”

There was some talking Phelan heard through the phone, and he picked up Ian’s voice. Then suddenly, Ian was on the phone.

“Phelan, can you get to the roof of the inn?”

“Aye,” Phelan answered.

“Good. Meet us there. Now.”

Phelan hung up the phone and hurried out of the bakery. The inn was across the street and four buildings down. He was halfway there when he spotted Ian atop the roof before he disappeared.

In the next instant, there were nine people surrounding him.

“Fuck me,” Phelan muttered as he stumbled backwards when he collided with Ian.