Anita Clenney - Embrace the Highland Warrior

“I knew it would work out,” Matilda said. “I never doubted it once. When you’re feeling better, I’ll let you read my vampire book.”

“Don’t worry,” Cody whispered. “No one will believe it.”

They ate and talked, recounting the nightmare, Malek and vampires. They considered what to do with the blond vampire in the dungeon who wasn’t talking, and what it meant to the clan and the castle now that the demons and vampires knew of its location. There was hope that all who knew about the castle had been killed, but everyone was left with an uneasy feeling. They puzzled over how Cody and Shay managed to kill an ancient demon without being killed themselves, how Shay and Bree killed those vampires, and how Bree used Edward’s talisman. They all agreed that Shay and Bree must have acquired some kind of vampire-hunting skills from their father, although no one knew why he had them. Bree was going to look closer into Edward’s past, hoping to unravel the mystery. There was also supposition that Bree was both a warrior and a Watcher, something the clan had never seen before.

Faelan shook his head and frowned. “She can’t be a Watcher or a warrior. I won’t let her.”

“Yes, dear,” Bree had said, patting his cheek.

Plied with food and conversation, several of the warriors were throwing darts with some friendly gambling on the side. Duncan and Sorcha had disappeared, and Brodie was taking bets as to whether they would come back fighting or kissing. They arrived minutes later, and from their heated faces, it could have been either.

“You realize you took on a demon of old, unassigned, and lived to tell about it?” Ronan said as Cody took his place before the target. “I’d say you’ve used up your luck, my friend.”

“I don’t need luck to beat you,” Cody said, laughing. “It’s all skill.”

“He’s good,” Lachlan said, petting the cat. “I’ve been trying to beat him for years.”

Shay studied the cat. As if it knew it was being watched, it turned its head and stared at her with intelligent green eyes, just like the owl that had helped her kill Ellis. She hadn’t told anyone about that. She hadn’t seen the owl’s eyes at the lake, when the vampire marked her, but she suspected they were green, and she suspected that owl was the reason the vampire hadn’t done more than mark her. That was a puzzle for another day. She had enough to deal with for now.

After Cody won, he happily took Ronan’s money. Ronan searched out a new opponent. “Ah, Orla, there you are. Feel like throwing a few darts?”

“Goodness, no,” Orla said, shuddering. She had been upstairs sleeping after arriving in the middle of the night. Bree had confided that although things weren’t perfect, at least they were talking.

“I’ll take you on,” Bree said.

Ronan frowned. “No, you won’t. You need to rest.”

“Why are you so bloody worried about my wife?” Faelan asked Ronan. “Don’t you think I can take care of her?”

Ronan gave Bree a loaded look, and Sorcha gasped. “She’s pregnant.”

Faelan’s jaw dropped, and Orla let out a squeal. “Pregnant? Pregnant! I’m going to be a grandmother?”

“A bairn?” Faelan asked, dazed. “We’re having a bairn?” He stared dumbly at Bree, who was scowling at Sorcha.

“I’m going to have a grandchild,” Orla wailed and clutched for something to hold on to, which happened to be Ronan. She wobbled, and two perfect tears trickled down her face. Ronan steadied her and pressed a handkerchief into her hand.

“A bairn,” Faelan said in wonder, followed by a frown. “Damnation! You used the talis…” he glanced at Orla and stopped, his face ashen. Everyone looked at Bree, horror dawning on every face as they contemplated her battling vampires and demons, using another warrior’s talisman, while she was pregnant. “You need a doctor.”

“She needs an obstetrician,” Orla said. “Your gynecologist can recommend someone.”

Faelan pressed Bree’s hand, as if to convince himself she still had a pulse. “Who’s this gynecologist?” he asked.

“He’s the guy who gets to see as much of her as you—” Lachlan broke off when Marcas elbowed him.

Ronan scowled at Sorcha. “You just couldn’t keep your mouth shut, could you? Bree wanted to tell him herself.”

“You knew?” Faelan said to Ronan. He turned on Bree. “Ye told him before ye told me? Why would ye do such a thing?”

“I wanted you to be the first to know, but you rushed off from the reception,” she said.

“You knew about it at the reception?” Orla asked, her face crumpling.

“It’s my fault for pulling him away,” Cody said, his voice cutting through the others.

“I wanted to tell you,” Bree said to Faelan, “but I didn’t want you distracted.”

“Do we know the sex?” Orla asked.

“No, Mom. I’m not that far along.” Bree gave Shay a sympathetic glance.

“We’ll need a pediatrician and a nursery,” Orla said, having regained her composure. “Green, I think. It’s a neutral color.”

“I always liked green,” Brodie said. “Blue’s good too.”

“Not blue,” Lachlan said. “It might be a girl.”

“Who cares?” Sorcha said. “Who made the rule that blue is for boys?”

Cody slipped his hand in Shay’s, gently squeezing, as the group settled into a lively discussion of everything from names to breast versus bottle. “Are you okay?”

His face had the same bittersweet look she probably wore. Happiness for their friends. Sadness for their own loss. Shay leaned her head against his shoulder, so solid and strong, and thanked God she had found Cody again. With him at her side, she could withstand anything. “I’m fine.”

A short while later, after Orla retired for a long soak in the tub, Sean brought out the Book of Battles . A whisper of awe spread around the room, and everyone leaned forward to look. Most warriors had never seen the Book of Battles , since the Keeper locked it away in a place known only to himself, but the book had been missing for longer than anyone in the room had been alive, except for Faelan, and Sean said after all the trouble, they at least deserved to see the thing they had been willing to sacrifice their lives to protect. Shay scooted closer, wishing she could touch it. After Sean disappeared with the book, the warriors discussed the vampires and demons, what they might have learned from the book, and what they planned to do with it. Shay leaned against Cody, content but tired.

“Ready for bed?” he asked.

“Ready for home. Take me to Virginia.”

***

Tristol moved closer to his sleeping prisoner, studying the man’s height, the size of his muscles. The capture had gone surprisingly well for such a powerful warrior. If this part of the plan worked, Tristol would bring his beloved race back to the glory they had once known, before their maker had abandoned them. He closed his eyes, remembering the soft, golden voice close to his ear, the stories of grandeur that could all be his. He would focus on strengthening his army now and find Edward’s emerald later. With Malek dead, Shay and Bree would be safe, giving Tristol time to figure out what secrets the sisters held. It was possible that neither of Edward’s daughters knew about the emerald. Edward may have hidden it. When Tristol opened his eyes, he saw the prisoner’s eyes were open, his dark gaze violent before it became shuttered. If this one proved worthy, the first prisoner could be destroyed. He had grown dangerously strong, killing several of his vampires.

“Bring him food,” he called to the guard. “I have to leave. The Dark One has summoned me.” Yet again. It was growing tedious. “Keep the prisoner a secret. No one can know he’s here. Increase the experiments.”