Page 48 of Treachery in the Highlands
I shake Joey hard, so hard in fact that I fear I've jostled all the brain cells out of his head, and soon they'll come tumbling out of his ears.My first response is to panic, but I take a deep breath and urge myself to relax.Mayhap Ashray-inspired sex was simply too much for Joey.But no, he's a strong lad.Only Joey Finnegan would have dared to punch Alisdair MacLeod.
He will come through.He must.
Since I cannae wake him with any amount of shaking or slapping, I have just one option.I must somehow drag him back to the castle.But I dinnae dare leave him here alone and unconscious.So, I grasp him under the arms and attempt to heave him up.Sweet Mary, the man is heavy as a boulder---all that muscle weighs more than it seems.With a mighty struggle, I manage to get him half-upright before my arms begin to shake with the effort.
"Joey Finnegan, I swear by all the witches of the Highlands, if ye dinnae wake up this instant, I'll hex ye into the next century," I holler, though my threat lacks conviction.
I resolve to get us both dressed before I attempt to drag him home.By the time I've finished my task, I'm out of breath and speckled with dirt.Joey is also filthy.I'll wash his clothes for him later.Right now, I need to find a method of getting him home.
I let him slide back down gently, cradling his head so it doesn't thump against the ground.His face is remarkably peaceful in unconsciousness, those whisky brown eyes hidden beneath closed lids.I explore the area, hunting for anything I might use as a litter.After what feels like hours, but couldn't have been more than a few moments, I find two branches lying on the ground and a few smaller ones that I use as crosspieces.Then, I stretch my shift across the entire framework.
Aye, this might work.
I take a wee break to eat some of the food in our picnic basket.I'll need energy to haul Joey back to the castle.The sustenance helps, and I feel strong enough to undertake my journey.Fortunately, the waterfall isn't far from home.I allow myself only a few breaks to rest along the way, arriving at the rear of the castle just as the sun is beginning its descent.The bakehouse is attached to the rear, and it's closer than the garden door.So, I drag Joey into the bakehouse and set the litter down on the floor as gently as I can.
Once I've caught my breath, I fling the bakehouse door open and shout, "Help!Help!"
My parents are in the courtyard.They race toward me, reaching me swiftly.
"What's happened to Joey?"Father asks."He seems pale."
"And not well at all," Mother interjects."Let's get him into the house.Rachel's explanation can wait until later."
"Aye, it can."Father lifts Joey off the floor and throws the laddie over his shoulder."Alyssa, go and get the aunts."
She races away, following his orders.
My father carries Joey out of the bakehouse and marches straight into the house.As he stomps up the staircase, heading for Joey's room on the third floor, my mother and my great-aunts emerge from downstairs wearing anxious expressions.I'm worried also, but I cannae think about what has happened to Joey.He will be all right?Or won't he?Aye, of course he will.He must.
But what if someone has poisoned him with dark magics?I'm being ridiculous.The aunts would know if such a thing had been done to him.
Father stalks into Joey's chambers and lays him down on the bed.Then he turns to me."You lasses can take care of him now."
Kieran MacTaggart departs the bedroom, his footfalls growing softer and softer until I can't hear them at all.He didnae even ask why Joey was naked, thank goodness.I dinnae care to explain that.
My mother and the aunts set about working on Joey.I know I should help, but I cannae tear my gaze away from his limp form and his pale complexion.I stand frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as I watch the women fuss over Joey.His face is ashen, his breathing shallow.What if he doesn't wake up?What if I've lost him forever?The thought sends a shiver down my spine.
"Rachel,leannan," Great-Aunt Lachina says in a gentle tone that disperses my panic."Fetch us clean cloths and water, will ye?"
I nod curtly, grateful for something to do.As I hurry to gather the supplies, I can hear the hushed whispers of my mother and the aunts, though I can't make out their words.They're speaking in Gaelic, that's all I can tell.
When I return, Morna is holding her hands over Joey's chest, her eyes closed in concentration.A faint blue light emanates from her palms, pulsing in rhythm with Joey's shallow breaths.I hand the cloths and water to my mother, who begins to dab at Joey's forehead with a damp cloth.
I wring my hands."What's wrong with him?"
Efrica glances at me."It's not poison, dearie.But there's a darkness clinging to him, like a shadow that doesn't belong."
"Is it...because of me?Because I brought him into the castle?Mayhap those dark forces are after Joey because they know I care for him."
My mother pulls me into a firm hug."Hush now, sweetie.This is not your doing.Something far more sinister is at work here."
I watch as Morna continues her ministrations, the blue light growing stronger.Joey's chest rises and falls more steadily now, but his eyes remain closed.
"There's a battle raging within him," Morna declares, her eyes still closed."Something is trying to take hold, to claim his very soul."
"Can ye help him?"
"We're doing what we can,gràidh," Lachina assures me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder."But this is unlike anything we've encountered before."
