Page 87 of Treachery in the Highlands
"The paintings!They're moving!"she shrieks, her voice slicing through the din before she bolts past me, a desperate blur heading for the exit.
She's right---the Highland landscapes on the walls have burst to life, clouds roiling across painted skies, heather dancing in an unseen tempest.In one particularly vivid battle scene, tiny warriors clash as their miniature swords ring out, their war cries a faint yet fierce undercurrent to the bedlam.
I seize the book, its leather radiating an odd warmth and throbbing in my grip like a heart torn from its chest.As I lift it from the shattered display case, the entire building seems to release a deep, collective sigh.
"I've got it!"I roar, though the tumult makes me question whether Rachel can hear my triumphant cry from wherever she is concealed.
Her voice fills my head rather than my ears:Run now, Joey.They're coming.
I don't need to ask who "they" are.The cops are after me.
As I race toward the main doors, I realize everyone has evacuated the museum---except for one beautiful, redheaded lass.
"Rachel, are you okay?"I ask while struggling to catch my breath."I heard you shouting."
"Trying to get your attention,gràidh."
"Let's get out of here."
Rachel pulls me close and begins to chant in Gaelic.
The world spins around us, and the museum fades away.I feel like I might vomit from the high-speed whirling, but I squeeze my eyes shut in the vain hope I won't upchuck all over the woman I adore.The sounds of the city gradually return.
I open my eyes to see Rachel grinning."You think my nausea is funny?"
"No,leannan.I'm smiling because we escaped unscathed."She tucks the book inside her cloak."Would ye mind if we studied the book later?I would love for you to show me your world before we go home."
"How can I turn down an offer like that?I'd be honored to act as your tour guide.New York City is like nowhere else on earth."
"That's why I want to see it through your eyes, Joey."
"Let's get started, then."
Rachel's eyes light up with that infectious curiosity I've come to love.Even after all we've been through---medieval battles, time portals, and now museum heists---she still looks at everything like it's magical.Coming from an actual witch, that's saying something.
"Is that one of your steel dragons?"She teases, pointing at a yellow cab screeching around the corner.
"That's just a taxi.The steel dragons are much bigger and fly through the sky."
Her laughter bubbles up like champagne, melodic against the harsh city soundtrack."You're teasing me again, Joey Finnegan."
"Only a little."I grab her hand as we merge into the crowd of pedestrians."Stay close.New York has its own kind of magic---mostly the kind that makes your wallet disappear."
Nobody bats an eye at the Scottish hottie wearing medieval garb.A few guys give her salacious looks, but Rachel pays no attention to that.She has eyes only for me, and vice versa.I love watching her reactions---the wonder in her eyes, the thrill she gets from visiting the modern world.
We duck into a small coffee shop to catch our breath and take stock of our situation.The café's warmth envelops us like a shield against the chaos we've left behind.
"You're certain no one followed us?"Rachel whispers, her fingers still clutching the ancient tome beneath her cloak.The book seems to pulse between us, a living connection to her world---to our world now, I suppose.
"Reasonably certain," I reply, scanning the busy New York street through the steamy window."The city's got millions of people.We're just two more faces in the crowd."
Rachel's eyes widen as a barista calls out an order with the theatrical volume unique to Manhattan service workers."TRIPLE SHOT CARAMEL MACCHIATO FOR BRAD!"
"What manner of beverage requires such an announcement?"she asks, leaning closer to me.
I can't hold back my smile."That's just coffee with extra stuff in it.Wait till you try it---it's like your morning tea, but if your tea could punch you in the face with energy."
Rachel's eyebrows arch with intrigue."I should like to experience this face-punching beverage.Is it anything like a venti latte?My mother told me about that, but I have never tasted such a beverage."
