Page 58 of Treachery in the Highlands
"What do you see, Father?"Rachel whispers as we approach.
"A group of men, at least a dozen.They're trying to be stealthy, but I can hear them crunching twigs under their feet---softly, but aye.The sound is audible."
My heart races as I peer over the crenellation.Sure enough, dark shapes move through the woods, their outlines barely visible in the misty night.
"Alisdair, thatriatach," Rachel hisses."He's brought reinforcements."
I grip my dirk tighter as adrenaline burns through my veins.Don't need a translation to understand what Rachel said.Her nasty tone tells me that Scot must be a real bastard."What's the plan?"
Kieran's face is grim as he surveys the approaching threat."We need to bottleneck them at the gate.Rachel, go with your great-aunts and your mother, Norma too.Hide as best you can.Joey, you and I will take the lead at the gates.Fight only as a last resort---and no magics.These are mundane men, not monsters."
Alyssa gives her husband a quick kiss, then dashes down the stairs while issuing orders to the other women.
Rachel hesitates, and there's worry in her eyes."Be careful, Joey, please."
I pull her close for a quick, fierce kiss."You be careful too."
She squeezes my hand and rushes after the other women.
Kieran and I take up positions on either side of the gate, our weapons at the ready.
"Remember," Kieran says, "aim for the weak spots---neck, groin, behind the knees.And dinnae hesitate."
I nod grimly, tightening my grip on the dirk.
We wait, every muscle coiled and ready to spring into action.The crunching of twigs and leaves grows louder, and I can make out hushed whispers carried on the breeze.My pulse pounds in my ears, but I force myself to breathe slowly, steadying my nerves.Alyssa's dad has joined us in our fight, and whatever I'd assumed about him previously has just flown out the window.Dale Vescovi is way tougher than I expected.
Movement catches my eye and, like a ghostly specter, Alisdair emerges from the mist followed closely by several others.His smug face comes into view, illuminated by the torchlight that casts flickering shadows across his face.He's flanked by burly men.
"MacTaggart!"Alisdair bellows."I've come to claim what's mine.Send the lass out, and we'll leave peacefully."
Kieran's voice booms across the courtyard."Ye'll never have her, ye spinelesscacan.Leave now or face the consequences."
Alisdair's laughter echoes through the night."Consequences?You're outnumbered, old man.I'll give you one last chance to surrender the lass."
I glance at Kieran, whose jaw is set.He gives me a subtle nod, and I know it's time to act.
"Hey, dickwad!"I shout, stepping out from behind the gate."Rachel's not a prize to be claimed.She's made her choice, and it's not your sorry ass."
Alisdair's gaze zeroes in on me like a sniper targeting his quarry."So, the Sassenach speaks.Tell me, laddie, do you think you can protect her from me and my men?"
"Don't need to," I retort, feeling braver than I probably should."Rachel can protect herself.And she's got a whole clan behind her."
A deafening war cry erupts from behind us.I whirl around to see Rachel leading a charge of MacTaggart clanswomen brandishing swords, dirks, axes, and even flaming torches.The sight is both terrifying and awe-inspiring.They've taken up positions at either side of the gates.
Seeing Rachel this way makes me so horny.
Alisdair's smug expression falters for a moment before he regains his composure, sneering at me."Ye think your ragtag bunch can stand against my trained warriors?"
Rachel steps forward, her eyes blazing with fury."We are MacTaggarts, ye numpty.We've defended this land for generations against far worse than the likes of you.And Kieran MacTaggart is the most powerful warrior in all of Scotland."
Kieran's brow lifts faintly, his lip twitching upward into an almost-smile.Yeah, Rachel is a badass in disguise
Big Daddy raises his claymore, the blade glinting in the torchlight."This is your last warning, MacLeod."
For a moment, no one moves or speaks.We all simply glower at each other, wearing various types of angry expressions.Alisdair's smug grin falters as he takes in the determined faces of the MacTaggart clan.
But then Alisdair's jaw clenches, and he bellows, "Take them!"
