A Very Highland Holiday - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,148

know he had the sword? Tavish gripped Lann Dhearg as the two men walked out into the yard. One was smaller than the other. Tavish decided he’d take out the larger one first. He inched backward, skimming his free hand over the ground in search of the rock he’d found with his injured foot.

“We know you have the sword! Bring it in and save these people!”

Something in his tone told Tavish they didn’t know—as well as the fact that he’d said, “We know you have” it. To him, that indicated they didn’t actually know, which made more sense to him. Elspeth wouldn’t have told them, and Carrie wouldn’t know for sure.

Recalling that Carrie was not with the others, Tavish renewed his resolve and continued searching for the rock. At last, his fingers closed around it. Fist sized, the rock filled his palm as he picked it up. He had one chance.

Lanterns on the outside of the inn cast a glow over the yard. Tavish kept himself low and dashed out along the perimeter until he was closer to the larger of the two men. Standing, he quickly took aim and launched the rock. It hit the man square in the back of the head, driving him to his knees with a loud cry.

Tavish’s breath caught—he’d wanted to knock him out. Then the man pitched forward onto the ground, and Tavish exhaled. He threw himself on the ground as the smaller man spun around, looking for the threat.

His gaze landed on Tavish, and he sprinted forward. Tavish barely got to his feet before the man raised his pistol. But nothing happened. Cursing, the man threw the weapon away and drew his sword.

Raising Lann Dhearg, Tavish realized he could use the sword to its full potential out here without worrying about setting the inn or stable on fire. He narrowed his eyes at his opponent. “Let the hostages go.”

Red-orange flame licked up the blade and cast bright light over the other man’s face, clearly revealing his fear as his gaze locked on the sword. He took a step back.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Tavish said, advancing. “But I will save those people.”

“Just as we’ll get that sword.” The man surprised Tavish by lunging forward. Their weapons clashed. Then they circled each other a moment before the smaller man again tried an offensive strike.

Tavish easily parried the blow. “This is your last chance. Surrender.”

The man answered by pushing forward. But Tavish didn’t retreat. He was taller and bigger, and so was his sword. Plus, it was on fire. He pressed his advantage, driving the man back with thrust after thrust.

Faltering, the man dropped his sword. Tavish wanted to let him go, but then he pulled a knife from his boot. Gritting his teeth, Tavish lunged, sinking the blade into the man’s chest. His eyes widened as his body caught fire. He screamed and ran.

Tavish didn’t watch what happened next. He dashed to the first man he’d taken down with the rock, intending to drag him to the stable to tie him up.

But the man was already rising to his knees. His face was pale, his eyes wide with terror. He looked from the flaming man to Tavish, then jumped to his feet and sprinted into the night.

Tavish let him go. Then he ran back to the inn and pressed himself next to the window. He peered inside. The villains seemed agitated. Perhaps they’d heard the screams of the man who’d caught fire.

That left five of them, two of whom were injured. For the first time, Tavish liked these odds. A plan formed in his mind. He dashed to the stable to set it in motion.

“He has the bloody sword!” Grover stalked back to the fireplace from the window, his eyes blazing.

The screams from outside echoed in Elspeth’s ears. She prayed the sounds hadn’t come from Tavish. When no one came back into the inn, she exhaled in relief. If Tavish had been the one hurt—or worse—the brigands would have returned.

Grover paced beside her in front of the fireplace. His face was drawn tight with tension. He stopped abruptly and came toward her, not stopping until there were just inches between them. “MacLean has become a problem for me. Perhaps what I need to do is dangle you from a window upstairs and threaten to drop you unless he comes in.”

Elspeth swallowed. She couldn’t look away from the malevolence in his eyes.

“At least now we know he has the sword.” He slitted his