Page 22 of Treachery in the Highlands
"Very well," he says, his voice gruff."Ye may stay, for now.But know this---if I catch even a whiff of treachery from ye, I'll not hesitate to run ye through myself."
Joey lifts one brow, and his lips curl into a cocky slant."Understood, Mr.Laird Man.You have my word."
Should I or my family trust a thief?Joey has been good to me, but we met only this morn.
Father turns to me, his expression stern."Rachel, you will no longer enter this hidden room.Henceforth, you shall remain within sight of at least two members of the family at all times."He turns to Joey."I will accept responsibility for ensuring our guest does not attempt to escape.If anyone approaches the castle, we will keep Joey out of sight and make sure he doesn't cause any trouble."Father grasps my shoulders, pulling me closer to glare into my eyes."But you, Rachel, are not to consort with him under any circumstances.Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father."
Just as the tension in the room begins to ease, Lachina suddenly gasps, her hand flying to her mouth as if to stifle a scream.Her eyes roll back in her head, and she sways precariously on her feet like a reed caught in a sudden gale.I rush to her side, catching her just as she begins to collapse.
"Great-Aunt Lachina!"I cry, my heart racing.The room, which had been uncomfortably warm from the hearth's blaze, now feels as cold as the North Sea.Every eye is on us, the silence thick with dread.
Lachina's body is rigid, her breathing shallow and rapid.I lower her gently to the floor, cradling her head in my lap.Her normally serene face is contorted with fear and pain, and a thin sheen of sweat glistens on her forehead.My mind races through the possibilities---has the strain of her earlier vision been too much for her?Or is this something even more dire?
"Someone fetch water!"I shout, but no one moves.They're all too stunned, too paralyzed by the sight of the clan's most revered seer in such a state.Even my father, who usually springs into action in a crisis, stands rooted to the spot, his face a mask of concern and helplessness.
Lachina's lips begin to move, forming soundless words.I lean in closer, straining to hear her.Is she trying to tell us something?To warn us?Every second stretches into an eternity as we wait for her to speak, to give us some clue about what she's seen.
"What have you seen, Lachina?"I exclaim."Please tell us!"
Her voice comes out in a raspy whisper, barely audible."They're coming.The men from the future.They are perilously close to discovering the portal through which Joey came."
A bone-chilling wind whips through the chamber, extinguishing the fire and plunging us into darkness.The stone walls seem to groan and shift around us.I clutch Lachina tighter, my heart pounding so hard I fear it might burst from my chest.
"Father!"I cry out, reaching blindly in the darkness.
"Stay where ye are!"his voice booms.
I feel Joey slipping his fingers between mine, and I'm grateful for the contact.I hear shuffling and muffled curses as everyone tries to orient themselves in the pitch black.Then, a blinding flash of light erupts from the center of the room.As my eyes adjust, I see a swirling vortex of blue and silver energy, crackling with electricity.
"Holy shit," Joey breathes beside me."It's happening again."
The vortex grows larger, its howling wind drowning out all other sounds.I cling to Joey, and he clings to me.But just when it seems we might all be spirited away to another realm, the portal is snuffed out like the wee flame of a candle.Golden light spreads throughout the room, and I see that my father has lit my lantern.
As the glow flickers across the room, it reveals the shocked and fearful faces of my loved ones.Whatever transpired a moment ago, the situation has returned to normal now.Yet a chill lingers inside this chamber.And the anxiety generated by the tumult remains on the faces of us all.
What if the magics I invoked to save Joey from drowning have caused this frightful occurrence?
"Come," Father commands."We shall all retire to the solar to discuss the situation as well as to alert Efrica and Morna of the danger.They are waiting for us there."
I help Lachina to her feet, supporting her as we make our way to the solar.Joey hovers close by, his eyes darting around warily as if he expects more otherworldly intrusions.Father leads the way, his broad shoulders tense, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
The solar is warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the chill that still clings to my bones.Great-Aunts Efrica and Morna are here, their weathered faces creased with concern.As soon as we enter, they rush to Lachina's side, fussing over her like mother hens.She is the youngest of the aunts, after all.
"What happened?"Efrica demands, her voice sharp with worry."We felt a disturbance in the very air itself."
Father raises a hand, silencing the room."Dark powers may have attempted to invade Dùndubhan, and we must protect ourselves."
Guidheachan.As my Gaelic curse suggests, I wish ill fortune on whomever is determined to harm our family.What further intrusions must we endure?And what will the evil ones from the future attempt to do next?
We have many questions, but no answers.
Father seizes Joey by the throat."You must have caused a portal to appear and sent Lachina into a fevered trance.You are no friend of the MacTaggarts."
Chapter Nine
Joey
