Highland Mist (17 page)

“To be dangerous,” Conall finished. “St. Joseph.” He rose and began pacing. “Just how dangerous is she?”

“How is Glenna dangerous?” Angus asked.

Gregor raised his black eyes. “She wasn’t lying, Conall. Your clan would all die.”

“Surely there’s a way to get the clan out,” Conall said.

“How is Glenna dangerous?” Angus asked again, his face becoming red in his agitation at being ignored.

“Fire,” Conall and Gregor said at once.

Conall slid into his chair. “Fire is her power.”

“She’s got no control over it?” Angus asked Gregor, his eyes wide with confusion.

“She doesn’t know how to,” Conall answered for Gregor. “That’s why Moira was so insistent to get to her.”

Gregor nodded and poured himself more mead. “What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know,” Conall answered, and looked up to find Ailsa walking toward him. “What are you doing out of bed?” he asked with a smile.

“I wanted to tell you what happened today,” she said in a small voice.

Conall picked her up and put her in his lap. “I know what happened today. Glenna saved your life, but don’t worry we’ll find who did it.”

“A man told me you wanted me. That’s why I left the castle, but I think he tricked me.”

Conall raised his eyes to Angus and Gregor. Their shocked expressions mirrored his own. “What did this man look like?”

“I’m not sure. He had a cloak on and it covered his face.”

“You didn’t see anything else?”

She shook her head. “All right,” he said, and set her on her feet. “Off to bed with you. We’ll find this cloaked man.”

After Ailsa was gone from the hall, Conall ran his hands through his hair. What was he to do now that there was a cloaked stranger in his castle?

Gregor whistled through his teeth. “Finding a cloaked man shouldn’t be hard, but I’ve a feeling he wore the cloak only to hide himself from Ailsa.”

“You’ve the right of it,” Conall agreed.

“What are ye going to do?” Angus asked this time.

“I don’t know,” Conall said, and walked from the room. He needed time to think.

Alone.

* * * * *

Glenna sat on her bed and stared through her narrow window at the sun making its descent, waiting for the time she would meet Moira. She had made sure she remembered her way through the caves when Conall had walked her back.

Excitement coursed through her. She hated deceiving Conall, but she was a Druid. She couldn’t ignore the yearning within her. Still, the thought that she was doing something she wasn’t supposed to sat heavy on her heart, but she couldn’t deny that ever since she came here she was finding herself, little by little.

She rose and left her chamber. The castle was busy with the evening meal as she made her way down the stairs. A glance told her the hall was full, which would occupy Conall. He had left her alone this night, and she was sure he would continue to do so. She quickly made her way outside.

Once in the bailey, she kept to the shadows and headed for the cave. When she was in the cave, she grabbed a torch and took a deep breath before heading into the darkness.

Before she knew it she had come to the spot where Moira had been. After a deep breath, she forced her feet to move and soon found herself in the forest, the stone circle ahead of her. She couldn’t believe no one had stumbled upon this before.

“They cannot see what they don’t believe,” Frang said from behind her. “And we don’t discourage the ones who do believe. We’ve nothing to hide here, Glenna.”

She bit her lip. “You read thoughts?”

“I could tell by your expression what you were thinking.”

She laughed, relieved that she didn’t have to guard her thoughts. Moira stepped forward then and offered her hand.

“Are you ready to learn more of the history of the Druids?”

Glenna willingly went with her and sat while Moira’s words began.

“The Druidic philosophy of balance between spirit and flesh is oneness between the physical and spiritual. This is a unity we hold as a natural, healthy and necessary state.”

Glenna closed her eyes. There was magic around her and she eagerly opened herself up to it.

“We also recognize a oneness with this world and the Otherworld,” Moira continued, her voice soft and smooth. “The Otherworld is a substantial place, just like ours. Though the laws of time may differ in as much as they don’t age like we do, their magic is more powerful and commonplace.”

“Magic,” Glenna whispered.

“The realm of the Otherworld is made of earth, water and wind. It’s energized by fire.”

Glenna’s eyes popped opened. “What are these Otherworld beings?”

Moira walked closer and peered deeply into Glenna’s eyes. “They are the Fae. It’s they who gave us the prophecy that you are a part of.”

“Don’t all Druids hold powers?”

“Nay. You are different, special. You were given those powers because you were born on a Druid festival, Imbolc, that is marked by fire and water.”

“And the other two?”

Moira lowered her green eyes. “One was born on Lughnasadh, the celebration of life, and the other was born on Beltaine, the return of the sun.”

A chill raced down Glenna’s spine. She glanced around and saw the Druids dressed in masks and scantly clad. Her eyes jerked to Moira. “Tonight is a feast.”

“Aye. Beltaine.”

“I want to see.”

“It isn’t time,” Moira stated, and turned away. “This is the most powerful night for the Druids. The veil between worlds runs thin this night. You don’t know enough to understand and you could be hurt.”

Glenna refused to listen. How could Moira tell her these things but expect her to stay away. She kept her thoughts to herself and concentrated on learning of her power.

For the next two hours she began to learn to control the fire. It took immense concentration, and she was attempting to create a fire when Conall’s voice boomed around her.

“Moira! Moira, I’d speak to you now,” he demanded.

Glenna jerked her eyes to Moira. “How did he know I was here?”

“He doesn’t,” she answered. “He wants to talk to me about you. I’ve been expecting him since MacNeil left. Stay hidden,” she said before walking to him.

Glenna ducked behind a huge pillar so she could see Conall. He stood outside the circle, the moonlight surrounding him in its glow. His hair hung loose around his shoulders, giving him a primal look, and the memory of its silky feel heated her skin.

“What brings you here so late?” Moira asked him.

His jaw flexed. “Why did you help me earlier?”

“Because Glenna asked it of me.”

He nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you know where Iona is?”

Moira’s head bowed and her hands fisted at her sides. “Nay. I wanted to tell you, but I knew you wouldn’t listen even though you could’ve easily used your gift.”

“Gift,” he bellowed. “It’s not a gift but a curse.”

“How can you say that? You’ve used it often enough. You should know yourself if MacNeil is lying.”

He waved off her words. “Why didn’t you help Iona?”

“I…we couldn’t, Conall. It was her destiny. She knew it for years.”

“Explain yourself,” he said, and took a step toward her.

Glenna became afraid for Moira but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned and found Frang beside her.

“Don’t, lass. Moira can take care of herself,” he cautioned.

Glenna doubted it for she knew how Conall fought, but she didn’t argue.

Moira took a deep breath. “I’ve no need to explain. You know what I speak of for you were told of your destiny as well.”

Conall snorted. “You’re mistaken.”

“Do you hate us so much that you’ve turned against what is in your blood?” Moira asked, incredulous. “I knew you hated me, but I thought it was because of Iona. But it isn’t just me, is it?”

He neither denied nor agreed with her assessment, but by the silver glint in his eyes Glenna knew Moira had struck upon something painful.

“It’s your oath.”

Conall turned his head away from her and stared into the trees. “A man is made or broken by his oaths.”

“But you made another oath,” she said softly.

Glenna wished she could see Moira’s face. Whatever she had remembered seemed to change many things. But Glenna’s heart when out to Conall as he struggled with his anger and resentment.

Conall chuckled, but it lacked humor. “You knew I did. You were sitting beside my mother. Did you forget so easily?”

She didn’t answer him. “So that’s why you don’t want Glenna here.”

“I knew it wouldn’t take you long to figure it out.”

“You cannot deny what is inside you forever. Even now you’re fighting against the inevitable.”

“By the…what’s that supposed to mean?”

Glenna was surprised to find that Moira turned and looked at her.

“Are you expecting Frang to help you?” he asked, and began to pace.

Moira smiled and turned back to him. “You must remember what was told to you. If you don’t all could be lost.”

He raised his head and looked around. “Moira? Come back. I wasn’t done.”

Glenna blinked and Moira had disappeared. Conall glanced one way then the other, demanding Moira show herself. Moira came to stand beside her. “You must go back now. He’ll be headed to your chamber. And, Glenna, stay there tonight. Don’t venture out.”

With Moira’s warning ringing in her head, Glenna rushed into the cave. She didn’t stop running until she had reached the bailey, and it was only then she realized she had entered the caves without a torch.

The chants of the festival reached her and she knew she wouldn’t return to her chamber. She wanted to see what went on. She wanted to be a part of everything. Surely taking a peek wouldn’t hurt anything, she thought and walked out the gates.

The castle and bailey were deserted, but she didn’t wish to be spotted. So when she found a cloak near the gatehouse, she quickly slipped it on and pulled up the hood. It wasn’t hard to find the celebration. The fires could be seen from the castle.

Glenna hastened to the forest where the largest fire roared, sending its orange glow high into the trees. She ducked behind a tree as a couple came into view. Both wore masks and naught else. Their passion was palpable, and Glenna had no wish to alert them to her presence.

With silent steps she walked closer to the fire, hidden behind a huge stone. Moira and Frang stood by the fire, their hands raised to the sky while other Druids danced around a large mound of earth.

Glenna had never seen anything like it before. She pushed back the hood of her cloak to see better. Grass, greener than any she had ever seen, covered the mound. Something pulled at her soul and she closed her eyes.

Magic.

Magic flowed pure and fierce from the mound. Her eyes opened at a hissing sound. Bright white light poured from a slit that suddenly opened in the mound. Then many colored lights flew from the slit.

The colored lights soared fast and furious around the Druids and forest. The brightest came to stand in front of Moira and Frang. The white light surrounding the being diminished and Glenna could make out a human form.

The woman was more beautiful than mere words. Her hair glowed like gold that hung past her hips. Her face was perfection, as though an artist had created her. A glance around showed Glenna the bright lights had weakened to reveal many more beautiful beings. This is what Moira had told her about. These beings were from the Otherworld where magic was a way of life and didn’t need to be hidden as it did here.

Glenna wanted to speak to one of these beings, to ask…she didn’t know what she wanted to ask. She just wanted, nay, needed to be near one.

Chapter Thirteen

Leaves rustled in the darkness. The shadow of an owl swooped down from his perch high in the trees to catch his prey. But Moira didn’t return.

Conall stood alone by the stone circle yet he knew he wasn’t alone. The presence of others could be felt, but he couldn’t see any Druids. They had cloaked the circle somehow. And there was only one reason for them to do that to him.

Glenna. She had been there. Aye, she had probably run as soon as he had bellowed for Moira.

He cursed long and low. Moira drove him daft. He should have known better than to try to gain answers from her, but he had found out something. She knew no more than he did of Iona’s whereabouts, but it did little to ease his mind.

The moon, no more than a slit in the inky night sky, hovered above him. He stared hard at it and pondered Moira’s words. What prophecy had she spoken of? Oh, he knew of the prophecy surrounding Glenna, but Moira had made it seem as if there were more.

Something kept nagging at the back of his brain, something he should know, but he couldn’t grasp it firmly. He needed to talk to Glenna. She would clear his head.