Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

“You’ll never be in any danger with me. And you can telepath Silas in a heartbeat if you have to.”


“Did you not hear me say big trouble?” She sighed and rubbed her neck. “You’ve gotta tell me. What’s really bugging you? I’ve never seen you this anxious.”

“I don’t know.” Those with the hunter skill had to hunt their prey, whether we knew who they were or not. The urge ate at us until we did. “All I can say is my hunter instincts are blaring at me like never before. Although this time it’s different. I want to hunt, but not hurt.”

“Well, that’s a bonus.” She knocked her shoulder against mine. “It would’ve helped if you’d said that in the beginning. How long has this blaring thing been going on?”

“Five days, but my senses are narrowing in on one. That’s why I decided to bring you.”

“So I’m like your wing-woman?”

“Yep, I need you to keep me sane.”

“Ha. Give me the easy job why don’t you.” She tweaked my chin. “Seriously, what happens next? You intend to hunt then what?”

I rolled the cuffs of my loose black shirt to the elbow, exposing the sheathed daggers at each wrist, weapons I was never without. The pointy tips sparkled under a sliver of sunlight trickling through. Hunt and fight. The desire always fired my blood, but today it was hunt and… Hmm, yeah hunt and something else. “I’m not sure. Be prepared for anything.”

“Anything isn’t good. You can hunt, but not hurt. Wing-woman’s orders.” Hope plunked her tan Stetson on her head. “Unless we can ditch this joint? Wing-woman really wants to do that.”

“You wanna get back to the roundup?”

“I’d rather roundup cattle than have Silas find out I was here.”

“Nope, the outback can wait.” Wincrest Station in the Australian outback was King Donaldo Wincrest’s off-world holding, and where I spent my time when not in Dralion. Goldie and Hope Wincrest ran the place.

“You are one stubborn hunter, Lieska. I wish I could ’port. It’d make my life a lot—”

Chains cranked, and the solid paneled iron gates at the entrance rolled open. This was what I’d been waiting for. Finally I’d be able to see inside the three-story high open-aired arena. It was a beauty with its ancient circular architecture.

“Wow. Do you see that?” Hope whispered.

I shoved the brush farther aside, and we both poked our noses in. The protectors’ arena was close in size to our fighting force’s in Dralion. Their blocked seats were layered back and up and able to hold thousands of spectators. Groups of protectors trained on the central sandy floor with swords and spears and axes, with likely more beyond. Some of the men wore red tunics with leather-flapped skirts, and they lunged and parried, as accurate with their brutally sharp weapons as any warrior would be. The women trained in their battle leathers. So close. This was the chance I’d been waiting for. It had definitely been right to bring Hope. Hopefully she’d be able to help me keep a level head.

“Let’s go.” I gripped Hope’s hand and ’ported us. Everything darkened as I made the short jump through space.

Hope wobbled as we arrived near the wall. “Lieska, what the heck are you doing?”

“You saw the gate open. It’s an invitation I can’t turn down.” I plucked the sides of my hip-hugging black leather pants. “Look at us. I’m dressed no differently to any of the protector women, and you’re completely unassuming in jeans and a t-shirt. Except for this. The Stetson has to go. It screams Earth.” I nabbed it and tossed it behind a flax bush growing beside the wall. “Now no one’s going to suspect we’re from Dralion unless we announce it. We’ll be normal people, not catching a second glance.”

“Geez, I hate how my own words come back to bite me.” She shook her head. “Just make sure you don’t announce our arrival your way. No throwing any daggers at the protectors, because that would be announcing it, in case you weren’t aware.”

“I’m aware, and I’ll try and keep them sheathed, maybe.” I couldn’t stop from rubbing my hands together. Finally I’d have a chance to sort this problem. The hunt was on. I strode in and the breeze lifted my long brown locks and swept strands across my face. Two men battled close by and one of the men’s blade’s struck flesh and bone. Blood spurted in a wide arc. My blood thrummed to join the fight. Oh yeah. I wish I’d been the one to inflict that wound. The injured man grasped his arm, holding the edges closed. His blood ceased running and his skin began to knit together. A fast-healer. Damn. What a shame.

“Ew.” Hope puffed as she caught up. “Are your senses still on fire?”