Highland Sanctuary (27 page)

"But the kirk could destroy my future."

"The kirk doesn't control yer future, God does, if ye let Him. It may be time for ye to leave the village. For everything there is a season and it may be that our season in this place is now over."

"Ye'll come with me?" Serena heart leaped with hope. She couldn't imagine leaving her mother here. Ever since her secret had been discovered at the market, her faith had wavered, testing her through temptation and confusion.

"Aye. My home is where ye are, Serena."

A bold knock warned them that someone was at the door. Doreen's head appeared, a bright smile on her face. "Serena, ye've guests downstairs waiting in the great hall."

Gavin rode Sholto toward the site where the new kirk would be built. He planned to check on the villagers' progress and offer to help them, and see if he could discover any trace as to who could be behind all the recent actions. He needed to think of something else besides Serena. She frustrated him. How could she admit to loving him and then refuse to wed him?

He arrived, expecting to see villagers cleaning and rebuilding, but the place was deserted. Much of the burnt timber had been removed. Patches of soot covered the area where the kirk used to be.

A rustle of leaves caught his attention. He turned his horse to the left and noticed a narrow path in the woods. Gavin motioned Sholto forward. He ducked under a low branch, keeping a slow pace, ever mindful of the unexpected.

Low voices carried through the trees. Gavin dismounted and tethered his horse nearby. Continuing on foot, he unsheathed his sword. He stepped lightly on the ball of his toes, careful not to reveal his presence.

"Tell me where it's hidden. Ye know this land rightfully belongs to 'is lordship—an' everything in it. When the estate is legally his, he'll remember yer loyalty. Ye can stay 'ere an' farm the crops all ye want."

Gavin didn't recognize the man speaking, but he leaned against a branch to listen.

"Iain McBraigh owns this land," Quinn said. "I don't believe it belongs to ye. Show me the deed. Why do ye not live at Braigh Castle? None of it makes sense."

Gavin imagined Quinn scratching the side of his large head as he often did.

"Forget the estate. How about I help Serena prove her innocence to the kirk?" Another male voice asked.

"How?" Quinn asked.

"Ye don't need to know how." The other man sighed. "That's for me to 'andle. All ye've got to do is trust me."

"But ye said Serena is possessed and I know she isn't. Ye told everyone that the village is full of evil spirits and that is why all the bad things have been happening." Quinn coughed.

His response concerned Gavin. He stroked his chin, trying to decide the best way to approach them.

"I'm not sure I can trust ye," Quinn said.

Gavin had heard enough. Someone was trying to take advantage of Quinn's slowness. Whoever it was had gone too far. With deliberate purpose, Gavin struck his sword against the leaves. He stomped and thrashed around to announce his approach.

"Tomas? Quinn? Anyone around?" Gavin raised his voice.

"Over here," Quinn answered.

Gavin broke into the clearing where Quinn towered over two men. One was short and stout, the other, tall and slender. Quinn held an ax where he'd been chopping wood. Two horses grazed nearby. Quinn grinned, a gaping hole replacing his front teeth. The men turned, their eyes widening in surprise. The thin one offered a smirk. The short one pursed his lips in a frown.

"I came by to see yer progress on the kirk. Where is everyone?" Gavin asked, looking at Quinn.

"We took a break today to catch up on some of our own household chores. The women went to the castle to visit Serena and Evelina. They've been working into the wee hours, sewing new gowns to replace what they lost in the fire."

"That's verra thoughtful," Gavin said. "Serena and Evelina will be thankful."

"Beacon says we're all family, an' family helps and supports each other."

Gavin swallowed in unexpected discomfort. These people really acted like family. They pulled together in hard times, defended one another, and shared their faith. He'd witnessed them caring beyond themselves and their immediate families to sacrifice for each other.

"Have we met?" Gavin turned toward the men, raising an eyebrow.

"My name's Donald and this is Kenneth." The thin man gestured to his friend with his thumb. "We work for the earl, who sent us to offer Quinn and Beacon some business. The earl would like another supply wagon." He reached up on his toes and laid a hand on Quinn's large shoulder. "Isn't that right?"

"Aye, an' we can definitely use the work. They asked 'bout the cave, but I canna tell them about it. 'Tis a village secret." Quinn puffed out his chest in pride.

"What cave?" Gavin let his gaze drift from Quinn to the men.

"'Tis naught but a legend. We're only teasing 'im." Donald's lips thinned as he glared at Quinn. He waved his hand to dismiss the subject.

"What's going on here?" Beacon sneaked up behind them, his hands fisted on each hip. His brows wrinkled in concern as his gaze traveled to each of them.

"I didn't tell 'im about the cave, Beacon. I promise." Quinn held up his hands in surrender. "Honest."

"Who's asking 'bout a cave?" Beacon asked.

"Donald and Kenneth." Quinn pointed at them.

"Never mind what I said," Donald interrupted. "We heard there was a cave nearby. I only asked Quinn if he knew aught 'bout it. 'Tis all." They walked past Beacon and grabbed their horses' reins. "Let's go." They climbed upon their mounts and vanished through the woods.

Once they were gone, Beacon turned to Gavin. "And what about ye?" Beacon crossed his short arms, a scowl upon his face.

"What about me?" Gavin stood his ground not easily threatened. "I came upon them when I stopped to see the progress on the kirk and heard their voices. Ye're right about them trying to trick Quinn. That Donald fellow made quite a few promises from the earl that I doubt he'd keep."

"I'm not surprised." Beacon looked back to where the men had gone, his expression a frown. "I've never trusted the earl or his men."

"What's in the cave? In spite of what they tried to make me believe, Donald seems to believe it exists, and whatever it is—he wants it—bad enough to make false promises."

"There's no cave!" Beacon met Gavin's gaze, his dark eyes narrowing. "Come on, Quinn." Beacon stomped away and Quinn followed, his shoulders slumping.

Gavin followed. "Beacon, tell me, someone is trying to murder the people in this village. Let me help before it's too late."

"I'm aware of that." Beacon snapped. "Ye think I need remindin' of it? In this village we stick together and take care o' our own. We're fond of ye, Gavin, but ye're still an outsider."

Gavin walked back to Sholto and mounted him. Serena would be the one who would most likely tell him about the cave. Too many strange things were happening, and somehow, he had a feeling that the cave was involved. At least he now knew the earl was up to something, but he had no proof he was behind the other things.

A while later Gavin arrived at the castle. He walked into the great hall and stood in stunned silence at all the chaos. The cobbler's daughters were all in tears, wiping their eyes and faces. Lady Fiona stood with her arms folded, glowering. Father Kendrick and Iain were bent over a lass lying on the floor. Kyla paced, wringing her hands in distress. Cara edged around them, reaching out to feel for the lass on the floor.

Gavin's heart lurched. Was it Serena? He strode over and bent beside Iain.

"We'll have to exorcise it out of her. I've no experience in such matters. I'll have to send for help from the local bishop. In the meantime, we'll need to tie her down to keep her from hurting herself." Father Kendrick pressed her quivering shoulders against the floor.

"Tying her up won't be necessary," Gavin said. "I've seen this before. It's a physical condition, not a possession. In a few moments she'll be fine and calm again. She isn't a danger to herself or anyone else for that matter," Gavin said.

"Ye jest!" Lady Fiona said. "'Tis the most horrible sight I've ever seen. Something is definitely controlling her." She pointed at Gavin. "She's bewitched ye! I know she has."

"Ye're a liar!" Kyla whirled, stomping toward her. "A fever controls one's body an' ye don't claim the person to be possessed."

"That isn't the same thing." Lady Fiona retreated, leaning her head back from Kyla's reach. "The people in Braighwick were telling the truth."

"Iain, get these people out of here. Ye don't want it jumping from Serena to another weak soul," Father Kendrick said.

Gavin reached over and pulled the vicar's hands from her and met his gaze. "With all due respect, Father, ye canna cast out something that doesn't exist."

"Serena, wake up." Gavin spoke softly in Serena's ear as he knelt by her bedside. He shook her shoulder. Her head hurt as she protested and pulled free, rolling over.

"Ye must wake now!" Her mother's stern voice echoed near her face. She pinched Serena's right cheek. The pain jolted through her head. Serena's eyes flew open. Her mother lay beside her, perched on an elbow. Her green eyes were full of worry . . . and tears.

"Do ye remember having another falling fit?" Evelina asked. "Father Kendrick believes ye're possessed. He wanted to tie ye up and lock ye away. But for the grace of God, Gavin was able to encourage Iain to defend ye."

"We've got to figure out a plan," Gavin said. "Father Kendrick is appealing to the local bishop for an exorcist to cast out a demon that ye don't have." He rubbed his eyes. "Iain can only resist the kirk for so long before he too becomes a target for sheltering and defending someone they consider to be possessed." Gavin stood and paced around the chamber. "I'll write my da to see if he has any connections who could help us."