the bridge. The rising mist brought the ghostly figures into sharper view. A burst of icy wind pushed against my overheated skin, sweeping away the last of the fog, revealing the witches’ army in all its malefic glory. Vacant eyes, glowing with an ethereal violet light, faces void of all expression. The sheer numbers spreading across the bridge and beyond were staggering.
Searching for affirmation—some sign that I didn’t lead my people into certain death—I glanced to my left, bolstered to see my mate, Fergus, a fervor burning in his eyes to match my own. Waves of righteous fury radiated from the giant solider as he growled, “I’ve got yer back, Laird.”
I swallowed the last vestiges of my fear, tucking it deep down inside, then nodded my acknowledgment with a grim smile. “Aye, let’s do this.”
Raising my sword high into the air I shouted, “Archers ready!”
This was it. I’d gotten us into this nightmare, now I would get us out of it—or die trying.
“For Doon and her queen!” I bellowed, pointing my sword toward our enemy. An answering cry echoed all around me and we surged forward as one.
My last thought of Vee, her aqua eyes filled with sorrow and accusation as I shut and locked the door behind me. If I lived, I only hoped she could forgive me for what I’d done.
I sat up and gasped for air. The emotion of the dream still pounding through my heart, I threw back the quilt. I knew what we had to do . . . what I had to do.
CHAPTER 21
Mackenna
Not that anyone who knew me would believe it, but I’d actually started to enjoy my morning jog from Dunbrae Cottage to Mabel’s barn. Okay . . . maybe “enjoy” was too strong a word. But I did feel a sense of accomplishment that I no longer arrived huffing and puffing like the big, bad wolf. I’d started making decent time too. Not enough that I was in danger of exchanging my tap shoes for a track medal, but enough that I believed I might actually be useful in the impending battle against Addie and her minions.
The morning, though cool, was bright and clear. If one looked closely, not that I made a habit of it, you could see the first green shoots of spring struggling to life. That was another effect of running; my focus on the world around me became sharper as the ever-present show tunes in my brain shut off. Unfortunately, I did enjoy living my life with an internal Broadway soundtrack. When things got quiet, I missed the voices harmonizing in my head.
Still, the early signs of spring gave me hope that whatever funk Duncan had been suffering from the last couple days was over. In the distance, I spied my boyfriend setting up for training. As I approached, I searched for signs that whatever little, black rain cloud he’d been trapped under was gone.
Skidding to a halt, I glanced at the fitness app on my phone. “Ta-Da! Eight minutes and twenty-seven seconds. A new record.” With a flourishing sweep of my arms, I took a bow and straightened up in time to catch Duncan’s grimace before he resumed working.
“Were ye able to speak with Queen Veronica last night?” he asked as he placed a stone marker in the grass, completing a rectangle.
No “Good morning” or “Great job, woman.” No “You look positively radiant in this light, lass.” Zip.
Despite the clear skies, I found myself wishing I’d brought an umbrella for protection against my boyfriend’s isolated thunderstorms. “Not really. Last night’s dream was weird. It’s like we were underwater or something.”
He headed into the barn and I followed like Fosca begging for the scraps of Giorgio’s affection. “Vee looked like a mermaid with her hair floating around her head. I was swimming behind her, so I don’t think she even saw me. But I did see her wearing Aunt Gracie’s ring—so I think she has it.” I noticed because it sparked to life, lighting the water around her, just before I woke up. Since I didn’t have any context for the dream, I felt reluctant to mention that part.
“Tonight, try to speak with her again. If you can, tell her that we’re coming home. We’ll need her and the ring to be ready.”
“Aye, aye, captain,” I replied with a little salute.
He frowned again before pointing through the open barn door at two figures in the distance. “Eòran and Rabbie are going to help us today.”