Page 65 of Treachery in the Highlands
I can't help but giggle."Werewolves?Really, Joey?"
"Hey, after being thrown back in time and living in a castle with honest-to-God witches, I'm not ruling anything out."
As if on cue, a twig snaps in the darkness, and Joey nearly jumps out of his skin.I stifle a laugh as he whirls around, eyes wide and fists raised.
"Easy there, warrior," I tease gently."It's probably just a deer."
Joey relaxes slightly, but I can see he's still on edge."Right.A deer.Not a kilt-wearing psychopath with an ax."
"I thought ye were worried about werewolves?"
"And wolves of all kinds.My range of potential forest-dwelling murderers keeps expanding."
I'm about to reassure him again when I catch sight of my father's face.Kieran MacTaggart's golden eyes are narrowed, his jaw set in a grim line as he scans the tree line.A chill runs down my spine.If my father is worried, mayhap Joey's paranoia isn't entirely unfounded.
"Father?"I whisper, moving closer to him."Is everything alright?"
His eyes flick to mine, then back to the shadows between the trees."Aye, lass.Ahm simply keeping watch.These woods can be treacherous, especially with so many clans converging."
Joey sidles up beside me, his earlier bravado replaced by genuine concern."Treacherous how, exactly?"
My father's lip curls in a humorless smile."Rival clans, old grudges, new alliances...It's not unheard of for some to take advantage of the chaos to settle scores."
I feel Joey tense beside me."And here I thought the werewolves were the biggest threat."
"Werewolves?"Father's brows lift."No, I'd assume your worst enemy will be Alisdair MacLeod."
Joey has his dirk on his lip, sheathed in a scabbard, and he gives it a pat."I'll be ready for that dirtbag this time."
As we continue our trek through the misty forest, Joey's hand remains firmly clasped in mine.His fingers twitch toward the dirk at his hip at every rustle of leaves.It's amazing how quickly he has adapted to our ways, even as worry gnaws at my insides.
"Alisdair MacLeod," I say with a grumbling sigh.The name tastes bitter on my tongue."I'd hoped we'd seen the last of him."
"No such luck, I'm afraid," Father growls, while still scanning the tree line."I'm certain that snake's been whispering in the ears of the other clan chieftains, stirring up old resentments."
Joey shakes his head."What's that jerk's endgame?Besides being a general pain in the ass, I mean."
I can't help but snort at Joey's colorful description, even as Father shoots him a disapproving look.
"Alisdair's always had his eye on power," I explain, keeping my voice low."He believes the MacLeods should rule over all the clans, and he'll do whatever it takes to make that happen."
Joey grunts."Including trying to murder us."
Father nods grimly."Aye, and worse.The man's as cunning as he is cruel.We'll need to watch our backs at this gathering."
As if summoned by our hushed conversation, a chill wind whips through the trees, causing the lantern flames to flicker ominously.I shiver, drawing my cloak tighter around me.
"Rachel, look."Joey points at my face."Your eyes..."
I blink, realizing with a start that my vision has gone hazy around the edges, a telltale sign of my second sight kicking in.Lachina has been teaching me how to invoke my powers.The world around me blurs and shifts, ghostly images overlaying the misty forest.
"What do ye see, lass?"Father asks urgently, his hand on my shoulder.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to make sense of the visions that swirl behind my lids."I see...flames.A great bonfire, but it's not celebratory.There's shouting, the clash of steel..."My breath catches in my throat."Blood on the ground, mingling with spilled whisky."
Joey's grip on my hand tightens."That doesn't sound good.Any chance your magical powers can tell us how to avoid that specific future?"
I shake my head."It doesn't work like that.The visions are...fragments, possibilities.Nothing's set in stone."
