Awaken the Highland Warrior

Faelan stumbled to the closest tree, held on, and did just that. Conall dragged him away before Faelan could wipe his mouth.

“We’ve got to keep moving.”

“She was in bed with Druan.”

“Who?”

“Bree.”

“Blimey. They must have given you some kind of hallucinogen. The last place Bree would be is in Druan’s bed.” Conall parted some branches, uncovering a dark vehicle like the one Druan’s minions had driven, but larger. Opening the door, he shoved Faelan inside and buckled his seat belt. Conall jumped in the driver’s side and cranked the engine. “Hang on.”

Conall stared at the winding road. Faelan leaned back, trying to clear his head.

“I’m sorry I lost Bree. She distracted me. Got on another plane in Atlanta before I could stop her.”

“It’s not your fault. She’s strong-willed.” Most halflings were. “How did you find her?”

“I figured she was trying to get back home. I found the next flight to Albany and saw her boarding.”

“You got on the same plane?”

“No. Took an hour to get another flight, but her connecting plane was delayed. Mechanical problems. I got her address from Information, but when I got to her house, she was pulling onto the road. A man was driving. I thought she’d been kidnapped. I tried to follow them, but got lost. Bloody roads. I’m not used to driving on this side. I decided to check out Druan’s castle. Took forever to find it, even with the map coordinates. Just like you said, an empty field and woods. That was an eerie thing, watching the air part like a curtain.”

“How’d you get inside the castle?”

“I found that hidden door around back and headed for the dungeon. Figured if she’d been kidnapped, she’d be there.”

“Did you see her?”

“No. After I found you, there wasn’t time to look. I had to get you out. I’ve taken the same oath as you. There’s more at stake here than one woman, or me. You’re the only one who can stop Druan.”

So much for his plan to keep Conall out of danger.

“I should’ve called for help,” Conall said. “I thought I had it under control, but I almost cost you your life.”

Faelan knew that sentiment well. He remembered his father’s words, as the talisman slid over his head. Warriors need each other. The battle’s not meant to be fought alone. “I would’ve gone to the castle anyway. I’m the one who should’ve asked for help. Let’s say we’ve both learned a lesson.” He’d learned several. “How’d you get my chains off?” Faelan asked, looking at his scraped wrists.

“I didn’t. They were off when I found you.”

“Then who…?” Faelan touched his battered lips. “I think somebody kissed me.”

Conall’s eyebrows rose. “Not me. There was a guy in there with you. Wasn’t him either. He was dead. I heard noises behind the wall. Someone must have been in the secret passageway you told us about. Did Bree know about it?”

“She’s the one who found the map.” Probably drew the bloody thing.

By the time they reached Bree’s house, Faelan was feeling closer to alive. They hadn’t been followed, as far as they could tell, but it was too dangerous to stay more than a few minutes. He drank water until he couldn’t taste the bitterness in his mouth and stood under her shower, watching his blood run down the drain.

He wrapped a towel around his hips and started toward his room to get clothes, when he spotted a small marble cup behind several fallen picture frames on Bree’s dresser. The cup held a pocket watch and a diamond earring. A prickling started under his skin. He picked up the pocket watch and turned it over, his hands moving shakily over the silver. He didn’t need to read the engraving to know what it said.

To ADC, all my love, always.

He didn’t remember bringing it.

Conall poked his head through the door. “Sean says the others should be here by morning. What’s that?”

Faelan shook his head. “My father’s pocket watch. I don’t remember wearing it.” He was sure he hadn’t worn it. How did Bree get his father’s pocket watch?

“Your brothers probably forgot it—” Conall broke off, clamping his mouth shut.

“My brothers?”

“Sorry. I was thinking of something else,” Conall said, whirling toward the door.

“You’re lying.”

Conall stopped, hands on the door frame, and blew out a sigh. He turned, his face glum. “Your father was here. He came with your brothers to help you fight Druan.”

“My father? Here?” The air rushed from Faelan’s lungs. “McGowan?”

“They used fake names to protect their identities.”

Faelan dropped onto the bed, the watch clenched in his hand. “My father was McGowan. Why didn’t someone tell me?”

“The clan didn’t want you distracted.”