Page 16 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander
Cries of shock rippled through the councilmen. Sebastian’s grip on his cane tightened, while Tristan merely raised an eyebrow.
“I have dealt with him,” Damon continued, his voice cold. “He’s dead. But I have reason to believe that he didnae act alone. Someone brought him into the castle, and I intend to find out who.”
“Ye didnae keep him alive?” Tristan was the first to speak.
“Firstly!” Sebastian boomed with all of the authority of someone in charge, taking over the conversation. “This is troubling, indeed. An attack on ye is an attack on the clan itself?—”
“Troubling?” Tristan interjected smoothly, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. “I disagree. I mean it’s hardly unexpected, Me Laird. Ye have just married into the clan. There are bound to be those loyal to the Flanagan family who resent yer presence.”
Damon’s eyes narrowed on him. “Are ye suggestin’ that this is something I should simply accept?”
Tristan met his gaze without flinching. “I’msuggestin’that ye should consider the possibility that this wasnae a targeted attack. The McCallums have enemies, as do ye. Perhaps this was simply the work of one such enemy, actin’ on what they thought an opportunity rather than intent.”
“Sure, but on their wedding night?” Councilman Rory Scarth countered. “Seems off. Why would anyone wish to harm Lady Lilith?”
Heads bobbed in agreement, and Damon made a mental note that Rory had a sound head on his shoulders.
Tristan spoke next. “Honestly, this assassin most likely wouldnae have.”
“Ye speak quite knowingly, Mr. Gunn,” Sebastian noted, blatant accusation in his tone.
“Och aye—nae all of us at this table have had the luxury of never seein’ a day of battle or nae bein’ on the receiving end of an enemy’s blade or pistol.”
Sebastian, taking great offense, slammed his cane loudly into the ground. “How dare ye say that to me face!”
“Would ye rather I say it behind yer back? Ye have absolutely nay concept of how men think when they have a mind to kill. So, how can ye sit there and try to force yeruninformedopinion on us? I suggest ye leave the discussions to those of us with battle experience.”
Damon had heard enough bickering to last him a lifetime.
Slamming his palm on the table hard, he demanded immediate silence without a word and the men obliged. “That’s enough. All of ye are grown men and bring to this council a wealth of diverse experience in yer own way. True assassins, like the one I encountered tonight, arenaejustmen who have simply seen battle. Let’s start from there.”
“Ye wish us to list out all of those who have issues with Clan McCallum, then?” Tristan scoffed.
“And within the clan,” Damon added.
“Within? Ye must be mad?—”
Sebastian shook his head. “We cannae afford to dismiss this, Tristan. Wemustturn over all stones. It may be one of our known enemy clans, of which we do have a few. But if someone within the clan is responsible?—”
“Then they will answer to me,” Damon declared sharply, his voice cutting through the murmurs.
Silence fell once more, heavy with tension.
Damon’s eyes swept over the council, hard as steel. “If I find out that one of ye had a hand in this, I’ll nae hesitate to punish him. Make nay mistake—loyalty to this clan is loyalty to me and Lilith. Betrayal willnae be tolerated.”
His words hung in the air like a blade poised to strike.
Tristan’s expression didn’t waver, but Sebastian looked visibly troubled. Others shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their unease palpable.
After a moment, Damon straightened. “The guards are searchin’ the castle. Until we have answers, I expect every one of ye to cooperate fully. This council’s purpose is to protect the clan, and I’ll hold each of ye to that purpose.”
With that, he turned and left the room, his steps echoing in the quiet corridor.
Outside, he found Lilith waiting. She stood with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
“Ye’re awake,” he said, his tone lighter than he had expected.
“Hard nae to be,” she replied coolly. “The castle’s in an uproar.”
