Cara moved from plant to plant, coaxing them to grow for her. Many that had been overtaken by the weeds needed more magic. She held her hands over the dirt and closed her eyes while she pictured the herbs growing.
She laughed when she removed her hands and saw the first growth of green pushing through the ground. Every time she saw a plant respond, a strange euphoria overtook her. It was so addictive she wanted to touch everything and help it grow.
Yet she made herself stop. She didn’t know enough about her magic to know what was happening. How she wished there was another Druid she could talk with. The last thing she wanted to do was something wrong that could jeopardize Lucan and their mission to defeat Deirdre.
Cara spotted Quinn walking through the bailey with some pheasants and hares. She rose and met him at the kitchen doorway.
“You’ve been busy,” she said as she reached for the dead animals.
He glanced at the garden. “You as well.”
“I wanted to see if what Galen said was true, that I could help the plants grow.”
“He was right.”
There was no censure in Quinn’s voice, only mild curiosity. She looked down at the ground, suddenly afraid she was making a mistake in using her magic.
“Trust your instincts,” Quinn said. “Trust yourself.”
Her gaze met his. “I don’t want to do anything wrong.”
“I cannot see how aiding plants to grow could hurt anyone.”
She shifted her gaze to the garden. “I know so little about the Druids and my magic.”
He blew out a breath. “Even after three hundred years there is much I don’t know about the god inside me. We’ll watch out for you, Cara.”
Quinn left before she had time to answer, not that she would have known what to say.
* * *
Lucan stood back and looked at the trap. “This should hold a wyrran for a considerable amount of time.”
“Maybe,” Fallon said as he tested the net. “Their claws are as sharp as a Warrior’s.”
“But not as strong. I agree with Lucan. This should hold them for a bit,” Galen said.
Lucan glanced at the opening in the tower. The tower was at the back of the castle, making it a perfect entry point for an attack.
They had set up traps all through the castle, leaving only Cara’s chamber, the kitchens, and the great hall alone. Lucan inhaled and got a whiff of bread baking.
“I’ve missed that.” Galen’s eyes were closed, his lips turned up in a smile. “Fresh-baked bread. I hope Cara made several loaves.”
Fallon chuckled. “I don’t know where Quinn is getting the supplies for Cara, and I’m not about to ask. I’m enjoying the bread too much.”
Lucan nodded in agreement. “I’m hoping Quinn caught some fish. We’re going to need it with Galen here.”
“I’m hungry,” Galen said. “It’s just the way I am.”
“We’ll be hunting extra now with an added mouth to feed,” Fallon said with a teasing grin.
Lucan snorted. “Consider Galen five extra mouths.”
Galen laughed and started toward the great hall. “Don’t worry. I’ll do my share of hunting. I know of a village not far from here where I’ve bought food before. I can get Cara whatever she needs.”
“Good idea,” Lucan said. “We’ll talk to her today.”
“I can leave at first light and be back before supper.”
Fallon licked his lips. “It’s been a very long time since I’ve tasted a decent meal. Get whatever Cara wants.”
Lucan laughed and shook his head. It was good to see Fallon almost like his old self. They walked single file down several flights of stairs, then through the corridor. Fallon stepped into a chamber with a burnt door.
“What is it?” Lucan hesitated by the doorway. Lucan knew by something in the way Fallon moved, the intensity of his gaze, that something was wrong.
Galen turned and walked back to him. “Fallon?”
“Someone is coming,” Fallon said. “Wait. There are two, nay, three of them.”
Galen turned and ran to the great hall without another word.
Lucan hurried to Fallon’s side. “Warriors?”
“Could be.”
“Let’s go see, shall we?”
Fallon turned and put his back to the wall. “And if they aren’t Galen’s friends?”
“Then we fight them if they’re from Deirdre. If they’re mortals, we make sure they continue on their way.”
“Are things so simple for you?”
Lucan took in the lines of worry around his brother’s eyes. “I make things as simple as I can. We won’t know who they are until we go see if they’re coming to the castle.”
“They’re coming,” Fallon said as he walked past Lucan and into the corridor.
Lucan followed. Instead of taking the stairs, he jumped to the floor of the hall. He wanted to find Cara, to tell her to hide, but there wasn’t time. Already he could hear Galen’s voice. All Lucan could hope for was that Cara had kept her dagger with her.
When Lucan walked into the bailey he found Galen on the battlements near the gate house. Lucan hurried to the stairs that led to the battlements. A glance over his shoulder found Fallon following him.
As Lucan approached Galen he could tell by Galen’s tone he knew the men.
“I told you they would come,” Galen said as he faced Lucan. “I know two of the three. The big blond is Hayden Campbell. The one on his left is Logan Hamilton. The other, I’m told, is Ramsey MacDonald.”
Hayden stepped forward. “We saw Galen’s message. Is it true? Are you really the MacLeods?”
“Aye,” Fallon said as he came to stand beside Lucan. “We are the MacLeods. I’m Fallon, and this is Lucan.”
“Where is Quinn?” Ramsey asked.
Lucan glanced at Fallon. “He’s about.”
“May we enter?” Hayden asked.
Lucan turned to Fallon. “What do you think?”
“Do we have a choice?” he asked. “We need them.”
Galen crossed his arms over his chest. “You still don’t trust me?”
Lucan rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “We can take care of ourselves. It’s Cara I’m concerned about.”
Galen chuckled. “I saw her train. You needn’t worry. Anyone that knows how to read the markings I left is a friend.”
Fallon waited for Lucan to make a decision. The steady look Fallon gave him reminded Lucan so much of their father. Lucan blew out a breath and turned back to the men.
“Welcome to MacLeod Castle.”
Fallon and Galen walked down the stairs to greet their guests. Lucan prayed they were doing the right thing. He would never forgive himself if one of the Warriors he welcomed into the castle went after Cara.
“Come, Lucan,” Galen called.
Lucan jumped to the bailey, landing beside Fallon. Hayden with his kilt of bold black, dark blue, and olive green was the first to hold out his arm. Lucan grasped the tall blond by the forearm.
Hayden’s dark eyes held Lucan’s as the blond gave a small jerk of his head. “It’s nice to see Deirdre hasn’t been able to hold you.”
“Not for lack of trying.” Lucan then turned to the next man while Fallon and Hayden spoke.
Logan held out his arm, a friendly smile on his face and his hazel gaze direct. “Lucan.” Logan’s kilt was of muted dark reds, dark orange, and orange. Vibrant, yet suited together.
Lucan took Logan’s arm before turning to the last man, Ramsey. Ramsey was quiet, reserved. His black hair
