Embrace the Highland Warrior

she was alive, and if this was the same demon who killed her mother and father and stole her life, she wanted him dead, even if she had to do it herself.

“I can fly you to New York,” Lachlan said to Anna.

Anna shook her head. “Thanks, but I’ll drive. I have some things to sort out.” She excused herself from the table.

“I hope she starts with that gloomy mood,” Brodie said.

“Leave her alone,” Sorcha said. “She’s got a lot on her mind.”

“Angus and Anna were researching the missing Book of Battles before he was killed,” Bree told Shay. “Anna got busy with something else. When she went back, Angus seemed troubled, but wouldn’t say what was going on. He mentioned something about secret societies and a league.”

“And traitors.” Brodie glanced at Sorcha.

“Are you accusing me of being a traitor?” Sorcha asked, rising to her feet, hands on hips.

Brodie crossed his arms over his chest. “Angus did look right at you when he said it. Now, I’m not saying I believe it. I’d slit your throat if I thought you were betraying our clan.” Brodie’s expression was grave, without his usual good-natured smile. Duncan tensed, eyes narrowed, as Brodie continued. “But I’d like to know why he looked at you when he said it.”

Sorcha looked as if she might morph into a dragon and roast Brodie in his chair, but her shoulders dropped, and she sat down. “So would I,” she said. “So would I.”

“No one’s accusing anybody of anything,” Duncan said. “Who knows what was in Angus’s head? He was always wrapped up in some mystery. Sometimes he saw clues that weren’t there.”

Anna came back in carrying her purse and a duffel bag. “Can someone give me a ride to the car rental?”

Lachlan dropped his fork. “I will.” He wolfed down a piece of bacon, scraped and rinsed the plate he had just refilled, and loaded it in the dishwasher. “Ready?”

“I’ll check on the time vault while I’m in New York,” Anna said.

“Faelan’s time vault is still there?” Shay asked. Talk about an antique! She’d love to see it.

“No. He sent his back, but he found another one in the cellar of my chapel,” Bree said. “We thought Angus brought it, but it’s not his, either. We can’t send it back without the warrior’s talisman.”

“You don’t know where it came from?” Shay asked.

“We have no idea,” Sorcha said. “There weren’t any other warriors in the area, that we know of.”

“We don’t even know how long it’s been there,” Brodie said.

“What about that warrior from Canada who was supposed to help Sorcha?” Ronan asked. “Did anyone ever locate him?”

“Yes. He had an accident on the way. Attacked by two vam…” Anna paused and glanced at Shay. “He never got there, so he didn’t bring the time vault.”

“There’s a key to the house hidden on the back porch,” Bree said. “Feel free to stay there if you need some time alone.”

Anna gave Bree a quick hug. “Thanks.”

“Is she okay?” Shay asked, after Anna and Lachlan left.

Sorcha looked troubled. “She and Angus were close. If she hadn’t been busy, she would’ve been with him. She blames herself for his death.” Sorcha stood. “I’m going to work out my sword arm. I need a partner.” She tugged Brodie’s ear. “How about you?”

“I’d like nothing better than put you on your backside, but I’ve got some things to do,” Brodie said, slapping her hand away.

“Maybe Sorcha could show me that trick where you guys flip through the air—” Bree started.

“No!” Faelan said. “You need to rest. You have a bloody concussion.”

“I’ll rest later. I want to practice with the dagger.”

He sighed. “Ten minutes, then will you lie down?” He added softly, “Please?”

“Okay,” she said, giving him a quick kiss.

“I’ll take you on, Sorcha.” Duncan rose to his feet, standing a full head taller than Sorcha. His gaze was shuttered, but whatever was behind it ran hot.

Shay saw a look of near panic cross Sorcha’s pretty face. She tilted her head. “All right, big boy. After we clear the table, you can show me what you’ve got.” She carried dirty dishes to the sink, her face flushed. She peered out the window. “Cody, there’s a man with the kinkiest hair I’ve ever seen getting out of a truck in your driveway.”

“Back in a second.” Cody opened the door and jogged across the field.

***

“Got her all done,” Darrell said, rubbing his hands over the top of his head, making it look like he’d been electrocuted.

“What’d you find?” Cody asked, looking the truck over. There were scrapes in the paint and the hood was bent where the tree had caught. He’d have it fixed later.

“Brake line was cut.”