Midnight's Captive(58)

“Are you one of the men Charon spoke about who helps guard this village?”

The man nodded. “Aye. I’m Brian. Phelan told us to keep watch, but we’ve no’ gotten further instructions.”

“Charon will return soon. Until then, continue to stay on guard. If Jason Wallace or any of the group that was with him returns, call Charon immediately.”

Malcolm walked past the man to the stairs, since he couldn’t jump off the building without raising suspicions. He wasn’t sure how much Charon’s men knew.

“Are you staying?” Brian asked.

Malcolm stopped and looked at the distant mountains. Thick mist obscured the peaks, promising miles of solitude, lochs of crystal-clear water, and plenty of glens to get lost in.

“Nay,” Malcolm finally answered. “My job is done.”



Laura came awake in an instant. Her eyes flew open the same time she sat up. She quickly examined the narrow room to discover she was alone. In a bed.

She had no memory of getting there. However, she remembered all too clearly Lacy’s visit.

The door creaked open, and Laura lifted her eyes to Charon who filled the doorway. Her heart stopped in her chest to see him standing there, hale and hearty. Her lips parted, words locked in her throat.

How could he be alive? Then she remembered seeing his wounds heal. Had he never been dead? Had she mourned for nothing?

His dark brown hair was parted to the side and looked as though he had run his fingers through it multiple times. He sported a deep shadow of whiskers on his cheek and jaw, but it was the worry in his beautiful dark eyes that caused her stomach to clench in dread.

“I thought you were dead,” she whispered when she finally found her voice. It was still such a shock to see him standing there.

Charon let out a long exhale and softly closed the door. He leaned against it, his hands shoved in the front pockets of his faded jeans. “How much did you see?”

“I saw…” She swallowed when her voice gave out. “I saw you change.”

“I dreaded as much. You doona need to fear me, Laura. I’d never harm you.”

“Where am I?” she asked, not yet ready to talk about what had happened.

Charon dropped his chin to his chest. “MacLeod Castle. It’s the only place I know of that Wallace can no’ get to easily and hurt you.”

She assumed as much by the stone walls and floors. Laura gathered the blanket in her fingers. “Are you a Warrior?”

“Aye,” he answered without hesitation. “I’m immortal with special powers from the primeval god inside me. I suppose Wallace told you that.”

Laura nodded and looked at Charon through her lashes. “He told me droughs were good.”

“Of course he would.” Charon’s voice was flat, emotionless. As were his eyes when he lifted them to her. “Is that how he got you to go with him?”

“How did you know?”

“We’re excellent trackers.”

Laura couldn’t hold his gaze. So he had come for her. Why had she doubted him? “Yes, that’s how I went with him. One minute I was scared, and the next, I felt as if I were safe. I suspect he used magic on me.”

“I’m sure he did.”

“You tell me droughs are evil, he tells me it’s the mies who are evil. I don’t know what to believe. It’s all so confusing.” She swallowed and looked at him. “I’m scared, Charon.”

For several long minutes he said nothing. Finally he replied, “There is a group of people downstairs who’ve risked their lives for centuries to protect you and every person in the world. The Druids are mies. Their magic is pure and powerful, and they have helped take down two evil droughs—Deirdre and Declan. They’ll aid us in taking down Jason as well.

“The Warriors have gone through Hell and back again. We’ve lost brethren and friends, but we keep fighting because if we doona, the evil would win.”

He paused, a muscle in his jaw jumping. “The MacLeods have opened their home to you. Everyone here would put their lives on the line to protect you. If you doona believe the people in this castle are no’ evil, then do everyone a favor and leave.”

Laura felt as if she’d been kicked in the stomach. She gasped, struggling for a hold in this ever-changing world she was now in. “If you didn’t want me here, then why did you bring me?”

“A question I’ve been asking myself. For all I know, you’re working with Wallace now, and you’re here to betray me.”

“I’m not.”

He laughed wryly. “They all say that, but we’ve seen how a drough can use magic to get in someone’s mind. I have to know for sure, Laura.”