Donna Grant: Midnight's Surrender

“Harriet,” Dale ground out. “She wants the land.”

“Danger comes now!” the voices said furiously before they faded away.

Dale turned to the entrance as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He moved swiftly to stand near the tunnel, blocking whoever was coming from seeing Rennie sleeping.

He just hoped the same magic that was keeping Rennie inside the chamber would keep whoever was coming out. And when he caught sight of the red hair, he knew instantly it was Harriet.

She stopped just short of stepping into the chamber. Her gaze fastened on him and she quirked an eyebrow. “Well, just who are you?”

“No’ someone you want to mess with.”

“No, you’ve got it wrong, sweetheart. I’m not someone you want to mess with,” she said smugly.

Dale shook his head. All droughs were the same—conceited, arrogant, and brash. “Because you’re a Druid?”

Her eyes widened a fraction before she composed herself. “How do you know what I am?”

“Because your magic makes me want to be sick there is so much evil running through you. You cleverly hide the scars on your wrist well enough. And your Demon’s Kiss? Where is it?”

“With me, of course,” she said and looked him up and down. “Who are you?”

Dale kept silent.

“Rennie’s watchdog, are you?” Harriet said with a sneer. “She might come from a family of Druids, but if you want the real magic, you should side with me.”

“Never,” he said adamantly.

She cocked and eyebrow. “You said you felt my magic. As far as I know, there is only one creature who can sense magic—a Warrior.” Harriet suddenly laughed and clapped her hands together. “Oh, this is perfect. Mousy Rennie has a Warrior. Where did she find you?”

“Leave here, and I might allow you to live,” Dale warned.

“Allow me to live?” Harriet laughed coldly. “You’ve got it wrong, big man. I’ll be the one deciding who lives,” she said, the malice dripping from her words.

Dale released his god and lunged for her, but it was too late, a blast of magic had him pinned against the wall.

Rennie came out of her sleep slowly, the sound of the ancients screaming in her ear. When she did come fully awake she couldn’t shake the innate sense that she must remain absolutely still.

Her eyes flew open when she heard the malicious laughter. Then she saw Dale—his skin the same pale green she had seen in his eyes—suspended off the ground as he was held against the wall.

“I’ve wanted to meet a Warrior.”

As soon as the words were spoken Rennie recognized the voice—Harriet. Rennie’s gaze sought Dale’s, but he refused to even look her way. For whatever reason, Harriet didn’t know she was there, and Dale was doing his best to keep it that way.

“Does Rennie know what you are?” Harriet asked.

Dale’s lips peeled back to reveal impressive fangs. “She knows, drough .”

“And where is she?”

Rennie held her breath as she waited for Dale to answer. The stillness grew as he refused to respond.

A half-growl, half-scream fell from Harriet’s lips. “Talk, Warrior, or I’ll inflict more pain.”

Dale just smiled, as if inviting her to try. Rennie licked her lips while silently begging Dale not to antagonize Harriet.

“Suit yourself,” Harriet said.

A grimace stole over Dale’s face, and his body jerked as Harriet poured her magic into him. Rennie saw him clutching the stones and noticed his green claws.

Suddenly, Dale was dropped to the ground. He landed bent forward and slowly rolled up straight. His gaze was trained on Harriet, and there was deadly intent in his pale green Warrior eyes.

“Why can’t I get inside?” Harriet demanded.

“The MacBeths doona want you here.”

She gave a loud snort. “Our families had a truce.”

“A truce you’re breaking,” Dale reminded her. “This is Rennie’s land, and this chamber was meant for the Druids of her family. That isna you.”

“I’ve been searching for this place for over twenty years. I’ll not have some Warrior stop me.”

Rennie was about to get up and tell Harriet what she could do with her plans. As if sensing her thoughts, Dale strode with long purposeful steps until he stood between Harriet and Rennie.

“I’m no’ the one preventing you from entering. That, drough , is Rennie’s ancestors and the magic they placed here.”

Rennie looked around the fire pit to watch Harriet, and that’s when she saw the white strips of something coming from beneath the pit. It wasn’t smoke, but she wasn’t sure what it was.

“Then we need Rennie so she can make sure I’m allowed in,” Harriet stated.

Rennie rolled her eyes. Did everyone think she was that naïve? Perhaps she was. She might not have ever liked Harriet, but she hadn’t thought Harriet would do her real harm. Dale had known though, and he had warned her.

The thought of what could have happened to her had Dale not come when he did left Rennie aghast. He hadn’t just saved her from the cold. He had saved her from Harriet.

One of the white streamers undulated toward her hand. Rennie saw it just as it touched her skin. Before she could move away she felt it brush against her as soft as a breeze.

Something sizzled beneath her skin, and her magic answered instantly. She reached for the streamer, surprised to find it winding around her fingers.

“Accept who you are.”

The ancients’ words reverberated in her mind. She had always accepted she was a Druid, she just hadn’t liked that she was one. All that had changed since Dale. He made her feel special, exceptional.

Remarkable.

She didn’t feel like a freak with him. In his arms, she embraced her magic and being a Druid. In his arms, she … accepted herself. All her faults, all her worries, all her dreams. And all her desires.

Rennie felt her magic swell, just as her passion did. They were intertwined—and connected to Dale. Instead of fighting against her magic, she let it envelop her, take her.

Her eyes slid shut as she heard Dale moan before he quickly turned it into a growl. She wondered if he could feel her magic, and she smiled as she remembered how it affected him.

Then she recalled Harriet and opened her eyes to find Harriet watching Dale intently.

“Is something wrong, Warrior?” she asked shrewdly.

Dale flexed his hands, his claws gleaming in the firelight. “Bugger off, drough .”

“Where is Rennie?”

“Somewhere you can no’ get to her.”

Harriet lifted a brow. “Is that right?”

“Aye. Since you can no’ get inside this chamber, and Rennie isna here for you to confront, maybe you should run along.”

“Oh, you’d like that,” she said with a sly smile. “But I’m not going anywhere, handsome. Why don’t you help me achieve my goals? I can give you anything you want.”

In response, Dale laughed. “I’ve found all I need.”

“Rennie?” Harriet asked with a sneer. “You need a real woman.”

“And that would be you?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll pass.”

Rennie could see Harriet’s ire growing. She had remained hidden long enough. This was her battle, not Dale’s. Rennie got to her feet and silently took a seat on one of the rocks.

“You don’t know what you’re missing,” Harriet said sweetly as she stuck her impressive breasts toward Dale.

Rennie squared her shoulders and said, “He’s already declined. Don’t make a bigger fool of yourself.”

Dale shifted so that he was in profile. He met her gaze and gave her a slight nod to let her know he would back whatever plan she had. The idea that no matter what he would be there gave Rennie the courage to use her magic in ways she had never thought to before.