Shoulder the Skye (Skye Druids #2)(76)
Author: Donna Grant
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Ice-cold dread filled Bronwyn’s veins as she raced up the stairs as fast as her legs would carry her. The chilling voice that had whispered in her ear, “It’s coming!” had jarred her awake. She’d been in the most amazing dream that’d begun with her parents before shifting to glimpses of life with Elias—one that even included children. She hadn’t wanted to wake. Had actively fought against it because she knew what reality awaited her.
The house that had kept her safe and accepted her blood magic had gone above and beyond to warn her of the impending disaster. Bronwyn didn’t have time to convince everyone to leave, and she knew Elias wouldn’t go no matter what. She was grateful for his support, but she also feared what could happen to him and the others.
She tripped on a stair. Before she fell, strong hands grabbed her.
“I’ve got you,” Elias said.
She looked at him. There was no panic in his eyes. Instead, he showed her a calm, unruffled composure that bolstered her courage. Bronwyn squeezed his hand before continuing to the room.
They halted before the door, chests heaving from the exertion. Bronwyn concentrated on the entrance as the others filled the hallway. Everything looked normal, but she knew it wasn’t. She walked to the door and tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. She then placed her hand on it before snatching it away quickly at the emotion she sensed.
“The house is scared,” she said.
Bronwyn licked her lips and prepared herself as she returned her hand to the wood. She closed her eyes and soothed her racing heart. Then she allowed warm feelings of love and gratitude to move from her into the house. Several long moments passed before the house gave a slight shudder and settled more peacefully. The distress was still there, but it wasn’t as severe.
“I’ll fix this,” Bronwyn promised the manor.
Just as she was about to pull her hand away, images of the windows shattering and how the slivers had contained the mist flashed in her head. The house was showing her how it had protected her and her friends.
Tears prickled her eyes. “You’ve always protected me. Let me do that for you now.”
When Bronwyn opened her eyes, she took a deep breath and let her hand skim down the wood to the handle. She gave the house another moment, and then she turned the knob and opened the door. This time, it swung open easily.
She had made so many mistakes during her grief and rage, things she would never have done otherwise. But that was what happened when a person sank into such despair. It didn’t excuse her actions, though. Payment would come in the form of her death.
But that wouldn’t happen today.
Bronwyn extended her arm before her, palm out, and said, “Nochd, reveal.”
Her heart thudded as she watched the swirls of air begin thickening to become visible before moving as the vortex opened. Her eyes were locked on the maelstrom. It was so beautiful, and she had mistakenly believed that she had found a safe place for her cousin—a family member she had kidnapped. Someone she had made sure escaped the world when she hadn’t given her mother the same opportunity. It didn’t matter the reasons Bronwyn had helped Beth. It had been wrong on every level.
As the gap widened, Elias came up beside her and took her free hand. She linked her fingers with his. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how much she needed him and his strength. Just knowing he was there gave her the courage to face whatever was to come.
Before the breach filled the doorway, Bronwyn released Elias’s hand and stepped over to the other side. She rushed to Beth and tried to lift her. Elias gently moved her aside and gathered her cousin in his arms. Bronwyn began turning when she saw the shadow. She did a double-take, her heart in her throat. It was enormous. She couldn’t make out the shape, but she didn’t need to. She knew whatever it was meant them harm.
It pressed against the thin veil that separated them, stretching it. She saw the outline of large talons as it tried to break through.
“Bronwyn!” Elias shouted.
She ran back through the opening. Bronwyn quickly lifted her hand and bellowed, “Falach, conceal!”
The vortex began to close. Her eyes were locked on the shadow that fought to get through its side to them. She didn’t take her eyes off it until the fissure was finally closed. Then she leaned against the wall and rested her forehead on it in relief. A smile pulled at her lips when she felt the house return to its happy state.
Bronwyn straightened and turned toward the others. Elias met her gaze, wearing a smile of his own. They had done it.
“I have so many questions,” Rhona said.
Sabryn chuckled. “I did, too.”
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” Balladyn said, his forehead creased in a frown as he stared into the room. “I didn’t know anything like that was possible.”
Carlyle cleared his throat. “What about Sleeping Beauty here?”
As if on cue, Beth moaned.
Bronwyn went into the bedroom and yanked the sheet covering the bed. “Place her here. She’ll wake in a bit.”
Elias gently laid Beth on the mattress and stepped away. Within moments, she put a hand to her head as her eyelashes fluttered open. She looked around groggily until her eyes landed on Bronwyn.
“Hey,” Bronwyn said with a smile.
Beth sat up and glared coldly. “What did you do? Why am I here instead of Inverness?”
“I can explain,” Bronwyn began.
“You damn well better,” Beth stated as she swung her legs over the bed.
Elias said, “Give Bronwyn time to talk.”
“Who the hell are you?” Beth demanded. She shook her head and threw out her arms in defeat. “You know what? I don’t even care. I’m going back to Sydney.”
“You can go back to Inverness,” Rhona said. “Going back to Sydney will be another matter.”
Beth’s head snapped to the doorway where Rhona stood before she made her way to the Druid leader and pointed a finger at Bronwyn. “Do you know what she did? She hit me over the head in Inverness and brought me here. That’s kidnapping.”
“It is,” Rhona said with a nod.
Beth made a sound. “What are you going to do about it?”