The Bewitching Twin(3)
Aliss had traveled only a few feet when the potent cry of a wolf halted her abruptly. She shivered, for it sounded close by. Caution had her taking careful steps, hoping not to alert the animal to her presence, yet knowing tardy steps could mean capture.
She now had two predators to worry about and no way of protecting herself with her hands tied behind her back. She twisted her wrists, loosening the ties as she walked.
A few feet more and hearing no other sounds, she stopped and with haste used the side of a tree to work the cloth off her mouth. When free, she spat out the gag and took several deep breaths.
She hurried off again, praying she was headed in the right direction. When sunrise was near, she would seek shelter and remain hidden. Her absence in the village would be discovered when she did not arrive to share the morning meal with her sister. She always let Fiona know if she were unable to attend, so that she would not worry. Her sister would realize right away that something was wrong and go in search of her. Fiona and Tarr would then be on her trail in no time. She had to remain free for a few more hours and then she would be rescued; she was certain of it.
A sudden noise pierced through her thoughts.
She failed to identify it and that sent fear racing through her. She hastened her pace just as she recognized approaching footfalls.
Someone followed her.
Was it man or beast?
Chapter 2
A wolf’s soulful howl ripped through the night. Aliss finally shook her hands free of the ties and broke into a run. She doubted she could outrun a wolf but then she was not sure who stalked her.
She jolted to a halt when her captors burst out of the woods and surrounded her. They circled her with their arms extended, keeping her caged, allowing her no avenue of escape.
“We have her, Wolf,” the cleric cried.
Dread hit her like a mighty wave. Wolf was the leader of the barbarian Wolf clan from the north. He had attacked the clan Hellewyk on two occasions, causing much damage yet taking no lives. It had been surmised that he had been searching for someone within the clan.
Had that someone been her?
The men moved away from her, leaving her unguarded and alone to face the Wolf. Fear made every limb tremble and wiped away what courage she had managed to maintain. A brief thought to drop to her knees in a show of submission to the terrifying Wolf crossed her mind. However, pride interceded, along with her sister’s firm reminder that strength was a shield that deflected the mightiest of weapons.
The clouds shifted apart and drifted off, releasing the moonlight to penetrate the darkness.
He emerged from the darkness with the sleek grace of an animal confident in his skills and potency and with no fear of any foe. He was of a towering height, made even more intimidating by the black wolf head draped over his shoulder, the tail of the beast hanging at his side. A black leather tunic, leggings, and boots almost succeeded in obscuring him in the darkness.
Moonlight danced off reddish golden streaks that raged through chest-length dark blond hair, while harsh lines and solid curves of muscle, which would seem hard to some, ran smoothly together, startling the senses. Blazing green eyes that matched her own pinned her to where she already stood frozen.
He made his way to her and without a word grabbed her, flung her over his shoulder, and took off into the night like an animal all too familiar with the shadowy landscape.
It was not long before they reached the end of the woods and entered the stretch of rocky and ragged land that preceded the coastline. She knew that when they set foot on open ground there would be no options left to her.
Her fate was sealed.
Sunrise greeted them as they approached the rowboats that waited at the water’s edge. In the distance, Aliss could see the outline of a large boat, Viking in style though different enough to make one wonder about its origins.
The Wolf dumped her into the rowboat, and when she attempted to scramble out in one last try for freedom, he grabbed her arm and yanked her back. She fell against him, hitting hard muscle. He held her firm, her face plastered to his solid chest and the wolf’s face staring her right in the eyes.
It surprised her that he carried no dirk or sword at his side, but then the strength of his hands warned her that they were weapons enough to do severe damage to a man let alone a woman.
The rowboat rolled with the waves as it left the shore and Aliss cast sorrowful eyes on the Scottish coastline, fearing she might never set foot on her homeland again. She grew ill at the thought, and that, combined with the rough roll of the boat, made her feel ready to heave.
She raised pleading eyes to him, and before she could say a word, he turned her quickly, bending her over the side of the boat. With an arm around her waist, he held her head as she retched repeatedly.