Falling for Angels - Hazel Hunter Page 0,18

the sound. ’Twould take the full garrison to guard them all.”

The discussion ended soon after that with nothing decided, which left me with the fun choice of tapping my way back to my room or loitering in a dark corner of the hall. Neither appealed to me.

A big, gentle hand folded around mine. “Just the lady I wished to find.”

“Hey, Duncan.” I hadn’t met Ualan’s brother while I could still see, but I recognized his deep voice. Head of the night watch, he often found me wandering around, thanks to my insomnia. He’d even carved my cane for me. “What are you doing up this early?”

“Eamas takes the watch tonight, Stephanie.” He laced his fingers through mine. “I reckoned you’d favor a ride.”

I loved the idea—I hadn’t been outside in weeks—but I couldn’t use my cane in the saddle. “You have a seeing-eye horse?”

He chuckled. “I’ll keep you safe, lass.”

Duncan steered me out to the stables, where he lifted me into a roomy saddle, and then climbed up behind me. As his arms came around me I leaned back against his chest, which felt pretty massive, and savored his warmth. I already had a huge crush on him, but after Ualan I didn’t need another failed relationship. I just wished I could see him.

I felt his chin brush the top of my head. “You’re a lot bigger than your brother.”

“Aye, but no’ as handsome.” He walked the big horse for a while, and then wrapped one arm around my waist. “Ready?”

“Aye.” I laughed as he urged the mount into a gallop. “Whee!”

We rode like that until the air grew cooler and salty. As Duncan slowed the horse to a walk I heard waves crashing, and gulls screeching. My bandage had slipped almost over my mouth, so I tugged it down and without thinking opened my eyes.

I saw the night sky, filled with stars, stretching over the ocean. I could see all the details, too, from the crests of the waves to the scatterings of seashells.

“Oh my God, I can see in the dark now. Like everything.” I started to turn around, but he stopped me. “What’s wrong?”

“’Twillnae please you.” Duncan swung off the horse and kept his face averted as he lifted me down. “I’m no’ as Ualan, Steph.”

“Your brother is a jerk.” When he glanced at me I went still. “Oh, Duncan.”

A rough-textured port wine stain birthmark covered most of his face and neck. I could see more of it peeking through the laces on his tunic.

“’Tis all over me,” he muttered. “Dinnae stare.”

“You’ve been my friend because I couldn’t see you? Stupid me. I thought you actually cared.” I walked past him to the edge of the water, where I stood watching the waves.

Duncan came to join me. “Friendship, ’twas all I dared hope, even after you broke with Ualan. I ken how I look.”

I wanted to tell him how I felt, and how beautiful he was to me, but something glowing in the water caught my newly-working eyes.

“Do you see that?” I pointed, but he shook his head. “It looks…oh, crap.” I met his gaze. “It’s a herd of calpa.”

Too many for us to fight alone.

He pulled me behind a big rock and pressed me against him. “Dinnae make a sound.”

I held my breath as the shape-shifters came galloping out of the water. As soon as they made it to land they took on the appearance of villagers and fishermen, and scattered in different directions.

Once they were out of sight Duncan hugged me. “We’ll warn the clan and track them, my love. Thank the Gods you’ve the power to see them.” He hesitated before he said, “You could begin anew with Ualan now.”

“Sorry, but I’ve already fallen for someone else. Big guy. Super sweet. Huge beauty mark.” I kissed his dark cheek. “I’d like to see the rest of it, too.”

Later that night I did—and mapped every inch with more kisses.

Chapter 16

Cornered

Becoming a laird’s wife turned out to be a bit more complicated than simply surviving a plane crash to travel back in time to fourteenth century Scotland. Helping my husband manage his clan of immortal warriors while watching out for my girls (twenty-first century cheerleaders of Scottish descent just developing their own powers) kept me constantly busy. Many of Gill’s men had fallen for my Angels, but squabbles sometimes tested their relationships—and my patience.

We were just finishing up breakfast one morning when Gill’s weapons master and the best tumbler on my squad got into an argument.

“You