Page 73 of Treachery in the Highlands
"Yeah, but you've got the joker card, and I've got the ace."
A swirling mass of darkness grows beside Fulvio, who doesn't seem perturbed at all, like he expected this to happen.He keeps his arm tight around Lachina's throat.
The dark mass resolves into...a grizzled, gray-haired man with huge biceps who must stand at least seven feet tall.
Fulvio smirks."An Bodachis here, and he's very interested in the MacTaggart magics."
An Bodachglowers at Fulvio."Silence, ye fool.A laddie with a weebigealaisis of no interest to me."
The creepy old coot glances down at Fulvio's groin.I'm guessing "bigealais" is another word for "dick."
Kieran snarls through gnashed teeth, "Release my aunt now, before the wrath of the clans is unleashed upon you."
An Bodach's gaze sweeps across our group, his eyes glowing with an eerie light."The wrath of the clans?Ye have no idea what true wrath is, yecacan.Did ye enjoy meeting mybeithir?I conjured him just for you two."
I snort."Gee, thanks, jackass.Your silly purple teddy bear was about as terrifying as a squirrel."
Can't let this evil bastard know that hisbeithirsent us running through the woods to escape from the magically created monster.
With a flick of his wrist,An Bodachsends a shockwave of energy rippling through the air.I feel it hit me like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of me.All around us, Highlanders now stumble and fall as their weapons clatter to the ground.
Rachel stands firm, her eyes blazing with defiance."Ye may have power, old man, but this is our land.Our magic runs deep here."
An Bodach's lip curls into a cruel smile."Aye, lass.And that's precisely why I'm here."
He turns his attention to Lachina, still held captive by Fulvio."You, hag.You have the gift of the Two Sighs, do you not?"
Lachina's eyes widen, but she says nothing.Her gaze flicks to Rachel, a silent warning passing between them.
An Bodach chuckles darkly."No need to play coy.I can sense the power within you.The MacTaggart line has always been strong in the ways of magic."
I glance at Rachel, hoping for some clue as to what's going on.Her face is a mask of determination, but I can see the fear in her eyes.Whatever this An Bodach character is after, it can't be good.
"What do you want with my aunt?"Kieran growls, his hand tightening on his sword hilt.
The old bastard ignores him, his attention fixed solely on Lachina."You will show me the way to the ancient standing stones.The place where the veil between worlds is thinnest."
Lachina's eyes flash with defiance."I'll do no such thing, ye demon."
An Bodach's face contorts with rage.He raises his hand, dark energy crackling around his fingers."You'll cooperate, or I'll tear the knowledge from your mind piece by piece."
I feel utterly useless, my modern skills no match for this supernatural showdown.But I can't just stand here while this creep threatens Lachina.
"Hey, Old Man!"I shout, drawingAn Bodach's attention."Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"
Okay, not my best taunt, but it does the trick.
An Bodach's eyes narrow as he turns to face me, his lips curling into a sneer."Ah, the time-lost fool speaks.And what would ye know of power, small one?"
My first impulse is to spit an insult right back at him.But then I feel a chill slither down my spine as his gaze locks onto mine.I resolve to stand my ground---no matter what.
"Maybe not much," I admit, "but I know bullies when I see them.And you, grandpa, are nothing but a schoolyard thug with a fancy light show."
The old man's face contorts with rage, and I feel the atmosphere crackling with energy.Maybe antagonizing the evil wizard wasn't my smartest move.
"Joey, haud yer wheesht," Kieran hisses, but it's too late.
An Bodachraises his hand, dark tendrils of smoke coiling around his fingers."Ye dare mock me, ye wee scunner?Well, it's time to prove who has the power.Hold on to your corsets, ladies."
