Page 39 of The Highland Curse
“Stand aside,” he said, jerking his chin at the entrance that they obstructed. “Or I’ll slit her throat.”
A commotion sounded at the doorway, and three more warriors crowded there.
“We heard shouting, master!” a voice boomed across the small chamber. He was a burly man who led the group. Taking in the sight of Duncan and the two Dunnvie guards, his brows snapped together. “Who are ye?” he barked at Duncan. Then he turned his gaze to the advisor. “And what’s happening here?”
At seeing his men, Fingal’s confidence buoyed. “These men have breached the security of the castle,” he said, the ugly curl returning to his lips. The hand that held the dagger lowered, and he loosened his hold on Adrina slightly. “Ye are now outnumbered, MacGregon,” he said gesturing to his men at the threshold. His eyes began to shine with triumph. “And ye are going tae regret ever coming here.” Taking in a deep breath, he bellowed, “Kill them!”
Duncan brandished his claymore. He rushed at the guards, striking hard and keeping them at bay. Relief flooded him when he heard the sound of fighting at his back. Conran and Hamish had joined in the skirmish.
But then a sudden scream rang throughout the chamber. He whipped his head in time to see Fingal securing Adrina more tightly to his chest. Duncan started to break away from the fighting to help Adrina. But she didn’t need his assistance. Rearing back her arm, she thrust her elbow deep into Fingal’s abdomen. The tremendous blow caused the air in his lungs to rush forth. And as the man doubled over in pain, he dropped the dagger to the ground.
That was when Duncan saw his chance. He dropped his sword and dove at the smaller man. The sudden charge took Fingal by surprise, and the force of the motion caused him to arch backward. Somehow in his descent, he managed to grab onto Adrina, and the three of them crashed to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
Duncan got up first and pulled Adrina up with him. But then she glanced down at Fingal who was still sprawled on the ground. Before anyone could blink, she bent down and tore the signet ring from Fingal’s hand.
“’Tis mine!” he shouted, clawing at the ring.
But before the cleric had a chance to reach Adrina, Duncan lifted his booted foot, and rammed it down on the advisor’s hand.
Fingal shrieked.
In an act of desperation, he bent his legs, kicking hard at Duncan. The force of the kick caused Duncan’s knees to collapse. While he started to recover from the sudden assault, the advisor squirmed to retrieve the dagger that lay on the ground. And when the smaller man secured the blade in his hand, he scrambled up.
Meanwhile the three guards abruptly ceased their attacks, and stood in the middle of the floor, holding their heads. They peered around the small chamber as if they had just awoken from a deep slumber.
“Where am I?” one of the guards asked.
“The high tower,” Hamish replied.
“The high tower?” another guard repeated, his voice suspicious. “What are we doing in this auld chamber?”
“MacNauld is the one who brought ye here,” Hamish growled, pointing an accusing finger at Fingal. “He has put a hex on us all. And for many months he has controlled our minds and actions.”
One by one, they turned to Fingal, their gazes narrowing with rancor.
“’Tis a lie.” Fingal gripped the dagger so tightly that the whites of his knuckles stood out.
“’Tis ye that lie,” Adrina said, her voice fierce with anger. “Your greediness and lust for power will be your downfall. And my parents will be avenged. Arrest him!”
“I didnae do anything wrong,” he protested. “The clan needed a better leader —” His eyes widened as the guards bore down on him, their expressions forbidding and cold. He looked wildly around him, and his desperation increased when he discovered that he was completely trapped.
Hamish grabbed Fingal by the scruff of the neck, and in panic, the advisor slashed his blade at the warrior, drawing blood. The guard howled in pain. In a blinding rage, he thrust his sword at the cleric, piercing him in the chest.
A blood-curdling screech reverberated throughout the chamber, and Fingal fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
Then there was silence.
Adrina looked at the body, an expression of shock on her face. The scream had drawn more people to the tower chamber, and they now crowded at the door. They too were looking down at the corpse lying on the ground, their expression ranging from confusion to shock.
“Take him away,” Duncan commanded.
Two guards came forward, and dragged the corpse out of the room.
Duncan reached over and pulled Adrina into his arms. “Are ye all right?” he asked.
Adrina looked up at him and nodded.
“Ye came back for me,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.
