Page 51 of Treachery in the Highlands
I halt, swiveling my head as I strain to listen for the slightest sound.Then I relax."No, there's nothing."
She frowns, shaking her head."I could've sworn I heard...never mind.The fog is getting to me, I reckon."
At least I'm not the only one who's spooked.
We continue our stroll around the courtyard, but I can't shake the feeling that we're being watched.Maybe it's the tall keep or the gatehouse or...nothing at all that's set me on edge.The air feels oddly thick.The utter silence, broken only by the barely audible sound of our footfalls, makes the hairs on the back of my neck rise and stiffen.The pea-soup fog unnerves me, but I don't think that's the main cause of my anxiety.I might not have Lachina's second sight, but even I can tell something's off.It's like the whole castle is holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.Ever since my bout with dark magics that nearly killed me, I've become hyperaware of pretty much everything weird that crops up.
A deafening crack of thunder splits the air and seems to shake the very foundations of Dùndubhan.Rachel and I stumble, grabbing onto each other for support as the castle walls themselves tremble.
She grips my arm."That's no ordinary storm."
"Yeah, I know."I pull her closer."Stay close to me.Don't want to lose you in this preternatural fog."
"Aye.Mayhap we should go inside."
Before I can respond to her suggestion, an unearthly howl pierces the air, infecting me with a chill that raises goosebumps on my skin.The torches lining the hallway flicker and die, plunging us into darkness.
I fumble for Rachel's hand as we start running, our footsteps echoing off the stone walls.The air grows colder with every step as an unnatural chill seeps into my bones.Rachel's hand tightens around mine as we race into the house and through the darkened corridors.I can still smell the lanterns that had been burning everywhere, but they've all snuffed out now.
"The great hall," Rachel pants."We need to get to the others."
Another bone-rattling boom shakes the castle.I swear I hear wood cracking and stones falling.Nobody could've broken down the gates, could they?The wind howls through the halls, carrying with it the acrid scent of smoke and something else---something rotten and decayed.
We burst into the great hall to find chaos.Kieran stands at the center, shouting orders as Alyssa and the aunts rush here and there, arming themselves with swords, bows, knives, and---bizarrely---modern guns.The aunts have linked hands as they chant in a language I don't understand, a faint blue glow emanating from within their circle.
A husky voice laughs."Ye cannot escape me, Joseph Finnegan.I'm coming for yer lass, and ye cannae stop me.I shall ravage her and take her maidenhead.She will become my bride."
The laughter turns maniacal, and suddenly, I know who spoke to me.It'sAn Bodach.
I spring upright, abruptly awakened from my nightmare.Cold sweat trickles down my skin as I gasp for air, my pulse racing.Rachel stirs beside me, her eyes fluttering open.We've been sharing the same bed lately, but I haven't made love to her since our encounter at the waterfall.Why didn'tAn Bodachknow that?He's supposed to be a badass at magical shit.I've wondered about that ever since.
"Joey?What's wrong?"she asks, her voice a touch slurred from sleepiness.After volunteering to help Efrica make breakfast for everyone, Rachel and I had both been ready for a mid-morning nap.
I rub my eyes, trying to clear the lingering tendrils of the nightmare."Just a bad dream, baby.Go back to sleep."
But the words feel hollow even to my own ears.
Rachel sits up, her hair a tousled mess.She reaches out to touch my arm, and I flinch involuntarily."It was him, wasn't it?An Bodach."
I swallow hard, unable to meet her gaze."The Old Man said he was coming for you.He must have sent thebeithirto frighten us."
"Let him try," she says fiercely."We're ready for the old man."
But are we?The question hangs unspoken between us as a wicked gale rattles the windowpanes.Rachel and I exchange a wary glance, both of us on edge.
"Maybe we should check on the others," I suggest, already swinging my legs out of bed.
"Nay, if anything were amiss, we would know by now."Her cheeks dimple."Because we would have five women and my father kicking the door down."
"Good point."I swing my legs back onto the bed and roll onto my side, draping an arm over Rachel's naked body."Since we're already awake..."
She springs into a sitting position and grins, her tits flapping."Ye want to enjoy carnal relations again?"
Her excitement is adorable and sexy.So yeah, it turns me on big time.
I gently urge Rachel to lie down again, then roll on top of her, careful not to crush her beneath me."Rach, I've been having dirty dreams about you every night, and they always get me hard.But I wasn't sure if you wanted to get it on again."
"Oh, aye, Joey, I want ye now."She wriggles her hips just enough to make me hiss in a breath."Make love to me, please."
