Silent Vows (19 page)

Fin took her hands and forced her to look at him, “Listen to me. You and Simon have a special bond. Every mother and child of our kind does.”

“Our kind?” Liz pulled her hands from his. “I’m done with this Druid crap. I just want my son back.”

“Then listen to me.” He grabbed her hands again, and forced himself into her view. “Close your eyes and listen to me.”

“Why?”

“Your bond will help us find him, Elizabeth, so stop the tears and concentrate.”

His tone was angry and direct, perfect to snap Liz out of her rising hysteria. “Slow your breathing, think of the air going in and out. Good. Now, think only of Simon. Call out to him. Keep breathing slowly.”

One breath followed another. Todd stood back and watched the two of them holding hands. Fin closed his eyes as well and spoke to her in calming tones. His words soothed her and focused her.

“Where are you Simon? I’m looking for you.

Simon.”

Around them, mystical light started to swirl, and the air lifted their hair. A soft glow caught on the particles of dust the wind picked up, covering them in a blanket of sparkling lights.

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She called to him, over and over.

Her lips parted. “I think I hear him,” she whispered. “Please, Simon. Where are you?”

****

Simon lay in the backseat of a large sedan. His feet and hands were bound, his mouth covered in tape.

His kidnappers drove in silence. The man, tall, blond, and not past forty drove, while the old woman watched the passing terrain.

Her piercing glare drove into him the second his eyes fluttered open. They stayed only seconds before returning to the view from her window.

Scared, more than he had ever been in his whole life, Simon curled into a ball and shook. He knew who the woman was, and with that knowledge, a sense of impending doom settled over him.

Choking on a whimper, he started to cry, but his nose clogged up, and he found it difficult to breathe.

When he closed his eyes and tried to get control, it was then he felt the old woman’s presence in his mind, looking.
Get out
! He shouted the words in his head over and over.

Slowly Grainna’s presence faded on the inside, but he felt her glare from the front seat. Keeping his eyes shut, he ignored her as best he could. It wasn’t easy.

Then he heard his mom crying out to him. Her voice cried over the rumble of the car and the noise off the road.
Mom,
he called out in a desperate plea.

Help me.

****

Liz almost fell to her knees when she heard his voice. Fin kept her upright. “Ask him where he is.”

Liz squeezed his hands and spoke in her mind.

“Winding road. Trees out the window,” she said aloud for Fin. “He’s so scared.”

“Have they used the stones?” Fin calmly asked.

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Shhhh...Simon, have they used the stones?

No...they didn’t work.

Did they say where they’re going?
Liz felt her connection fading, heard only Myra’s name and woods before it was completely shut off.

“Simon, Simon!” But he was gone.

“What did he say, Elizabeth?”

“I didn’t hear him well. I heard him say Myra and woods. What do you think it means?”

Fin rubbed his hand along his short beard.

“Grainna is trying to go back. If the stones didn’t work she is looking for energy to bring them power.”

“Would there be energy where they were last used?” Todd asked.

“Aye. Some.”

“Then she’s headed to the forest.”

****

Orange and red hues on the horizon spread out in front of them, capturing a few clouds darting across the sunset. They would have enjoyed the sight in any other situation.

Fin coached them both on keeping their thoughts to themselves when they made their approach to where they believed Grainna to be. “She can read people clearly, to the point where she knows your next move. Sing a song in your head and keep her confused.”

Adrenalin shot through his system with an eerie familiarity. Todd parked off the road, close to where he had parked just over a week prior.

They walked the familiar path with what little light the day held. Ahead of them, voices caught on the wind.

“Turn them on.” The demand came from the man who held Simon by his shirt and yelled in his face. “I don’t know how.”

Grainna cut the cords that bound Simon’s hands 163

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and pushed him to his knees. “Touch it.”

With a shaking hand and trembling lip, Simon held his hand out to the stone. Nothing happened.

No pulse, no heat. Nothing.

Grainna screamed in frustration and raised her hand to strike the child.

“Touch him and you’re dead.” Todd’s gun leveled at her head, he clicked off the safety. Satisfaction came with the surprise on her face.

Grainna lowered her hand and slowly let a smile creep to her lips. “Officer Blakely, so nice of you to join us.” She moved to the side and let them all get a full view of the boy cowering under her feet. “Your gun doesn’t worry me, or did they forget to tell you of my immortality?”

“They told me, but I’m thinking you might not like the hole it puts in you or the pain it causes.”

“You stupid little man.” Grainna twisted her fingers, and the air left Todd’s lungs. His vision started to swim, and his gun wavered.

Fin said, “Let the child go, Grainna.” He stood next to Todd, with his arm gripping Liz around the waist to keep her from running to Simon.

“Now why would I do that?”

“Because he can’t help you,” said Fin.

“And you can?”

“I can activate the stones.”

Grainna looked from Fin to Todd. Her fingers stopped rubbing together, and air rushed into Todd’s greedy lungs. Gasping, he lowered his gun.

The blond with Grainna pulled Simon to his feet and used him as a human shield. Grainna nodded her approval. “Mr. Steel here will hold young Simon until all the stones are working.”

“Mom?” Simon cried out.

“Leave him alone.” Lizzy’s wail put a smile on Grainna’s face.

She cackled. There was no other way to describe 164

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Grainna’s laugh. Todd realized Myra hadn’t exaggerated when she described this witch.

“Hurry, Finlay, I’m growing tired.”

“I need to be in the circle,” he challenged and stood taller, releasing Liz.

“We will try it without you.”

Steel held Simon with a force that made the boy cry out. The knife he held pressed against Simon’s neck kept everyone tense. Liz slowly moved closer to her son.

Grainna sputtered a curse and had Liz on her knees gasping for air.

“Leave her be. Or I will not touch them.”

“Hurry, Finlay. I have one here.” She motioned to Simon. “And you have one there. Unless you wait and that one dies.”

“No!” Simon yelled and struggled against the man who held him. “Mom!”

Fin moved quickly, placing a hand to the rocks.

They sputtered to life. Unlike when Todd watched Myra use them, now they appeared weaker, failing.

Liz gasped for breath as each stone was lit. Todd motioned for her to stay down with a slight movement of his hand. She stayed on her knees and watched as Todd moved closer to the circle with a vigilant eye on Grainna.

In turn, the witch watched Fin light the last stone and demanded, “Send us back.”

Todd circled behind them and knew when Fin caught his movement, an unspoken agreement passed between the two men.

Fin chanted the rhyme, his words clear and loud keeping the attention of Steel and Grainna.

When the wind started to shift and the fire surrounded the ring, Todd noticed Liz inhale deeply and jump to her feet. Everything around him moved quickly, giving him no time to think and only seconds to react. Todd lunged, tackling Grainna to 165

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the earth when the world outside the circle started to shift.

Fin and Liz bolted into the circle at the same time. Liz grasped Simon around his waist and fell to the ground.

Everything outside the circle dripped from Todd’s sight.

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Chapter Fourteen

The vortex surrounded them. With no earth under them and no gravity to pull them, they sat in a state of weightlessness.

Todd felt Grainna beneath him, her frail body struggling to be free.

He found himself coughing and losing his breath. The world around him changed. Colors swirled in different shades, more vibrant than he had ever imagined.

Maybe it was the loss of oxygen to his brain, or the realization he was traveling through time, but he could have sworn he heard Myra’s voice telling him to hang on.

As quickly as the wind hit, it stopped. Air rushed into him as he kicked out to put distance between him and the object who stole his breath.

He managed to collect enough air, crouched in a defensive position, and looked around to see what was coming.

Liz covered Simon with her body. Fin stood, with sword ready to strike at her side.

Steel hovered over Grainna, eyes confused and searching.

Todd yelled for the others to run, at the same time aiming his gun at the enemy. Without warning, he fired. Against all training, he let the round go without thinking of the consequences. Without 167

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regard for the enemy it took.

Once the shot was fired, he took off after the others. He looked over his shoulder briefly only to see Steel dragging Grainna away.

Fin heard Todd’s order. He covered Liz and her son under his protective arms. In flight, he grabbed two stones and ran.

The moist earth quieted their escape. Only the sound of panting breaths broke the silence as they ran. Because Todd had no way of knowing where he was, he followed Fin blindly, all the while thankful for every breath he took. Grainna’s power over him had been merciless. He would never again underestimate her.

The sky darkened the outline of the Keep looming above them. Fin bellowed an order for the doors to open as they approached the massive gates.

Slowly, the heavy frame of wood opened and accepted the son of the Laird and his company.

“Gregor, help Lady Elizabeth and Simon inside, quickly. Raise the gates and post extra guards.”

Todd took in Gregor’s clothes. A tunic and leggings and a double-sided sword clasped to his back and another one attached to his waist. Gregor eyed Todd’s clothing with trepidation, and unspoken questions.

Jesus, I’m not in Kansas anymore.

Not that he thought for a minute they were still in California, but the Keep and the man at the gate sealed it for him.

“Aye, My Lord.”

Gregor wasted no time following the orders sent out by Finlay.

****

Myra slept in a chair by the fire in her room when the commotion from below woke her from her restless dreams.

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It was Fin’s loud voice that made her move.

She stood at the top of the stairs and watched the scene unfolding in front of her.

Lizzy clutched Simon in her arms. The boy cried, his bruised and bloodied face streaming with tears.

Both were dressed in blue jeans and shirts. Fin ushered them to the stairs and headed to where their rooms had been during their stay.

The world tilted out of focus when her eyes landed on the lone man at the bottom of the stairs.

Joy leapt in her heart at the sight of him. Her eyes burned into the back of his head until he slowly turned in her direction.

His jaw dropped, his gaze swept over her from head to toe and his face lit up. With a twinkle in his eye, he bounded the stairs two at a time.

His name barely passed her lips before Todd folded her into his embrace. His kiss was demanding, deep with longing. She hardly believed he was there, full of life, pressed against her.

Stunned, her body molded to his, exactly where it should be. Her hands lifted to his face, held it in place for fear he would leave. She broke their kiss long enough to ask, “Are you really here?”

He seemed confused. “I don’t know.” His answer delighted her.

He didn’t stop kissing her until the sound of a throat being cleared caught their attention.

At the bottom of the stairs, Ian scowled up at the two of them. His hands perched on his hips told them both he wasn’t happy with what he saw.

“Unless you plan on marrying my daughter this very evening, I suggest you step aside.”

They both sprung back.

Myra clasped her fingers together, uncertain how she should act.

Todd helped her by taking her hand and walking her down the stairs.

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“Todd Blakely,” he announced while extending his hand to her father.

Ian extended his hand in a firm grip. Myra took a small breath, thankful her father didn’t call him out right then and there.

Ian’s look never wavered or gave a clue to his emotions. “
Laird
Ian MacCoinnich.” He emphasized his title.

Lora stepped from the shadows breaking some of the tension rising in the room.

“Welcome to our home, Mr. Blakely,” Lora offered.

“You must be, Mrs. MacCoinnich.”

“
Lady
MacCoinnich,” Ian corrected, his deadly stare unwavering.

One of the servants took that moment to announce dinner was about to be served.

“Maybe we should finish the introductions once you are more suitably dressed,” Ian told him.

Lora removed her hand from her husband’s arm and moved in. “Sir Blakely, come with me. I am certain Fin has something for you to wear. We wouldn’t want too many questions that we can’t answer.”

Ian nodded his approval and watched Lora hurry Todd up the stairs. He stopped Myra when she started to follow.

“Do I have to remind you that such displays outside of marriage will not be tolerated?” He wasted no time getting to the point.

“No, father.”

“So he is the man who...” He saved her the embarrassment of finishing his sentence.

“He is.”

Ian turned so fast she had to move quickly. “And I am to accept him into my home?”

“Just as he accepted me into his.”