By the time she had the kettle on, Malcolm had set out a tray of cold chicken, several blocks of cheese, and a loaf of bread. He cut up the chicken and cheese as she found two cups and poured them tea.
They ate in silence, their fingers touching occasionally. Each time a little shock went through her, making her want to touch him more. Malcolm made sure her plate was never empty. Evie was caught off guard by his chivalry. She tried to catch his gaze to thank him, but he refused to look at her.
He offered her the last piece of chicken, which she declined. “I’m stuffed.”
Evie reached for the now empty plate only to have Malcolm’s large hand graze hers again. She shivered at the way her blood heated and her heart pounded whenever they touched.
She must be the only one who felt it though, because he rose and began cleaning the kitchen without so much as a look in her direction. Evie stood and wandered the house looking at pictures of the family while trying to tamp down the desire.
It seemed odd to be in someone’s house, but she was out of the chilly weather. She glanced out the window to see rain running down the glass.
So Malcolm had been right. There was another storm. Evie was glad not to be in it, but the longer she held off gaining black magic, the longer Brian was in danger.
She pulled out her phone from her pocket and checked the texts. The kidnappers still hadn’t told her when they were supposed to meet. She started to demand her brother back right then, but she paused, her fingers over the keys.
If she went for Brian now, then she’d lose the necklace, and most likely Brian. The odds of getting her brother back were slim. She understood that, which was why she had to have more magic. The kidnappers would never see what she had in store for them.
She watched the video of Brian again, afraid of texting the kidnappers and them harming her brother. Her throat tightened when she saw the frightened look in Brian’s eyes. He was trying to tell her something, but the brief view she had of his face wasn’t enough to give her anything.
Her phone vibrated in her hand, making her jump. Evie looked down to find a text from the kidnappers demanding to meet at Urquhart Castle the next day at noon.
She had only a little while until she’d get Brian back. Only a short time to gain a tremendous amount of magic and learn how to use it.
Evie looked out the window again. The rain was coming down hard. It wasn’t the weather that kept her inside, but Malcolm. She didn’t want him to see what she was going to do. J had said the stone circle was a private place for Druids only.
But it was more than that. There was a chance Malcolm would kill her. His hatred of
droughs
ran that deep.
She would wait until Malcolm was asleep, and then she would sneak out and do the ceremony. With her decision made, Evie continued her exploration of the house.
The house had three bedrooms and two baths. Evie couldn’t resist the master bathroom when she walked in and saw the large shower. She stripped and turned on the water.
Just before she stepped in, she looked at the door wondering what Malcolm was doing and if he would stay as he’d promised.
She thought of her brother and the people who had dared to kidnap him. Evie sent up a prayer that Brian was being treated fairly, and that somehow both of them would come out of everything alive.
Evie removed her necklace and held the pendant in front of her. The knotwork etched into the silver cross was breathtaking, harking back to a different time. She vividly remembered tracing the knotwork while her grandmother had worn the necklace.
It had been given to her for safekeeping because she was a Druid. And because of her stupidity and foolishness, Brian was in danger and the necklace was being sought.
“I’m so sorry, Grandmum. I made you a promise to keep the pendant safe, and I’ve not done that. I’ve really made a muck of things.”
But she was going to straighten it out.
If she did lose the pendant, she’d get it back. No matter how long it took or what she had to do, she would wear it once more.
The sound of Malcolm’s boot heels sounded on the wood floor as he walked the living room. An image of him in Warrior form flashed in her mind.
He was starkly beautiful, dangerously wild. Completely menacing.
And wonderfully, utterly male.
He stood solemnly against the world, boldly daring it to take him on, for anyone courageous enough to try. He defied the magical world he was part of and shunned the mortal one.
He was alone, a solitary Highlander who was as fierce and tempestuous as the land he belonged to. Fate dealt him cruel blow after blow, and still he remained standing, valiant and bold.
She closed her eyes as she stepped beneath the water. If only Malcolm was with her, if only he would give in to the need she saw glimpses of every now and then.
If only he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
Wallace Mansion
Brian walked the length and breadth of his cell. He wanted to scream his exasperation, but it would do no good. No one could hear him.
He slammed his open palm against the metal bars holding him. Not even the pain of that could dampen his rage. The maniac who had taken him was going about his business as if he abducted people all the time.
And for all Brian knew, he did.
Brian got a glimpse of the wealth of the mansion when he was summarily ushered through the front door and then down into the dungeon.
The fact the man was all alone didn’t go unnoticed by Brian. His kidnapper managed to convince everyone at the school that Brian had to go with him.
Then there was the issue that he’d subdued Brian without any effort.
Brian flexed his hand. He could bench 250 pounds. For two years after being ganged up on by a group of guys, he spent every spare minute of his time in the school’s weight room.
No longer did anyone pick on him. He filled out his shirts with arms that were thick and strong instead of skinny and useless.
He regularly got into the ring at the village’s boxing club, because there was only so much muscle could do unless someone knew how to wield their body into a weapon.
Brian had become that weapon. Or so he thought until he met his capture. The man had taken him easily. Too bloody easily.
“What would you be saying, I wonder,” came a voice behind him.
Brian whirled around to find his abductor. The man was tall and thin. He had thin blond hair and cold, calculating blue eyes. His nose was hawkish, and his face too thin and angular. Not even the fit of his tailored suit could make him meagerly good-looking.
He sneered at the man and rushed the metal bars separating them. Brian wrapped his hands around two of the bars and bared his teeth.
“Doona worry, lad. Your sister will be along shortly. I’ve made sure of it, you see.”
Brian felt sick to his stomach. Why did the man want Evie?
“Jason Wallace is the name,” the man said. “I might have failed to give you my name earlier.”
Brian narrowed his gaze and stilled. There was only one reason for a criminal to show his face or give his prisoner his name. And that was because he planned to kill Brian.
“Oh, no,” Jason said as he shook his head. “I’m no’ going to kill you, lad. There willna be a need once Evangeline arrives. You see, she’s important to me. She’s going to fulfill a prophecy that will unleash an evil this world has never seen.”
Brian released the bars and took several steps away from Jason. He shook his head, not wanting to hear more—or believe any of it.
“It’s true,” Jason continued. “She’s a Druid, lad. Did you know that? Your sister holds magic, and it’s that magic that is going to help me. Right now she’s a simple
mie
. But it willna be long now until she gives her soul to Satan and becomes
drough
.”
Brian let out a sound as close to a scream as he could get. Evie was all that he had left in the world. He might give her hell sometimes, but he would do anything for her.
He also knew that she’d do whatever it took to get him freed. Brian dropped his chin to his chest and silently raged at his inability to do anything.
“How is it, Brian, that your sister has magic, but you doona?” Jason asked.
Brian fisted his hands and slowly raised his gaze to Jason. He let every ounce of hate and fury show through his eyes. When Jason chuckled, it only made his rage grow.
“You didna know your sister was a Druid.”
Brian let the bastard think what he wanted. In truth, he knew all about Evie’s magic. It was one secret that had been shared. He, however, had a secret of his own.
“It’s too bad you doona have any magic,” Jason said with a smirk. “I could turn you as well. I’m ever amazed at the bonds people share. It’s those bonds that make them do whatever it is I want.”
Jason came closer to the bars and peered at Brian. “Did you know there are monsters out there? There is one with your sister now. He’s doing all sorts of things to her. By the time he’s done, I wonder how much will be left.”
Brian didn’t want to believe him, but how could he not? He tuned out Jason and let his mind wander. Evie had always been independent and headstrong. She was also highly intelligent and rarely reckless.
If anyone could look out for themselves, Brian knew it was her.
He made himself relax and sit on the narrow cot that served as his bed. It had a thin mattress, a blanket, and a pillow. There was a pot in the corner for him to relieve himself. That was it in the square room he’d been confined to.
Nothing to use as a weapon, unless he wanted to throw piss at Jason.
Brian bit back a grin as he imagined Jason’s outrage.
Suddenly Brian was slammed back against the stones that made up the back wall of the cell, his head banging hard. Something warm and wet trickled down the back of his neck.
“You’re no’ listening to me,” Jason said through clenched teeth.
Brian blinked twice until his vision cleared and he saw Jason standing outside the cell. It hadn’t taken much to rile him.
Pain throbbed in his head and neck, but Brian refused to let Jason know. He returned Jason’s stare and simply waited.
“Ah. So no’ like most lads your age, are you?” Jason smiled coolly and rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I could make you my slave if I wanted.”
Brian’s blood turned cold at the thought. He had underestimated Jason. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—do that again. Now that he had a hint of how much magic Jason had, he’d be able to tell Evie.
He just had to make sure he was still in control of his own mind and body when Evie got there. Then she would be able to take Jason on and get them both out.
* * *
Malcolm walked into the master bedroom intent on looking through the man’s closet for a shirt. When he heard the water from the shower, he stopped and stared at the door.
Just on the other side of a slim piece of wood was the Druid. Naked.
Water rushing over her skin, soap sliding seductively, slowly down her body. That long, lovely hair of hers wet and thick as she rinsed the shampoo out.
Breathing became difficult as all his blood rushed to his cock. Malcolm remembered the weight of her breast, recalled the feel of her slick walls as he pushed a finger inside her.
He didn’t know how long he stood there thinking of the last time the Druid was in his arms, of how right it had felt, how absolutely wonderful. It could have been seconds or hours.
The door to the bathroom opened and the Druid emerged with a towel wrapped around her. Her skin was still dewy, her wet hair already beginning to curl as strands clung to her.
Malcolm knew he should leave. By being this close he tempted himself in ways he couldn’t overcome. No matter what his brain told him to do, his body was in control. And he wanted to stay.
Clear blue eyes met his. Her lips parted, but no words were spoken. They stared at each other, locked in silence, passion and desire growing with each breath.
There were only six steps separating them. It would be so easy to close the distance and take her in his arms, and Malcolm knew how good she tasted, knew how incredible she felt in his arms.
He’d managed to walk away once. He wouldn’t be able to do it again.
Her fist clutched the fluffy purple towel at her breasts. In another life Malcolm would have charmed his way into the Druid’s bed. But he no longer knew how to be charming or anything else.
For years, he simply existed. Now, emotions he didn’t want ruled him every second. And, right then, it was desire and need that had a firm hold of him.
Malcolm swallowed thickly when the Druid took a step toward him, the towel parting to reveal a long, shapely leg. With each step the towel drifted open more, until he caught a glimpse of her bare hip.
His heart pounded in his chest as if he’d run a thousand miles. Malcolm lifted his gaze to her face and inwardly groaned. He hungered for her—with a desperation that made him want to toss her on the bed and take her right then.
“Leave,” he told her.
The Druid shook her head before her slender arm reached up and her fingers ran through her hair. Large, wet curls a deep, rich brown fell about her face and shoulders.
Her allure was palpable.
Her seduction irresistible.
Malcolm feared what he would do to her if he took her. It had been too long since his body had had release. And he was a beast. He could hurt her.
“Leave,” he urged again.
The corners of her lips lifted. And then she released her hold on the towel.
All the breath left Malcolm as the towel landed with a soft
whoosh
around her feet. His gaze raked over her body leisurely, noting her small but full breasts and her dark, dusky nipples.
His gaze lowered to her waist, down her navel to her flared hips. And then down to the triangle of dark curls. He got his first look at her lean legs and couldn’t wait to have them wrapped around his waist.
“You doona know what you’re doing teasing me like this, Druid.” He didn’t recognize the rough voice coming from his body, but then again, he’d never felt such aching, insistent desire before.