Dark Sword 05: Shadow Highlander (6 page)

“They spoke of an artifact. You acted as though you knew exactly what they sought. Why have I never heard of it before?”

Reaghan didn’t bother to tell the elder she had known of this “artifact” for some time, after reading the markings on the pillars just as she hadn’t told Galen she could read the markings. Again, she wasn’t sure how she understood what the markings said, only that she did. She was excited that someone else could read them as well.

Mairi turned her back to Reaghan once more to look at the serene loch. Her knuckles had turned white as they gripped her skirts. “There are many things only we elders know. And it must stay that way.”

Reaghan knew she had been dismissed. If she didn’t know better she would think Mairi had turned around so Reaghan couldn’t look in her eyes and see if she was lying.

Reaghan left the cottage and paused. Mairi hadn’t forbade her from interacting with their guests, but she knew that’s what Mairi wanted. But it wasn’t what she wanted.

She had only to follow the stares of the women to find Galen and Logan. To her surprise she found Braden hiding behind a tree as he watched their visitors. The men sat facing each other, both lounging against a tree. They spoke in hushed tones, but their gazes missed nothing.

“Would you like to meet them?” she asked Braden.

He spun around and looked at her with wide, brown eyes. “I was told to stay away from them. Are they bad?”

“I don’t believe so, but you must listen to your mother, Braden. She is doing what she thinks is best for you.”

“You’ve talked to the men, haven’t you? I heard you were the one who found them.”

She smiled down into his upturned face, so full of life and innocence. It was curiosity that made him ask that question, not ulterior motives as she would suspect of others. “Aye, I did. They are rather imposing, aren’t they? But they are just men.”

He glanced over his shoulder at them and frowned. “They doona have weapons.”

“Because they knew we wouldn’t allow them into our village with them. Weapons or not, they are Highlanders, Braden, and I’ve no doubt they have stood in many battles.”

His face brightened then. “Oh, aye. I bet they have.”

He ran off, leaving Reaghan smiling. Braden had a way of brightening her days. She was sure having men around would help the lad, and she regretted that his first real look at a Highlander, a warrior, kept him from interacting with them.

Someone needed to teach Braden to use a sword, and it wouldn’t be any of the women. He would need someone like Galen.

As soon as the thought went through her mind she knew it could never be. Braden’s mother was very protective. At the forefront of every Druid’s mind was hiding from Deirdre and surviving one more day. The magic of their village kept them safe.

Reaghan tucked her hair behind her ear and wished she had taken the time to braid the unruly mess before she saw Galen again.

She wasn’t the only one who found the men appealing. The younger women, the ones still of childbearing age, had gotten up the courage to approach Galen and Logan.

Reaghan hesitated. Logan was smiling, and whatever he said had the others laughing as well. The five women were hanging on his every word and practically rubbing against him.

Her gaze shifted and clashed with a cobalt-blue one. Her stomach fluttered as if birds were trapped inside. She was nervous and restless to be near Galen. A heady combination for a woman who knew nothing of men.

Galen’s lips tilted in a grin. He motioned her over with a wave of his hand. His gaze was warm, welcoming and beckoning her closer.

Reaghan was about to go to him until she remembered the other women. She didn’t want them to overhear her questions. Maybe it was better as Mairi said to leave Galen alone. She dropped her gaze and hurried to her cottage before she changed her mind and went to the tempting Highlander.

*   *   *

Galen frowned as Reaghan disappeared from view once again. She had been about to come to him, he was sure of it. What could have kept her away?

She had seemed concerned about the other women, but surely that wouldn’t have kept her from asking the questions he knew burned inside her.

Reaghan was like a caged bird. She longed for freedom, could see it, taste it, but was afraid of it just the same. These Druids were the only thing she knew, and with most of her memories gone, she was afraid to trust anyone but them.

He could understand her reluctance, but eventually, he knew she would break free of her restraints, she would shake away the fear that kept her rooted in the village. And she would sprout her wings and fly.

Strange that he wanted to be there when she did it. He imagined she would be magnificent when she became the woman who answered to no one and bravely went out into a world filled with cruelty and evil.

But she would shine, and she would live.

FIVE

Galen stood at the pillars looking over the designs and markings left by the ancient Celts, the morning sun giving off just enough light to bathe everything in a golden glow.

“You could no’ sleep either, I take it,” Logan said as he came to stand beside him.

Galen shook his head. “These Druids trust their magic, but I doona trust Deirdre. She’s going to come here, and it could be any day. I kept watch most of the night.”

“Did you see anything?”

“Nothing. It’s quiet.”

Logan grunted and folded his arms across his chest. He jerked his chin to the stone columns. “Did you learn anything else from the markings?”

“I did.” Galen glanced around them to make sure there weren’t any Druids near enough to hear them. “The stones, along with the area used by the Druids, are protected by Druid magic, a magic used to hide something of significance.”

“The artifact.”

Galen nodded. “That is my reckoning. Where it’s at is another matter.”

Logan moved nearer to one of the pillars and ran his hand over more markings. “It says here the object must stay in the confines of the stones lest it be found by Deirdre.”

“Does it say how Deirdre would discover it?”

“Nay. Wait.” Logan moved around the pillar and squatted. “It says the object is sacred and must be kept safe from everyone but the Druids.”

Galen blew out a perturbed breath. “How do we convince these Druids we are the only ones who can keep the artifact secure?”

“I doona know that we can.” Logan straightened and continued his perusal of the stones. “Reaghan didna know how to read the Celtic markings.”

“I’m no’ so sure. She never answered me, and there was something in her eyes. I think she can read it. We also have to consider that at least the elders can.”

Logan rubbed the back of his neck and yawned. “Why can Reaghan read it and others cannot?”

“I have no answer.”

“There are four men in this village. Three are halfway in the grave, and the other is barely old enough to pick up a sword. They are prime candidates for an attack by wyrran.”

“You are no’ telling me anything I have no’ already considered. I doona know how long they will welcome us, but I doubt it will be for very much longer. While we’re here, we need to gain as much of their trust as we can.”

Logan’s smile was wide as he faced the village. “I have an idea.”

“What might that be?” He knew that smile of Logan’s. It was full of mischief and meant Logan had a plan that required the use of his well-known charm.

“You doona trust me?”

It was said with such false innocence that Galen rolled his eyes. “I think it would be better if I knew this idea beforehand.”

“The women are starved for male attention. I plan to spend a wee bit of time with them. Mayhap make them laugh and put them at ease so they will give me the information we need.”

“More like starved for children. Need I remind you it is possible for us to get a woman with child? Look at Quinn and Marcail.”

“Aye, I know,” Logan said. “I’ve no desire to have one of the women attached to me. I might flirt, but I’m staying out of their beds.”

At that moment Galen caught sight of auburn curls and creamy skin, eyes of silver mist and curves that made his mouth water.

“I see someone has caught your attention,” Logan said. “Not that I blame you. She’s verra pretty.”

“Don’t you find it more than odd that she doesna realize her magic is strong?”

“Maybe it was no’ hers we felt.” Logan shrugged. “Maybe it was the magic of the ancient Druids.”

Galen shook his head. “Nay. It was hers. I feel the magic of the ancients. It is sturdy, but old. Reaghan’s feels different. Stronger. Steadier. Brighter.”

“Hmm,” Logan said. “Tell me, how long has it been since you’ve allowed yourself a woman?”

Galen pulled his gaze away from Reaghan and looked at Logan. “How is that any of your business?”

“In all the years I have known you, in all the times we have met up, I’ve never seen you with a woman.”

“It’s no’ for lack of wanting. I have my reasons.”

“I gather those reasons have to do with your power.”

Galen knew Logan wouldn’t leave the subject alone until he was satisfied with the answers, though Galen was loath to give those answers. “I have to touch someone to see into their minds.”

“Aye. I ken.”

“What you doona know is that unlike most of the Warriors who must allow their god loose to be able to use their power, mine is constant.”

Logan’s hazel eyes narrowed in a frown. “So that is why you doona willingly touch anyone.”

“That is why.”

“I’m sorry, Galen. I had no idea.”

Galen shrugged away his words. He didn’t want anyone pitying him. He had come to terms with his life as best he could. He was destined to face it alone, even though it grew more and more difficult with every Warrior who found a woman to love.

He knew he was destined to watch others find love and happiness, to hold their lover’s hand, to be able to comfort them without releasing their power. That’s when it ate at him the most.

How he envied them. He didn’t begrudge their contentment, but he longed to have a woman of his own.

“Maybe there is a way around it,” Logan offered.

“I’ve tried, Logan. For two hundred and fifty years I’ve sought anything and everything to stop it. Do you think I like reaching for a lover, even just to kiss her, and seeing into her mind? Do you think I like the grief, the misery, the resentment, or the disdain I see? Do you think I enjoy knowing their deepest fears or their greatest regrets?”

Logan’s answer was a whispered, “Nay.”

Galen turned away from his friend. He shouldn’t have let his emotions get away from him. It wasn’t Logan’s fault. He had just been trying to help, but help wasn’t something Galen would ever receive.

“Galen—”

He held up a hand to stop Logan. “I’m the one who should apologize. Sometimes it gets to be too much.”

Like when he saw a woman who stirred his blood and made him want to take her into his arms and kiss her. To touch her body and learn her curves. To reach for an auburn curl and wrap it around his finger.

He walked away before Logan could say more. He needed time alone, time to study the village more. And get his discontent under control.

*   *   *

Reaghan knew something was wrong by the way Galen held his body, rigid and angry. The regret on Logan’s face was enough to reveal something personal had transpired.

Her curiosity always got the better of her, and she couldn’t help but wonder what had gotten Galen so upset. He seemed the type who was always composed, always in control. The type of man who wouldn’t let his anger get the better of him.

She had spent the majority of the night dreaming of Galen. His cobalt eyes, his long, dark blond hair, and his beautifully muscled body.

It had never occurred to Reaghan that a man could look so good, be so tempting. She had seen her share of men—and women—who traveled by the village on the way to MacIntosh Castle. But none of them could compare to Galen’s rugged perfection.

She decided to follow Galen instead of doing her morning chores. Reaghan had no sooner taken a step than Mairi blocked her path.

“Off somewhere?”

Reaghan wasn’t fooled. The elder knew exactly what she was about, but if Mairi wouldn’t come out and ask then she wouldn’t give the elder the answer she sought. “I thought I would go for a walk.”

“I’ve seen you watching him.”

“Him who?”

Mairi’s brown eyes narrowed, disappointment in every line of her face. “Don’t play coy with me, Reaghan. You know I speak of Galen.”

Reaghan raised her brows in question. “What about him? He’s a man, something we haven’t had in our village in quite some time. I would think you would want every woman of childbearing age to try and catch his eye.”

“It is true I would like to see more children in our village, but not at your expense.”

Reaghan was taken aback by the elder’s words. “Me? What do I have to do with anything?”