Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2)(62)
Author: Donna Grant

 

Sabryn shifted sideways to look at Carlyle. “If we want to take care of Sydney quickly, then someone needs to alert him.”

 

“I’ll do it,” Bronwyn said. Before Elias could reply, she looked at him and added, “And I don’t have to leave the manor to do it. I’ll text him.”

 

Finn flipped his hand toward Bronwyn. “See? Sane.”

 

“How do you know he’ll come?” Elias asked, ignoring Finn.

 

Bronwyn glanced up at the ceiling. “He wants to know about Beth. I’ll consent to give him that information if he agrees to leave me alone.”

 

“He might demand to know it over text,” Sabryn said.

 

Finn shrugged one shoulder. “That’s easy to work around. Bronwyn can tell him he needs to come here.”

 

“He’ll know it’s a trap,” Carlyle pointed out.

 

Elias rubbed his hands over his face. “It doesna matter what we do, he’ll know it’s a ruse.”

 

“Unless I agree to meet him somewhere,” Bronwyn said.

 

Elias jerked his head up. “Nay. The house protects you.”

 

“I told you from the beginning that I was prepared to end this however I could. I thought I’d be doing it alone, but I have help.” She cut her eyes to Carlyle. “Even if I was coerced.”

 

Carlyle winked at her. “You’ll thank me later.”

 

“Besides,” Bronwyn continued, “I won’t allow Sydney inside the manor. I was always going to have to leave the safety of my home.”

 

Finn crossed his arms over his chest. “Where’s the best place for a battle on the estate? Somewhere we could see them coming but would also hide us.”

 

“I know just the place. It’s about five miles out,” Bronwyn said.

 

Sabryn slapped her hands on her legs. “All right. Then we need to talk about how we’re going to approach this. Bronwyn, you’ll need to be visible so Sydney can see you.”

 

“I’ll be with her,” Elias said. “He knows I’m here. If I’m no’ with Bronwyn, he’ll suspect something.”

 

He met Bronwyn’s gaze. She nodded, her lips softening.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

 

 

 

 

 

Kirsi stood outside at one of Skye’s various scenic overlooks, gazing out at the sea, her thoughts a jumbled mix of indecision and uncertainty. There was no denying the voice she’d heard—or its instructions. She had no idea who the woman was, why she had contacted Kirsi, or if she could even be trusted. No matter how Kirsi looked at it, she didn’t have a clear idea of what she was supposed to do. But the one thing that had been unmistakable in all of it was the warning and distress in the woman’s voice, in each syllable of every word.

 

That was what kept running through Kirsi’s mind.

 

She and her parents had gone over the dream for hours. She believed they would be able to help her unravel the tangle of emotions and theories. Instead, they’d piled more on her to consider. Like it might not have been a dream at all. Hence, why she stood out in the misty weather. As if the answer would spring up from the water.

 

Kirsi turned on her heel and made her way to her car. She climbed inside and started the engine. The blast of warm air thawed her chilled face. She rubbed her hands together in an effort to get her blood flowing. Then she put the vehicle into reverse and pulled onto the road. There was one person she needed to speak with.

 

It didn’t take too long to reach the cottage. Kirsi had never ventured to Rhona’s house on her own before. Even though Rhona should be aware of what had happened to her, Kirsi hesitated. The five deputies, each with a section of Skye, were there so the people went to them instead of Rhona. Kirsi had considered going to Violet first. She adored the older Druid, but her gut kept urging her to see Rhona.

 

“It’s now or never,” Kirsi told herself as she climbed out of her car.

 

Large drops of rain pelted her before she reached the small porch. Kirsi drew in a deep, steadying breath and knocked. She steeled herself, waiting for the door to open, but the seconds lengthened with no response.

 

Kirsi’s shoulders sagged. Rhona wasn’t home. She’d have to come back. She retraced her steps to her vehicle and had just opened the door when she heard her name. Kirsi’s head swung back to the cottage to see Rhona standing in the doorway.

 

“Come in,” Rhona beckoned with a welcoming smile.

 

Kirsi glanced at the sky and the angry gray clouds churning above her before dashing back to the porch. “I’m sorry to bother you, but there’s something you need to know.”

 

“Then I’ll make us some tea.”

 

 

 

 

 

Rhona closed the door behind Kirsi and watched her for a moment. Kirsi was only a handful of years younger, but Rhona didn’t know her that well. The woman had always been quiet and reserved. She was also extremely well-liked on the isle.

 

Rhona motioned for Kirsi to follow her to the kitchen. There, she filled a kettle with water and set it on a lit burner of the stove. Then, she turned to face the Druid. It was hard to miss Kirsi’s nervousness. Rhona smiled, hoping to ease her. “Sit, please.”

 

“Thanks.” Kirsi removed her coat and hung it on the back of the chair before lowering herself.

 

Rhona wanted to urge the Druid to get to things, but she kept silent. Kirsi would talk when she was ready. Besides, the morning had been chaotic. Balladyn was off on Reaper business, and some Druids had gone to her deputies with more than normal concerns. Yet all of that fell away as she stared at Kirsi’s pinched lips and the panic in her pale green eyes.

 

“I,” Kirsi began, only to pause and clear her throat. “I know I should’ve gone to Violet first.”

 

“You’re here now. Tell me,” Rhona urged patiently.

 

Kirsi placed her hands on the table and met Rhona’s gaze. “Someone spoke to me. Through a dream. Well, my parents don’t think it was a dream, but I don’t know what else to call it.”

 

Druids could do all sorts of amazing things. Rhona didn’t know of anyone on Skye who had the ability, but that wasn’t to say they hadn’t kept it a secret. Or it could be someone elsewhere in the world. She prepared herself in case this was another oddity to put with the other unusual and worrying things. “What did they say?”