Shadow Highlander

THIRTY-TWO

Galen motioned Reaghan next to him. As soon as he’d seen her, he’d had to make himself stay seated and not go to her, not kiss her so that every male there knew she was his. Marcail whispered something before Reaghan walked over to him.

“What was that about?” he asked

“She was going to have the Warriors introduce themselves so I would know their names.” Galen set down his goblet. “Tell me who you know.”

“You, Logan, and the MacLeods. I know Hayden, as well as Broc.”

“All right,” Galen said. “You know Cara is with Lucan, aye?”

“Aye. Marcail is married to Quinn, and Larena, the female Warrior, is married to Fallon.” Galen handed her an oatcake. “Correct. What do you know of Hayden?”

“Only that he is very protective of Isla. And very tall.”

“True enough,” Galen said with a chuckle. “So that only leaves six for you to know. The scoundrel across from me is Ramsey MacDonald.” Ramsey, with his cropped black hair and piercing silver eyes, regarded Reaghan for a moment. “Welcome to MacLeod Castle.” “He doesn’t say much,” Galen said. “But when he does, we tend to take notice.”

Reaghan smiled at Ramsey. “I appreciate the welcome.”

Galen then pointed down the table to the twins. “Those are the Kerrs. The one with the long hair is Duncan. The other is Ian. They are so similar, that without their hair being different, I fear none of us could tell them apart.” “Speak for yourself,” said a man on the other side of Galen.

Galen leaned back so Reaghan could see Arran. “And this one is Arran MacCarrick.”

“A pleasure,” Arran said to Reaghan.

Reaghan inclined her head.

Galen motioned down the table with his chin. “The last Warrior is Camdyn MacKenna. He’s the one toward the end of the table with the long black hair.” “And the man next to him with the scars is Malcolm?”

“That’s right,” Galen said.

“He seems … lonely and withdrawn.”

Galen put his elbows on the table and grabbed a piece of cheese. “He doesn’t feel as though he belongs. He spends a lot of time wandering the cliffs.” Fiona and Braden walked into the great hall then, and as usual Braden ran to Logan. Galen watched Logan with the boy for a moment before he felt Reaghan’s gaze on him.

“Logan seems to enjoy Braden.”

Galen nodded and turned back to Reaghan. “Logan’s past is like a darkness growing inside him. If we doona maintain control, the god can take over, which is what Deirdre wants.” “So she can control you?”

“Aye. Logan, like many of us, keeps his past to himself, but for whatever reason Braden brings back the smile we’ve all expected from Logan.” Reaghan placed her hand on Galen’s arm. “Then I’m glad Braden and Fiona are staying.” Galen gazed into her gray eyes. He wanted to take her back to her chamber and make love to her again. Galen was just about to suggest it when Mairi appeared at the top of the stairs.

“Reaghan,” he said.

She frowned and turned her head. “This cannot be good.”

“Let Fallon talk to her,” he cautioned.

Just as Galen expected, Fallon rose from his seat. “Mairi. Would you join us?”

“I will not,” the elder said, and let her harsh glare roam the hall. “I should never have allowed Galen to scare me into bringing my people here.” Reaghan’s nails dug into his arm. Galen placed a hand over hers and tried to offer whatever comfort he could.

“Galen used his power to control minds to make us come here,” Mairi continued. “He’s turned Reaghan against her own people. He’s taken her to his bed and turned her into an insatiable whore.” The anger inside Galen bubbled and rose as Mairi’s viciousness turned on Reaghan. His fangs filled his mouth, and he knew if he looked down at his skin he’d find it the dark green of his god.

“Stop it,” Reaghan said as she jerked to her feet. “Stop the lies, Mairi. I will hear no more of it.” The elder shook her head. “They aren’t lies. Ask Galen what his power is. Every Warrior here has some kind of power.” “And every Druid has some kind of magic,” Isla said, her voice hard and full of fury. “Why do you fear the Warriors so?” “I’ve told you,” Mairi screamed. “Galen forced us.”

“Enough!” Fallon bellowed. “You are making outrageous claims, Mairi.”

The elder raised her chin. “They are the truth.”

Reaghan had never felt such rage in her life. To hear the woman she had considered a mother say such things about Galen was appalling. And Galen had yet to speak up for himself.

“You could have stayed at Loch Awe,” Reaghan said. “You could have stayed and taken your own life as Nessa and the others did. No one forced you. Galen and Logan offered to bring us to safety. It was your choice. Yours alone.” Mairi snorted, her face a mask of hatred. Reaghan had never seen her like this before. The hall was deathly quiet, everyone waiting to hear what Mairi said next.

“No Warrior can be trusted, Reaghan. All but you and Fiona know that. I guess it feels good to have a man between your thighs. So good you will betray your own people.” Reaghan’s knees gave out, and it was only Galen’s strong arms that kept her on her feet.

“Arguing with her only makes it worse,” Galen whispered.

Reaghan shook her head as tears stung her eyes. She was embarrassed, humiliated. The MacLeods had opened their home and given Reaghan and her people shelter. How had Mairi repaid their kindness? By treating the women as servants and degrading everyone at the castle.

“See?” Mairi screeched and pointed to Galen. “He whispers in her ear telling her what to do.” Reaghan tore out of Galen’s arms and strode to the foot of the stairs. “Stop this now. Galen was giving me comfort. You’ve always been so kind and wise. Please stop saying such awful and untrue things.” The laugh that came from Mairi was filled with hysteria and cruelty. “He used his powers to get inside my head.” “He did it for Reaghan,” Logan said. “I was there. He threatened to do so because he wanted answers about Reaghan, answers you refused to give.” “And why would I tell you anything?” Mairi spat.

Galen finally stood. “We were worried about Reaghan.”

“Tell me, Warrior, have you ever gotten into someone’s mind and commanded them to do something?” Mairi asked.

Coldness swept over Reaghan when Galen didn’t answer. She swiveled her head to find his gaze on the table, his skin flashing green. Reaghan’s heart broke for him, for the position Mairi had put him in.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said.

At the same time Galen answered, “Aye.”

“I knew it,” Mairi said, and clapped her hands like an excited child. “I knew you were as evil as I suspected. I knew you got into my mind and forced me.” As one Cara, Marcail, Isla, Larena, and Sonya rose from the table and walked to stand beside Reaghan. Their show of support brought tears to Reaghan’s eyes.

“I’ve heard enough.” Fallon’s voice, low and deep, carried throughout the hall. “If you doona wish to stay, then by all means, you are free to leave. You’ve never been a prisoner.” Lucan stood and leaned his hands upon the table. “We offered you sanctuary from the evil that is hounding you outside these walls. But we will not stand to hear such vile comments from you again about Galen, Reaghan, or anyone else in this castle.” “So leave,” Quinn said as he gained his feet. “Leave and find yourself in Deirdre’s hands. It matters no’ to us anymore.” Mairi swung her gaze to Reaghan. “I’m not leaving without Reaghan.”

“You doona have a choice in the matter,” Galen said.

Reaghan started up the steps until she stood in front of Mairi. “I’m only going to say this once more, so listen very carefully. I’m. Not. Leaving.” Mairi’s smile was calculating and cold. “Oh, aye, you will. If you want the answers you’ve sought about your past and the memories that elude you, you will come with me.” “Why?” Reaghan was immediately suspicious. Why was it so important she leave with Mairi? “Why would you tell me now?” “Why not?” Mairi asked. “If I leave you here, you will die. At least with me, you stand a chance.” There was an indignant gasp behind her. Then Cara said, “Deirdre knows you are here. They will be waiting for you. There is nothing you can do to get away from her except to stay here.” “With you?” Mairi asked, and sneered down at Cara. “I’d rather rot in Hell.”

“That can be arranged,” Lucan said with a deep, dangerous growl.

The color drained from Mairi’s face, but she didn’t back down. Reaghan wanted answers, but she didn’t want to leave the castle. It was a choice she had never thought to have to make.

“You’ve always been like a mother to me. I don’t understand why you’re doing this.” “Reaghan,” Mairi said. “I will tell you everything. Just come with me.”

A shiver of dread raced down Reaghan’s spine. The more Mairi talked the more Reaghan knew she lied. It was there in her eyes, in the bleakness and coldness of Mairi’s brown gaze.

But Reaghan wanted to test her theory, wanted to back Mairi into a corner.

“Tell me now, and I will go with you.”

Mairi rolled her eyes. “I’m no fool, lass. I’m not saying a word until you are away from this pit of wickedness.” “Tell me something now. In good faith.”

Galen felt as if someone had ripped open his chest. He couldn’t believe Reaghan thought of leaving with Mairi, but then again, Reaghan had yearned for answers for years. Why wouldn’t she latch on to what Mairi offered?

He wanted to snatch Reaghan away from Mairi and keep her by his side forever, but he knew that wasn’t possible. She was a piece of the puzzle to destroying Deirdre. But she was also so much more, more than he ever thought possible.

“Galen.”

He started, and found Fallon beside him. “We cannot make Reaghan stay,” Galen said.

“Talk to her,” Fallon urged. “She will listen to you.”

Galen had given her all the answers he knew. He had nothing else to tell her.

“Tell me!” Reaghan shouted to Mairi.

“You were born in our village. Your mother died in childbirth.”

Galen held his breath, not knowing if what Mairi said was true or not because he wasn’t touching her.

“You lie.”

Reaghan’s words, quietly spoken, reverberated around the hall. The relief that swept through Galen was so powerful it threatened to buckle his knees.

Reaghan was staying. He had never known how desperately he wanted her until that moment, how anxiously he feared her leaving him.

And right after that came the realization that she knew — everyone knew — one of his deepest secrets. The question was, how had Mairi known he had controlled another’s mind before?