Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2)(64)
Author: Donna Grant

 

The Ancient made a sound. “She’s been targeted by someone.”

 

“I know. I want to intervene, to take Bronwyn’s side. She’ll be a valuable asset.”

 

“And you want our permission?”

 

Kerry swallowed. “Others on Skye are disrupting your plans. Are they our allies or enemies?”

 

“You speak of the seer from Edinburgh, and the male from Inverness.”

 

“Aye.”

 

The Ancients went silent. It stretched so long that Kerry thought they had left. She was about to end the session when the voice rang out.

 

“Do what you will with the male. You’d best hurry, though. Their battle will commence soon.”

 

With that, a gust of wind extinguished the candles. Kerry opened her eyes. The Ancients hadn’t stated whether George and Sydney were enemies, but they hadn’t said the two weren’t, either. Yet she had permission to take a stand against Sydney.

 

Kerry uncrossed her legs and moved onto her hands and knees. She crawled to a nearby chair and used it to get to her feet. When she straightened, she wore a smile because she knew exactly what she would do to Sydney. By helping Bronwyn, Kerry would gain an ally.

 

She hadn’t known about Bronwyn’s use of blood magic, but that didn’t change her mind about the young Druid. If anything, it confirmed what she’d known about the Stewart family. The Ancients had the power to do whatever they wanted. They could save her life if they deemed Bronwyn acceptable to the cause.

 

Kerry walked to the door and put on her coat. She buttoned it before wrapping the scarf around her neck and tugging the beanie onto her head. Last were her gloves. Then she was out the door to her car.

 

The battle brewing between Sydney and Bronwyn was about to boil over, and Kerry would have a front-row seat.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

 

 

 

 

 

Bronwyn sent the text. She hated contacting Sydney in any way, but this could end it all. Just as she expected, he replied promptly. He’d tried to suggest a different location, but she refused. She told him if he wanted Beth, he had to meet her on the estate. Sydney caved after that. Everything was set.

 

Just as everyone knew it was a trap.

 

She hoped they could outwit Sydney. He always thought he was the smartest person around. It was time for his particular kind of malice to be over. Sydney’s death might not come with the dawn, but she hoped he was beaten soundly enough for him to change his ways. It was a futile hope, but one she clung to—because she didn’t want any of them to take his life.

 

In the short time she’d been around the Knights, she’d seen their tight bond and the love they shared. They were a family. One that called each other on their bullshit but loved unconditionally. They were good people who did great deeds.

 

She wanted this with Sydney to end. She was ready for it. Past ready, actually. Or so she thought. As the time drew near to facing off against the man who had murdered her father, Bronwyn’s nervousness grew. She remembered the hate that had consumed her when she opened the door and saw Sydney standing there. She wasn’t sure what she would’ve done if she hadn’t been taken from the house. The darkness had surged inside her, growing her anger until it was all she saw. If she gave in to the darkness being a drough gave her, if she allowed the bitterness and contempt to consume her, she would become someone else—someone Elias wouldn’t want.

 

In the hours since the planning of the battle in the library, everyone had separated. Each of the Knights readied for that evening, including Elias. Bronwyn used the time to complete her first cover design. As she stared at the project, she hoped she got the chance to create many more. It was hands down the most difficult thing she had ever done, but at the same time, it was the most exciting, the most exhilarating. And the thought that she might see it on the shelves in a bookstore was beyond thrilling.

 

If she lived through the night.

 

Bronwyn tried not to think about that. She sent off the cover to the author and closed the laptop. Her nerves were stretched taut. She stood and looked around the parlor, recalling a time when the room had been alive with people and merriment, the lights glittering during a party, or the walls decked out for the Christmas season.

 

Her house. Her home.

 

There was a good chance she wouldn’t walk back through the door once she left. She headed to the nearest wall and put her hand on it. Her magic passed from her palm into the wood, to the very foundation of the manor.

 

She gazed lovingly at the walls. “You’ve sheltered me against the elements, the outside world, and those who would do me harm. You watched over me like a silent sentry, offering comfort in my darkest days. You deserve better than what I’ve done to you. If I don’t make it out of this battle, grant Elias and the Knights refuge, guarding them as you have me all these years. One day soon, there will be laughter and joy filling you again. You’ve served my family for generations as a grand manor and a home. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

 

There was no answer, at least not in words. The house was relaxed, welcoming. It had heard her. Bronwyn let her hand slide down the wall to her side. She then walked out of the parlor and ascended the stairs to the second floor. As she made her way down the hall to Beth’s room, she was surprised to find Finn there. He glanced at her as she approached, but he said nothing as he continued staring at the closed door.

 

“You have a skill I didn’t know was possible,” he said without looking at her.

 

“I doubt I’m the only one who can open a portal between dimensions. If I’d had a choice, I’d much rather communicate with fire or wind. This is…not beneficial.”

 

“Your gift is fekking terrifying.”

 

She turned her head to him and studied him as regret filled her. “You’re frightened of me.”

 

“Nay.” He released a breath and looked at her. “I’m scared of what’s on the other side.”

 

“I don’t understand.”

 

“When we were in that place…” he began.

 

“I call it the In-between.”

 

“The In-between. Aye.” Finn glanced at the closed door again. “At first, we were focused on listening to you and Frasier. That’s when I saw it.”

 

Her brows snapped together at his words. “Saw what?”

 

“Movement. Like a shadow out of the corner of my eye. Then I searched for it. And found it. There was no shape that I could make out, but it was huge. Tall, wide. Just…big. It was on the other side, the other dimension.”