Page 41 of Treachery in the Highlands
My instincts scream at me to flee, but I hold my ground, positioning myself slightly in front of Rachel."Wait.Let's see what we're dealing with first."
The forest seems to hold its breath as we listen.Then, I hear leaves rustling, followed by a low growl that sends a chill slithering down my spine.That's no human being stumbling onto our tryst.
"Wolves?"Rachel breathes, her grip on my hand tightening.
I shake my head."Doesn't sound like it.Whatever that is, it's bigger than a canine."
A massive shape lopes out of the underbrush.My jaw drops as I gape the creature before us---a bear, but unlike any I've ever seen.Its fur is a deep, unnatural purple, and its eyes glow with an eerie green light.
"Dhia," Rachel whispers, her voice trembling."It's abeithir."
"A what now?"I hiss, not daring to take my eyes off the beast.
"Abeithiris a creature composed of magic," she explains hurriedly."They are rare and dangerous.I didnae know they really existed.We need to---"
Before she can finish her statement, thebeithirlets out a deafening roar and charges toward us.My body moves on instinct as years of street fights and narrow escapes kick in to guide me.I seize Rachel's hand and bolt, zigzagging through the trees.
"This way!"she shouts, tugging me to the left."We aren't far from the castle!We must keep running!"
I follow her lead, my heart pounding in my ears.Thebeithir's thunderous footfalls shake the ground behind us.Branches whip at my face as we tear through the underbrush, but I barely feel the sting.All I can focus on is Rachel's hand in mine and the need to keep her safe.
"Almost there!"Rachel pants, her golden-brown hair streaming behind her like a banner.
Just when I think my lungs might burst, we barrel out of the woods and into the clearing behind the castle, rushing headlong for the wooden door that leads into the garden.I glance back to see thebeithirstill running after us.
I kick the garden door open.
An eerie silence descends on us, the air seeming charged with some sort of energy I can't describe.When I look back...
Thebeithiris gone.
What the hell just happened?A shared hallucination?No, that thing was real---and seriously weird.
Rachel and I stand here panting, our chests heaving as we try to catch our breath.The garden is weirdly silent, the only sounds our ragged breathing and the distant chirping of birds.
I'm still gripping Rachel's hand.Between panting breaths, I ask, "Where did it go?"
Rachel shakes her head."I dinnae ken, Joey.Thebeithir...it shouldnae have disappeared like that.They're powerful creatures, not known for giving up the chase that easily."
I study the tree line, half-expecting the purple beast to come crashing through at any moment.But the forest has returned to its normal tranquility---unnaturally normal, in fact.
"Could it have been an illusion?"I ask, my mind struggling to make sense of what we just experienced.
Rachel's brow furrows."Nay, 'twas was real enough as far as magical creatures go.But something strange is afoot here."She turns to me, her blue eyes filled with questions."Joey, I think we need to speak with my great-aunts.If anyone can make sense of this, it's them."
Shit, I'm so far out of my depth here that I expect to hit the bottom of the ocean.
Right now, though, I'm still trying to catch my breath."Okay, yeah, let's consult the witches."
Those are words I never imagined I'd speak.
We wend our way through the castle gardens, our hands still clasped tightly together.I can't help but notice how natural it feels, like our fingers were made to intertwine.But I push the thought aside.We have bigger problems right now than my growing feelings for Rachel.
As we march across the courtyard, I spot Rachel's great-aunts huddled near the gates.They turn as we approach, their eyes widening at our disheveled appearance.
"Och, Rachel,leannan!What's happened?"the eldest aunt, Efrica, exclaims as we approach.
Rachel squeezes my hand before letting go, much to my disappointment."Antaidhean, we've just had a frightful encounter in the woods.Abeithirchased us!"
