Tide - By Daniela Sacerdoti Page 0,88

word they used, as if Winter were a beast.

“If we get the slightest hint that you’re conniving with demons, Winter, we’ll crush you,” Morag said calmly.

“Why would I?” Winter replied, aghast. “Why would I ever do that?”

“Some Elementals end up serving the Surari, Winter. They become their minions, or even their slaves. If that happens to you, I’ll make sure I’ll rip that seal skin off your body myself.”

As Morag said that, Murdina sobbed and brought her hands to her face. The sound of her fear and horror echoing in high-ceilinged room was burnt forever in Winter’s memory – and the sight of Morag, with Hamish and James on either side, sitting in judgement of them like a heartless queen.

They were dismissed with a wave of her hand.

Stewart met them on the way back to the cottage. Murdina held onto Winter’s arm, gasping as she saw him.

“It’s fine, Mrs Shaw. I’m here to help.”

Murdina breathed out, relaxing ever so slightly, but Winter didn’t allow herself to hope.

Stewart continued, “Winter, listen. They’re not going to harm you. They just want to keep an eye on you, that’s all. I’m sorry.”

Winter looked into his face, so similar to James’s and yet so different – gentler, with dark green eyes, mellower than the harsh emerald of his brother’s. “You knew, Stewart. Didn’t you?”

“I’ve seen you a few times,” he said, blushing. “I never told anyone, I promise you.”

“Of course. I believe you. So, do you think it’ll be OK? Do you think I can stay?”

“I’m sure. They just wanted to scare you. They’ve made their point now. Just … don’t step out of line and you’ll be fine. Mrs Shaw?”

“Yes, my lad?” Murdina put a grateful hand on his arm.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly.

Since that moment, Winter often wondered what would have happened between Stewart and her had she not left. She doubted he would have gone against his family, but she’d never know.

Stewart was wrong, of course. They didn’t leave Winter alone. James didn’t. She kept well away, trying to melt into the landscape, spending most of her time in the sea on the other side of the island. She hoped that would be enough, that she wouldn’t have to leave.

But one afternoon, James came looking for her. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t out of control. It wasn’t rage that had taken hold of him and brought him there to Machir Bay, looking for silver-haired Winter. She saw him from afar, striding on the sand, a young man of nineteen with cold eyes and something in his hand: a silver dagger, engraved with Celtic patterns. She stood from where she was sitting on the rocks overlooking the sea.

Rage burnt inside her. With all her heart and soul, she hated him. And she hated Morag Midnight. They had destroyed Mairead, and they had sat in judgement of her mother. They’d called her a monster, an abomination. She hated them both, and Hamish too.

James stopped at the feet of the sea rocks and looked at Winter with cool, calm eyes.

“I’m getting married soon. To Cathy.”

She was taken aback. What was he expecting her to say, congratulations?

“Poor Cathy,” she replied.

“Very funny. By the time I get married, I want this island to be clean.”

Winter understood at once what he meant. She knew that the blade he was carrying was for her.

“I won’t use the Blackwater, Winter. It’d be too painful for you. I’ll use this,” he raised his sgian-dubh, “and I’ll make it quick. You might as well let me do it, because sooner or later, I’ll get you.”

Winter was terrified, but anger had the best of her fear. She saw red, and threw herself on him. He was too strong for her, Winter’s only real strength was in the water. He held her down, and his hands were burning her skin already.

“Not the Blackwater,” she implored, hating herself for begging, but to have her skin and flesh and bones melt away like she was some demon … She didn’t want to die that way, she couldn’t.

“No. Don’t worry, Winter,” he said, and his voice became strangely soft. “It won’t take long.” He looked her straight in the eye as he pushed the sgian-dubh into her side, slowly, tenderly even. When he took it out Winter thought she’d die from the pain, but he stroked her hair and held her.

“Shhhh. It’ll be over soon,” he whispered.

But it wasn’t over soon at all. He had pierced her so that she would lose blood slowly, and her