my face, neck, arms, and legs. Searing hot agony pierced my abdomen, caused by what I suspected might be a dagger. Whispering my good-byes as if my loved ones could hear, I said to Jamie and Veronica, “Rule with compassion and mercy.”
Then to Mackenna, “My heart will be yours forever.”
I longed to see my fiery red-haired lass so much that I imagined her reply. “Don’t you dare leave me, Duncan MacCrae!”
“I’m sorry, woman.”
“Stop apologizing, you infuriating ogre!” This time, the response was definitely not in my head.
The skellies covering me began to fall back. I first became aware of my legs being freed from attack. Then my torso. One of the monsters on my head, digging into my scalp, rolled away, leaving its bony fingers still embedded in my skin. With my sight restored, I saw that the creatures were not in retreat but under attack by someone wielding a staff—someone with cornflower blue nail polish.
The staff smashed into the remaining skellies covering my body. They split apart, scattering bones across the brush. Breathing a prayer of thanks, I blinked into the severe, bloodied face of Mackenna as she pointed her staff at my chest. “Can you move?”
“You came for me,” I breathed in a shaky voice.
“Always. We’re a team.” Her wide eyes flitted over my battered body. “You look awful. Can you get up?”
“I think so.” I reached for the end of the staff and held on with all my might as Mackenna hoisted me to my feet. Scared and trembling with shock, I took a deep breath, willing myself to regain my equilibrium. After another breath, I nodded and took the spare sword she offered me. “I’m all right.”
“Good. We need to get back to Vee.” She tipped her head toward where the queen was driving skellies back with a small axe. Before moving, her radiant eyes locked on mine. For a moment, time stood still as her lips twisted into a smile. “I’ll kiss you senseless later.”
CHAPTER 42
Jamie
The first time I’d killed Sean MacNally had been a mistake. I’d repented and accepted forgiveness for that sin. But it wasn’t until this moment that I realized I’d yet to forgive myself. As I watched my greatest sin rise up in front of me, I knew if I didn’t move on from what I’d done, I would die here.
“Fight me . . . man . . . on man . . . I will . . . kill ye . . . MacCrae.” The words garbled out of zombie Sean’s damaged mouth like his teeth were made of glass. If he had any teeth.
Darting my attention to the field, I watched the Destined knock down another row of skellies with the rope stretched between them. The second wave finished the creatures off with axes and scythes. And yet, the creatures kept coming.
As I turned back, zombie Sean raised a claymore and shield. “I’ll fight ye, if that’s what ye wish.” I twirled my sword around my hand and then caught the hilt. “But this ends here and now.”
Reaching for the shield on my back, I secured it to my left arm and bent my right elbow so my sword pointed at my adversary’s throat.
The monster roared, his half-decayed mouth opening unnaturally wide, and then he charged. I blocked his first strike with my shield, but the power behind the blow forced me back a step. His strength had been supernaturally enhanced, just like the guards we’d encountered in the mountains.
Leaping forward, I struck. Our swords clashed together, the impact forcing mine out of my hand. I sprinted to the weapon, slid on my knees, and scooped it up. When I stood back up, Sean had only covered half the distance. Strong, but slow. That, I could handle.
He charged and smashed his shield into my sword hand. Pain raced up my fingers, but I managed not to let go. I parried and he countered, our swords tangling. Eye to eye with the monster, I struggled not to gag. He smelled of rotting meat and defecation. I shoved him away, but the creature didn’t budge.
Trying a bit of psychological warfare, I baited, “Adelaide must be verra angry wi’ ye.”
Sean’s bloodshot eyes widened a fraction.
“Ye’ve failed her so many times, and this one will be no different!” I slammed my shield into his head and freed my sword.
The monster stumbled back and then surged forward with a growl, his brain leaking out of his split skull. It went against all logic, but