Falling for Angels - Hazel Hunter Page 0,30

guessed.

“The Arch Keeper chose me. I may go where I like with but a thought,” he added. “Only I didnae ken where you’d gone. ’Tis your power.”

“It’s really not.” I thought for a minute. “Okay, last night I dreamed about Christmas. There was an earthquake that day, and it smashed Deb’s favorite snow globe.” I grinned. “That’s it—it’s not me, it’s her. She did this. She wants to tell me something.”

“Then you’ve been bespelled.” Ellar scooped me up in his arms. “I’ll try to return us.”

“What if you can’t, and I’m stuck here forever?” Suddenly I wanted to go back. “Never mind, you wouldn’t care.”

“Oh, I’d care.” He kissed me until I practically turned into goo. “Hold tight now, lass.”

Kendric found some spell trace on the stone floor, but before he could do anything more Gayla and the Taxman suddenly appeared. They both laughed and hugged while the rest of us stared.

“Be still, my lady,” Kendric said, and pulled from the pocket of her gown a small sack. “’Tis time magic.” He tossed it into the hearth, and sparks burst from the flames to form a glowing image of Deb.

“Sorry, Gayla,” she said, and then looked at me. “Coco, talk to the Skaraven. Use the portal to go back and stop this.”

“Wait,” I said, hurrying over. “Stop what? Why did you do this? Can’t you get away from Ruith?”

“Bae, I am Ruith.” Deb faded away.

I still don’t understand the trick Deb pulled on me, but Coco and McAwesome are going to talk to the Skaraven. I’m staying here because duh. Ellar is my guy now! He stayed away because he thought he was too dull for me. Only he isn’t, plus he can pop in my room whenever he likes.

By the way, he likes to every night.

Chapter 25

Shamaness

After my bae Deb delivered her message I knew I had to follow up. Master Gowan assured me the only way to travel quickly to Dun Mor, the Skaraven stronghold, was by portal. Since only he could control one, he’d have to go.

My husband wasn’t thrilled by the idea.

“They’ve despised druids for indenturing their clan, Gabrielle,” Griogair said, his violet eyes dark with worry. “They’ll no’ welcome you.”

“Gill sent a heads-up to Chieftain Brennus.” Naturally I’d heard all the scary stories about the Skaraven, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. “Plus, if they get nasty, I’ll kick their asses to London.”

The next morning Griogair made me take his favorite dagger before he kissed me good-bye. He also muttered something to Kendric in Gaelic.

“Did he threaten you?” I asked as we stepped into the circle of stones.

“Aye. If you dinnae return unharmed, he’ll geld me with a dull blade.” Kendric tucked my arm through his. “Slowly.”

The ground opened under us, and we dropped into a threshing whirl of leaves. A blink later we stood in another stone circle in a huge, ancient-looking forest.

“Better than my last trip,” I said to Kendric. “You okay?”

The druid nodded past me, and I turned to see three very big warriors with blades drawn. To demonstrate my druid power, I turned and high-kicked a huge boulder, sending it sailing over the trio’s heads. It crashed somewhere south of us, taking a swath of trees with it.

“Anyone want to visit Britannia?” I asked sweetly. “Like, right now?”

All three lowered their swords.

“Welcome to An Monadh Ruadh, Lady Gabrielle. Dru-wid.” The warrior curled his lip at Kendric before he added, “Our shaman expects you.”

The Skaraven led us through the woods and over a river to what looked like half a mountain carved into a castle with a strange patch of stone pillars blocking the main entry. From that rock warren emerged the biggest Scotsman I had ever seen. Silver streaked his black hair from each temple, and he had gray eyes that reminded me of the moon. Ink curved on his forearms in what looked something like rackets or paddles cut in half.

The big guy stopped in front of us, stared at me hard, and then bowed. “I’m Ruadri, shaman of the Skaraven Clan.”

“Gabrielle McGillean. This is Kendric Gowan, our druid tribe headman.” Another clansman passed us and stared at me. “You’re okay with visitors now, right?”

“Aye.” Ruadri gestured toward the stone pillars. “Come inside, and we’ll talk.”

Over hot brews in an incredibly ancient great hall I explained the situation with Ruith, how one of them had sent Gayla back in time, and what Deb had said to me about being the dark druidess.

“I’ve known her since we were