Echoes of Magic (4 page)

“
Do you know why the evil
is after you?”

“
Nay. I knew the men who
attacked me weren’t quite...normal.”

She licked her lips, drawing his gaze again
to her full, dusky pink mouth he couldn’t stop thinking about.

“
Did you attack the
evil?”

He shook his head. “Not once. Only Drogan
and Serena had any contact with him. Are you sure it’s the same
evil?”

“
I’ve no doubt,” she said
and wiped her hands on her skirts. “The same stench I smelled the
night I met Serena, I smelled on the arrow we pulled from your
back. I’m sorry, Grayson, but it is him.”

Wonderful.
He was a good fighter and could hold his own
against anyone, but he’d seen Drogan tossed about like a child. The
thing that had attacked Drogan wasn’t human, of that Grayson was
certain.

Adrianna’s hand touched his
arm sending a spark like lightning through him. He met her pale
blue gaze and felt his balls tighten in need.

“
I see the secrets in your
eyes,” she whispered. “I cannot discern what they are, but they are
numerous. Could any one of those be linked to the evil?”

Without a
doubt
. Grayson had been young when he was
yanked from his mother’s arms, but he could still hear her begging
the man to let her go.

“
I’ve lived most of my life
as a secret,” he admitted. “My mother’s parting words to me had
been to hide and stay hidden. It’s what I did. What I do. It’s all
I know.”

“
Yet you’re on the road to
Hawksbridge. What do you seek there?”

Could he tell her? Did he dare? “Answers,”
he finally said.

“
Why there?”

He covered her hand with
his own, loving the feel of her soft skin. “It was the last place I
remember.”

“
I must warn you that, if
you proceed, it will most likely bring about your
death.”

That made him sit up
despite the weakness. He swung his legs over the side of the bed,
ignoring the pain in his shoulder as his legs fell on either side
of Adrianna.

“
Did you look into my
future?” he demanded.

She hastily shook her head
and leaned back. “Nay. It’s only a feeling.”

He gripped her arms. “Then look into my
future.”

“
You don’t really want me
to.”

“
I do. I need to know who
took my mother.”

She stilled. “Someone took your mother?”

He released her and raked a hand through his
hair. Saints, he was tired and hurting. “I was only a small child.
I don’t remember much.”

“
What do you
recall?”

Her hands lay on his thighs
and made his cock harden instantly, painfully. He cursed his body
and tamped down the growing desire flooding his blood.

“
I remember my mother being
frightened, begging me to get somewhere safe, but I didn’t
understand. I didn’t want to leave her. Then men surrounded us. She
wrapped her arms around me to protect me, but I was almost
immediately yanked from her grasp. She had been so worried about
me, but it wasn’t me they took, but her. I can still hear her
screams.”

Adrianna’s heart ached for Grayson. She
couldn’t imagine anyone suffering through that, but most especially
not a child who couldn’t understand. She cupped his face, wishing
she could ease some of his pain. “You’ve been on your own since
then?”

“
Aye. I ran as far and as
fast I could go.”

“
You were only a child.
It’s not as if you could have fought the men.”

His silver gaze burned with anger and
resentment, with a need for vengeance that made her breath catch.
“I can now.”

She dropped her hand and straightened. “Is
that what you intend? To charge into Hawksbridge and battle every
knight there?”

“
If need be until I have
the answers I need.”

“
You won’t gather answers.
You’re going to your own death. How will that help your
mother?”

He lifted his chin, his face grim. “Do you
have a better idea?”

Adrianna studied the warrior before her. She
had no doubt he would charge into Hawksbridge alone, and the
thought of such a man dying left a cold feeling in her stomach.

“
I’ll help you.” As soon as
the words left her mouth, she wondered at her sanity.

His brow furrowed deeply. “Why?”

“
Why indeed,” she murmured
more to herself than Grayson. She rubbed her hands together.
“Aren’t you the least bit curious as to why the evil that attacked
Drogan is now after you?”

He all but rolled his eyes. “Of course. Lest
you forget, I’ve seen that thing in battle. An army couldn’t
withstand its attack.”

“
There has to be some
connection between you, your mother, Hawksbridge and the evil. I
just cannot figure out what it is. Yet. But I can guarantee if you
discover the connection between you and this evil, you’ll find your
mother.”

He was silent a moment before he ran a hand
down his face. “You may be right. I’ve just wanted answers for so
long. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

She came down on her knees between his legs.
Her hands rested on his thick thigh muscles, the heat of him
scorching her. “Let me help you.”

Chapter Five

Grayson snorted. “Battle is no place for a
woman.”

“
I won’t be going into
battle, will I?” Adrianna retorted, holding back her
anger.

“
I don’t understand why you
would want to help me, a stranger?”

Adrianna dropped her hands
and sat on her heels. “I’ve been drifting through life for so long.
I’ve not been living it. Serena showed me that. I want to feel
useful. I want to do something about this evil, because he won’t
stop until you, Drogan and hundreds of innocents are
dead.”

“
He’s gone from
Wolfglynn.”

“
Is he?” Somehow she wasn’t
surprised. “It’s something in Drogan’s past that led the evil to
him. It waited years to seek Drogan out. I don’t think it’s done
with him yet.”

Grayson blew out a breath, his agitation and
frustration palpable. “I know going to Hawksbridge will bring about
my death. I’ve acknowledged that fact, and I’m ready to face it.
You’re a woman, Adrianna. Women have no business in wars.”

“
This isn’t a war. Yet. Let
me help you while I can. Between my magic and my knowledge, we can
get further than you could alone.”

“
I must be daft to even
consider your offer.”

Hope sprung in her chest as she saw him
wavering. “Don’t give me an answer now. Think on it.”

“
I cannot do anything
without my horse and sword. My damned sword,” he grumbled and
fisted his hand.

Adrianna stood, determination filling her.
“Then we find you another horse and sword.”

“
If those men who attacked
me find the gypsies...”

“
They won’t,” she
interrupted him. “They must have thought you dead, or they wouldn’t
have left you.”

Grayson reached up and rubbed the heel of
his hand into his eye. “They didn’t leave me. I escaped.”

“
Oh.” For a moment all
Adrianna could do was stand, her mind whirling with the possibility
the men could find them.

She needed to use her
magic, if for no other reason than to keep the gypsies safe. They
had sheltered her. It was the least she could do for them. But
first she needed Grayson to rest.

She turned, reached for the cup, and poured
more water into it then handed it to him.

He looked from her to the
water. “What’s in it?”

“
Nothing,” she said. “It’s
merely water. You watched me pour it.”

His gaze narrowed slightly, but he tilted
the water to his lips and drank. Adrianna set aside the cup and
gently pushed him onto his back.

“
You need to rest and build
up your strength.”

“
I’ve rested enough,” he
grumbled but his lids began to close.

Adrianna took his empty bowl and left the
cart to find her own meal. Friendly smiles and the aroma of the
meal greeted her when she approached the large fire.

“
Drina.”

She nodded to Milosh. Even as she walked
away she could feel his eyes on her. He had made it known he was
attracted to her, but she had wanted nothing to do with men.

Until Grayson.

After dishing stew for
herself, she moved from the fire to lean against a tree and eat.
Before she realized the connection between Grayson and Drogan she
was going to let him heal naturally.

That wasn’t an option for them now. Her
magic was needed. She wasn’t a great healer, but with her magic she
could speed up the healing. Grayson wasn’t the type of man to want
to lie around and let his body slowly mend. He wanted answers and,
if Adrianna didn’t do something quickly, she’d wake up one morning
to find him gone, healed or not.

And that would be his death.

“
Is your warrior troubling
you?” Milosh asked as he came to stand in front of her.

Adrianna lifted her face to meet his gaze.
“Nay.”

“
May I sit?”

She motioned to the ground and continued
eating. Obviously there was something troubling the gypsy leader
and, if given enough time, he would eventually tell her.

Adrianna wasn’t known for her patience. It
was something she had strived for since she was a little girl
begging her mother to teach her the ways of her people. Years
later, Adrianna still searched for the elusive patience that so
many had.

“
I’m worried, Drina,”
Milosh finally said.

She set aside her finished stew and looked
into the fire. “About Grayson?”

“
About what he brings to
our family.”

The gypsies considered anyone they allowed
to travel with them family. Family was vital to their way of life,
and they wouldn’t stand for anything compromising that. Adrianna
looked at Milosh. He was a handsome man. Strong, capable, and
loyal. Any woman would be happy to have his attention. Any woman
but her.

He hadn’t pushed her but, if she gave the
slightest interest in him, he would be hers forever.

“
Grayson would leave now if
he were able,” she said. “He isn’t well enough yet.”

“
You will use your magic
then?”

He knew her well, so well. Adrianna nodded.
“For several reasons. Grayson cannot stay with the gypsies. Death
would come swiftly to us for I am sure those men are looking for
him.”

“
You think they will follow
him?”

“
They won’t have any choice
but to.” She licked her lips, not wanting to tell Milosh too much.
The less he knew the better. “Once the men realize Grayson isn’t
here, they will continue on their search for him.”

Milosh considered her words for a moment.
“Are these men the evil you speak of?”

“
Nay. They are in league
with him, but they aren’t the evil. Pray that evil doesn’t come,
Milosh, for not even my magic could help us.”

The gypsy leader sighed. “You’re going with
him, aren’t you?”

Adrianna blinked. “What makes you ask
that?”

“
Ever since you found him,
you’ve been more alive than I’ve ever seen you, as if a spark
ignited with his arrival. I just don’t know if it’s him or the
adventure he offers.”

She lowered her gaze.
“There is much you don’t know of me, Milosh, and I think it’s
better that way. I’ll never forget the kindness you and the others
have shown me these past years. I don’t know what I would have done
without you.”

“
So, you are
going?”

“
I want to. Grayson would
rather I not.”

Milosh grunted. “I agree with the warrior.
You have no business mixed with what he faces.”

“
Grayson said the same
thing.”

Milosh turned to face her. “What is it you
seek, Drina?”

“
I don’t know,” she
answered honestly. “It’s almost as if I’ve been waiting for
something. I feel this is it, that I’m supposed to help Grayson.
For without my aid, he’ll most certainly fail.”

“
You think you can fight
this evil?”

She shook her head. “I think I can help
Grayson. I think I’m meant to help him. I cannot explain, so please
do not ask it of me.”

“
I would rather you
stay.”

Adrianna inwardly winced at the hurt in his
voice. “I know too much about Grayson and the evil. If I’m here
when those men arrive, we’re doomed. I must leave anyway. Who
better to protect me than a warrior such as Grayson?”

To her surprise, he reached over, took her
hand in his, and brought it to his lips. His warm mouth pressed
against her bare skin. “You’ve known of my interest in you.”

Adrianna left her hand in his grasp, not
wanting to hurt him more than she already had. “I have.”

“
Is there any hope that you
could one day return my affection?”

Lying to him would only
prolong his hurt, and she couldn’t do that to him or herself. “If
there was any way that I knew I would be yours, I would never think
of leaving. You need someone who will bear you many children and
give you years of joy. I’m not that woman.”

Milosh smiled and tucked a
strand of her hair behind her ear. “You will always have a place
here with us, Drina. We’re your family.”