Relic - Jaid Black Page 0,12
the lock on the cell. She removed the rusty padlock, threw it aside, and moved out of the way. Remembering the stolen cloak she’d pilfered from the dead soldier and thrown to Lieutenant Bellamy, she instructed James to give it back to the doctor.
“It’ll help you blend in more,” she said as the cell doors swung open and James handed the robe to the doctor. “I get the impression they think we’re highborn because of them.”
“You’re likely correct,” the doctor confirmed. He sighed. “That didn’t save me from the dungeon, though. But then again they likely saw me as the enemy because I was accompanied by Highlanders.”
Octavia’s gaze clashed yet again with the giant’s. Said Highlander was still watching her, assessing her. The knowledge caused her heartbeat to speed up. Maybe it was because he was so huge; maybe it was simply because he was virility personified. Whatever the reason, she didn’t have the time or inclination to ponder her bizarre reaction to the strange man who’d been dead for over seven hundred years in her time.
“We should get moving,” Octavia told the doctor as she tore her gaze away from the barbarian. “Tell your friend here to lead the way.”
Chapter Four
“I don’t know how,” Octavia admitted to the doctor, her face heating.
“Neither do I.” He smiled. “That’s why Colban was kind enough to put me on his.”
They wanted her to ride a horse. Of all the would-be scenarios her SEAL training had prepared her for, this particular act had not been among them. James, on the other hand, was having no problems. Having grown up on a ranch in Montana, horse riding came naturally to him. Octavia had never felt so inept in her life.
They’d made it thus far without incident—mostly by avoiding soldiers. They’d gotten back the Highlanders’ swords, made it to the stables, and none of the Scottish peasants had given them away—probably because they considered the English knights their occupiers. Everything had been going quite well until it became apparent the huge man wanted her to ride on a damn horse.
“We’ve got to go, Com—Octavia!” James said quietly, but heatedly. “Our luck can only hold out for so long.”
“I don’t know how to ride,” she bit out. Octavia ground her teeth together when she overheard the doctor translating her predicament to the Highlanders.
She was about to give mounting the horse another college try when the giant plucked her from the ground, causing her to yelp. He plopped her down in front of him in the saddle and took off with urgency. Her heart slammed against her chest as the other two horses and three riders followed in their dust.
Suddenly, they weren’t invisible anymore. Four English soldiers gave chase, following them into the thick forest. She could see the giant raise his sword, preparing to strike one of the knights down while simultaneously riding the horse. Octavia was impressed despite herself. Nevertheless, she aimed her SA80 rifle at the soldier and took him out before he got too close.
The giant grunted. She couldn’t be certain, but he seemed to be pleased with her contribution. For some weird reason, that knowledge made her want to smile, though she didn’t.
She got the second knight in her sight and fired. She missed his head, but the bullet he took in the arm was sufficient to knock him from off his horse. She aimed and fired at knights three and four next, watching as both men fell to the ground, dead.
Another grunt. This time she was certain it was the barbarian’s method of displaying approval. She’d never been pleased with herself before by a common aspect of her job performance, but today was different.
The coast was now completely clear. Trying not to think about the weird effect the Highlander had on her, she kept her rifle close, but settled into the saddle for the first time. Of course, that only served to force her body closer to the giant’s, which he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he grunted again.
His body radiated warmth—a fact Octavia couldn’t help but notice. What she should have been able to overlook was how good he smelled despite having spent the night in a dank dungeon. He should have smelled of filth and grime, but his scent was a pleasant mix of rain, earth, and maleness. She mentally groaned at her fanciful thoughts.
There was nothing feminine or romantic about Commander Octavia Benatti. She would do well to remember that.
They rode for hours, his avenging angel now