Page 50 of Treachery in the Highlands
Her eyes refocus, her gaze sharp as she studies Joey and me."I beheld what your laddie saw---darkness stretching across time, threatening to engulf us all.The Old Man,An Bodach, he's more than simply folklore, Rachel.He is an ancient evil that has slumbered for centuries."
Joey shifts uneasily on the bed."And now he's waking up?Why?"
Efrica steps forward, her face grim."The barriers between centuries, between worlds might be weakening."
"Cracks thatAn Bodachmight exploit," Morna adds.
A shiver ripples down my spine, raising the hairs at my nape."So, what do we do?How do we stop him?"
Lachina shakes her head slowly, her gaze distant."It won't be easy,leannan.An Bodachis cunning and powerful, according to the folk tales.You and Joey might be the twin poles around which everything turns.He'll seek to divide us, to turn us against each other with his trickery."
Joey's hand tightens around mine."We won't let that happen."
I give him a reassuring smile, but a flicker of doubt gnaws at me.How can we fight something so ancient and terrible?
"First things first," my mother interjects, her practical nature asserting itself."Joey needs to regain his strength.Rachel, that broth, if you please.We can deal with ancient, unseen evil another day."
I reluctantly disentangle myself from Joey and head for the door, but his voice stops me.
"Rachel," he calls softly.When I turn, his eyes are intense, filled with an emotion I can't quite name."Thank you.For saving me---again."
I flash him a tight smile, then walk out of the room.But the vision Lachina'sdà-shealladhshowed her haunts me.I pause in the corridor, leaning against the cold stone wall to steady myself.The weight of what's happening bears down on me like a physical force.An Bodach.The Old Man.I've heard whispers of him since childhood, tales meant to frighten wee bairns into obedience.But now...
The kitchen is empty when I enter, and the hearth fire still burns at a low level.The smell of burning wood and simmering broth wafts around me, a comforting scent that contrasts with the fear and uncertainty swimming in my mind.I ladle broth into a wooden bowl, trying not to focus on the dire news we've learned tonight.As I turn to leave, a chill passes through the room, causing the flames to flicker and dance.I freeze, my breath catching in my throat.
The moment passes, and I hurry to bring Joey the broth.
My rapid footsteps echo loudly in the stillness of the castle as I climb up to the third floor, halting at Joey's door.I knock gently.
Efrica opens the door."Give me the broth, dearie.You should find Kieran and inform him of the laddie's condition."
Efrica shuts the door.
As I walk downstairs, I cannae help twisting my fingers in the folds of my skirt, a nervous gesture that's unlike me.Joey will be fine.I believe that in my heart and my soul.
How quickly our moment of passion had turned to terror.
When I enter the solar, my father is sitting in a big chair by the hearth, where a blazing fire crackles.The moment he looks at me, I fall to pieces and sob.
He pats his thigh, inviting me to sit on his lap."Come,mo nighean, cry on my shoulder the way you would when you were but a wee lassie."
I rush to him, crawling onto his lap, and weep the tears I had struggled to hold back until this moment.My father makes shushing sounds and begins to stroke my hair.
Joey will recover.I know it to be true.And I am more grateful than words can express that my family loves and supports me.
Chapter Nineteen
Joey
An entire week goes by while nothing much happens.I recovered from my "injury" after two days of rest, during which Rachel insisted on staying by my side as if I were on my deathbed.But I get why she's anxious.A Scottish demon wants to...do something evil.That's all any of us knows.
At least my mafia buddies can't find me here in the past.
I'm trying not to let the tension get to me, but it's like waiting for a bomb to go off.Every creaking branch makes me jump, and I swear the shadows are moving when I'm not looking.Rachel's not much better, pacing back and forth like a caged tiger, constantly scanning for threats.
Today, we're walking round and round inside the castle walls.For safety's sake, nobody goes outside the fortress alone, and we only go out there unless there's a damn good reason for doing so.
As we round a corner, Rachel grabs my arm."Joey, did ye hear that?"
