“I’m sure you can ferret out the truth.”
“Try and stop me.” She would never give up the desire to learn the complete truth. “I’ve been waiting three years for him, and now I’ve finally found him, I dinnae intend on letting him go, or allow him to let me go. Only he needs to learn first just how very deep the bond can run, that no one, no’ even a man in denial can truly release the one who holds the other half of his soul. Hopefully he’ll come to that realization sooner rather than later.”
A crash sounded then the wench’s door rattled. Someone thumped heavily against it, again and again. Heavy grunts echoed and with each one, the door shook harder.
“At every inn or village we sail to, Gavin takes one lass after another.” Ethan blew out a long breath. “I swear these isles will be riddled with his red-headed ilk afore too long.”
A squeal and a lusty groan. The rattling ceased.
“It appears they’re done.” She squeezed his arm. “We need a solid plan.”
“As soon as Gavin comes out, you compel him. We need to get him to Dunscaith Castle where his uncle can deal with him. His attacks against Duncan and the innocent under his command need to halt, although you cannae travel with us back to the MacDonald’s stronghold. If you do, it’ll raise suspicion amongst his men. Gavin’s made his intentions clear. He wishes to leave here once the storm breaks and sail directly to Duncan’s land and cause even more mayhem than he currently has. Which means if there’s a change in plans, he and his men will presume you had something to do with it.”
“Agreed. I can compel him now, then follow at an unnoticeable distance and meet you at Dunscaith.” Ethan’s plan ran right in line with her own thoughts.
“I give you my word I’ll get him there.”
“I know you shall.”
The door swung open and Gavin emerged and closed the door behind himself. He righted the ties of his brown breeches and shoved the tails of his black tunic in, swung his cloak over his shoulders and tugged the hood back into place.
She stepped out from within the nook, cleared her throat and hoped like hell she could bring her compelling voice forth. “Gavin MacDonald, here me well. You’ll leave this inn this night and seek shelter elsewhere from the storm and once all has cleared, you’ll continue on to Dunscaith Castle. There you shall account to your chief for your devious actions, both against Duncan MacKenzie and the innocent villagers on Raasay. I will be there to ensure you do. The Chief of MacDonald shall learn of all your misdeeds and no more shall you strike out against the innocent.” Her voice cracked on the last word, but his eyes still glazed over. “Am I understood?”
“Aye, seek shelter elsewhere until the storm clears, then continue on to Dunscaith. Account for my actions.”
“That likely willnae be enough,” she whispered to Ethan, “but ’twill have to do for now.”
“You can compel him further once we reach Dunscaith.” Ethan kissed the top of her head. “We’ll halt his devious actions as best as we can.”
“Be careful.”
“You too.” He gripped Gavin’s shoulder and strode with him down the passageway.
The front door banged shut after them and she hurried to the side door Ethan had pointed out earlier and slipped outside. Thunder rumbled and more rain lashed down.
Quickly, before she got too wet, she snuck around to the front and ducked under the protection of the eaves. At the curve of the beach, Ethan, Gavin and his men heaved their vessel into the water, rowed out of the bay then raised their sail. She waited until their boat disappeared into the dark then released a long sigh.
Ethan once again sailed away from her, but ’twas more than necessary this time. He’d been her shadow since her childhood, her closest confidant through the years following Papa’s death, and now a man fully grown and prepared to do all he could to prevent blood from being shed. Such pride filled her, would fill Mama as well if she were here. Papa too would have been so proud to see his son becoming the warrior he’d always hoped he would be.
The wind whistled through, swept her skirts against her legs, the storm wild and only about to grow wilder. Lightning sizzled across the skies and something white flashed near the stables.
“You shouldnae be outside in this weather.” A soft voice wisped all about her then the flash of white materialized. Cherub appeared out of the misty dark and took her full form, her white fur hooded cloak flapping back from her shoulders over top of her vivid red gown, her blond hair whipping about.