Page 69 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
“Where are they, Jake?”
“In da boat. Behine her.” Sandor took off running, then stopped quickly and began to play on the floor again, Sylvi and Tora joining them.
Then Sloan paced, cursing. “It’s this storm. Their boat crashed. But where? And is someone with Sheona or is she alone? Or does Clyde already have her?” He stopped and stared up at the rafters. “What the hell do I do?”
Dyna said, “The parapets, Derric. I need to go up.”
Derric replied, “Hell nay, Diamond. It’s storming out there. You’ll be hit by lightning.”
“I have to go up there too,” Avelina said. “Or this headache will never stop. Maitland, help me. Drew can’t get me up those stairs.”
Maitland handed Grant over to Maeve and helped his mother to the stairs, picking her up when she stumbled. Dyna climbed behind him, Derric supporting her.
Sloan shouted, “I’m coming with you!”
Lennox was next. “Aye!”
Dyna waved them up. When they finally landed on the parapets, forcing the heavy door open, Avelina and Dyna each sat on stools, settling next to each other with everyone’s help, linking their hands. Derric covered Dyna with a mantle, doing his best to keep the pelting rain from her face. “Damn storm.”
Avelina kept her back to the downpour, Drew behind her.
“What do you see, Dyna?” Avelina whispered.
“The boat. Two people in it. I see the abbey behind it.”
Sloan said, “It’s Sheona. It has to be. What else? Is it raining?”
Avelina let go of Dyna’s hand to massage her forehead. “The rain is pelting Sheona. The waves are beating against the boat. I see a tree falling into the water, sending large, battering waves their way.”
“Who?” Sloan bellowed. “You say ‘their way?’ Who is with her? Taskill? Clyde? My father?”
Dyna screamed, holding her head, tears now pouring down her cheeks. “Nay, nay!”
Sloan moved toward her, but Connor held him back. “Leave her be. Let her do this.”
Sloan closed his eyes and stepped aside, waiting, Lennox behind him, clasping his shoulder.
Avelina wailed, “Nay! Look out! The wave is coming! The giant wave will …”
Dyna cried, “The boat! It’s Taskill, Sloan. Taskill and Sheona. But …”
“But what?” Lennox and Sloan bellowed in unison.
Dyna dropped her hands and stood, Avelina doing the same, the two turning toward them. Dyna shouted over the storm. “The waves hit the boat, and the boards exploded. Sheona and Taskill are in the sea.”
“Shite!” Sloan bellowed. “Come on, Lennox. We have to find them.”
Maitland said, “You’ll never find them in this storm, Sloan. You could lose your own life on the way. They could be close to shore. They’re both strong swimmers, are they not?”
Lennox said, “Aye, and Taskill won’t leave without her, Sloan. Maitland is right. In good weather, we’re over an hour away. They have to save themselves. As soon as the storm ebbs, we’ll head to MacClane Castle.”
Connor said, “Do you see anyone else, Dyna? Anyone on shore? Any boat nearby?”
Dyna shook her head, but Avelina nodded. “I do.”
“Who?” Sloan asked. “Who?”
Avelina smiled and whispered, “Lia. She’s on the shore watching.”
