Highlands at Dawn Read online

  “I am. I was running. Toward you and Billy. Some pulse knocked me down, I couldn’t hear, there was a ringing in my ears. And I hurt. I struggled to my feet and tried again to get away, far away from whatever it was chasing me. Another hit and I went down again. This time I knew I was bleeding from my nose and it felt like also my ears.”

  Shelly nodded. “You had blood there when we got to you.”

  “She walked out of the smoke. I don’t know… It almost appeared as if she had been formed from it. But that doesn’t make any sense.”

  Her best friend arched a perfectly formed eyebrow. “Like any of this does.”

  “Good point.” She broke off a small bite of the bar and forced herself to eat it. “As I looked at her, all I could think was she wants to kill me and I’m going to die.”

  “Looked that way from where I was, as well.”

  “Thanks.”

  Shelly shrugged. “You know me, calling it like I see it.”

  “How true. I don’t know what she wanted from me and I don’t remember anything she said to me. Just the fear she put me in.”

  “You have every right to be fearful, Mal. Get that damn look off your face.”

  “I don’t understand this, Shel. I can face down an armed man in the hospital. I can work on bodies in less than perfect conditions and it’s okay. But this”—she shuddered—“freaks me the fuck out.”

  “It happens. You’re human.”

  “Great,” she said. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  “I do have a question for you, Mal.”

  She took some more water and waited for her friend to speak.

  “What the hell were you doing out of the vehicle?”

  “That’s a question I’d like to know the answer to as well.” Billy’s voice joined the conversation. “Why’d you leave?”

  Mal glanced in Billy’s direction, watched him rise from the bedroll and swallowed. Even that he made sexy and erotic. His black hair was tousled and she wanted to run her fingers through it.

  “I had to,” she said. “Something told me to get out of there. I wouldn’t have left otherwise.”

  Billy strode to her and kissed her. “You scared me, baby,” he whispered against her lips. “I thought I was going to lose you.” He backed off then grabbed a blanket and returned to wrap it around her shoulders. Then he sat beside her. “We need to figure out what we’re going to do next.”

  Mal leaned into him, eagerly soaking up the strength he offered her. He brushed a kiss along the top of her head.

  “I agree. We won’t be able to stay here forever. Although I don’t think any of them will be coming for a bit.” Shelly tossed Billy some bars as well.

  “I have to get this drive back to our people. See what they can dig up from it.”

  Mal shifted. “Guess I’m going to Oregon after all.”

  “Told you,” he muttered in her ear before he nipped the lobe.

  “Okay, so how do we get there? Won’t they have people looking for us?”

  Mal loved how Shelly assumed she was going.

  “They’ll want to follow us. This place was destroyed and they’ll have to rebuild. We can use this time to our advantage. Get going and hope it takes them a few to regroup. Plus, once we’re back at the vineyard, we’ll have help.”

  Shelly stood. “I’ll book us three seats to the States then.” She left them alone.

  Billy captured her chin and turned her face to his. “Don’t do that again.”

  “It’s not like I wanted it to happen. I didn’t want to leave the truck. I had to get out. The artifact was damn near burning a hole into my side. Everything I knew, all my instincts were telling me to go. I listened.”

  Billy lifted the wishbone from where it hung around her waist, relieved beyond words she’d kept it safe and on her person. “Okay. We’ll figure it out, Mal. Together.” He released it and gathered her close.

  She closed her eyes and allowed herself to continue drawing comfort and strength from him. Later when she felt better, she would stand on her own. Right now, it was nice to have him there.

  Chapter Ten

  “It shot my arm off!” Uma hissed in fury as she slithered around the cavern she occupied with the others.

  Hara yawned and shrugged. “Why are you complaining? It has grown back. What I don’t understand is, why you were there?”

  “I told you… The artifact called to me. I went.”

  He sneered at her. “And came back with a fake. You were deceived, Uma.”

  “And what have you done? Besides using your own child, Harley, one of them, in this mess. She didn’t even succeed. But still she’s done more than you.”

  Hara leaped at her, a roar of anger flying from his throat. His hands were claws as they tore into the flesh at her neck. Uma retaliated instantly. Shifting her shape, she dug her talons into him. They rolled around the cavern, blood flying along with chunks of skin.

  “You two are more childish than ever. Stop this.” The command was followed by a blast of fire that blew them apart.

  “This isn’t your concern, Cheza,” Uma spat.

  “Fine, kill each other. Give Lian what he’s fighting for.” She rose and walked to another part of the huge space where she sat in a large chair.

  Uma showed fangs but backed off. She didn’t understand why Cheza liked being in human form. Her, not at all. The body was too weak for her appreciation—although it did make them so easy to kill.

  She glared at Hara, who shook his large cock at her with a grin.

  “Been there, wasn’t impressed even then. I’m not some stupid human you can confuse.” She turned her back on him, anger for him coursing through her. They had only joined forces for one reason. She didn’t have to like him. Never would. But right now, she had to find a way to keep from killing him. That was best done if she wasn’t near him. With a final glare around the room, Uma took herself away, back to her cave. Her realm until the Keeper of the Stars fell. She stared at the fake artifact she’d been given. Oh, he’d pay for making her appear foolish before the others. Billy Kwan would pay. Of that, she would make sure.

  * * * *

  The airline attendant gave him a smile, along with his drink. “Thank you,” he said. He took Mal’s as well and set it on her tray. The woman had her head buried in her tablet. Across the aisle, he checked on Shelly, who now slept. Once again, she appeared to be a sweet woman—no trace of the black-streak painted warrior who’d strapped on weapons to help him.

  “I hear you’re finally coming home.”

  “I am. Will you be there, Cale?”

  “Of course. We have rooms set up for you and your woman.”

  “We’ll be in the same room. I’m married. But I will need the other room for her friend, who is accompanying us.”

  “Married? You actually married her?”

  “I did.”

  “So much for just heading to Scotland to find out what Uma’s up to, I see.”

  “It was the thing to do.”

  “If you say so, brother. Now, what’s this about another coming with you?”

  “Mal’s best friend. Shelly is her name. She has fought with me and knows about all of this going on.”

  “You told her?”

  “Mal did. She has taken it well, considering.”

  “Considering what?”

  “That she’s seen demons, killed members of The New Order, and has blown an arm off Uma. Not going to put her in that bitch’s good graces.”

  “Maybe not hers, but definitely mine. Hell, you think she may be mate for Tiarnán?”

  “I don’t know. Haven’t thought about it. She’s a warrior for sure though. You’ll like her.”

  “Can’t wait to meet her. I’ll let them know about her arrival so there aren’t any surprises for her when she gets here, and we’ll fix your room for your wife as well. See you soon, brother.”

  “And you.”

  “Do you really think it wise to communicate with them on a pla
ne? I mean, you don’t exactly hide the mist shit coming from your shoulders.” Mal sipped her Coke. “Some people may get suspicious.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He leaned close to her. “Wanna join the mile high club?”

  “What makes you think I’m not already a member?” Her response was glib.

  Billy grumbled beneath his breath. He hated the thought of her with another, even though he knew she had a past. So did he.

  “Join it with me?”

  “Not exactly sanitary to be in there.”

  “I’m guessing this is a no, then?” He made sure to sound disappointed.

  “You scream too loud, then everyone would know what we were doing.” She put down her drink and picked up her tablet again.

  He leaned close and whispered, “I think you’re forgetting who does the screaming, Mal. I’ll make sure to remind you of that when we get to the vineyard.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  “More like a guarantee.”

  Her kiss surprised him. “Can’t wait. Now, go do something and let me do more research.”

  His interest was immediately piqued. “Research?”

  “Yes, I’m trying to learn as much as I can about The New Order.”

  He peeked at her screen. “What are you finding?”

  “They’re damn secretive. But I have found a few things which I believe are linked to them. I noticed on the men from the forest and the one we”—her voice dropped—“kidnapped, a certain mark.”

  He angled more toward her. “Mark?”

  “Yes, this one.” She gestured to the screen and he exhaled sharply.

  “That’s the mark of The New Order.” He searched his memory banks. “I don’t recall seeing that on them.”

  “I’m a doctor, Billy. I look carefully at things and try to assess any damage. They weren’t in noticeable places. But all of them had them. So then I put this symbol into search along with the words and I’ve come up with a few articles and a site. I’m not on the site yet because my computer doesn’t have that good of virus protection, so I’m leery.”

  “Hold off on that and do it from our system. I’ll have Edmond with you. He has our system well protected.”

  “I’m not all that good with computers but I do use them and can figure things out.”

  He draped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m sure you’re better than you’re trying to give yourself credit for. We have a long flight. Why don’t you get some rest?”

  She covered his hand with hers and squeezed. “I’m okay, Billy. I promise.”

  “You still have bruises and abrasions.”

  “I know. And they will heal. You know this.”

  He blew out a frustrated breath. “I was never so—”

  “Let it go, Billy. Please.”

  He took her hand and entwined their fingers before pressing light kisses along the knuckles.

  “I’m trying.” And he was. It wasn’t working well, but he was trying.

  “There’s something else.”

  The tone she used grabbed his attention immediately. “What’s that?”

  Mal leaned forward and adjusted the chain belt she wore so he could see the pendant. “This.”

  Billy stared at it, amazed by the change. The star was brilliant in the middle of the stone. “When did this happen?”

  “I noticed it when I was hiding in the truck. I’d always thought this was a black stone. But this, according to what I pulled up on my phone, is a star sapphire.”

  “I don’t know what to tell you.” He was baffled. “Cale?”

  “Yeah? Everything okay?”

  “I suppose so. Have you noticed any difference in the artifact you’ve found?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Hers has changed. The obscure stone now shows the signs of being a star sapphire.”

  “The one Taylor came with has changed as well. It went to pure gold and more symbols have been exposed that we’d not previously seen. Currently as it sits in a safe, there are rainbow sparks which are traveling along it.”

  “So they do change. Any discovery as to why this happens?”

  “We’ve come up blank with that. Maybe once you return, we will find something.”

  He ended the conversation and stared back at the item in his hand. “According to Cale, Taylor’s has changed as well.”

  “Who’s Taylor?” She paused in staring at her tablet to look at him.

  “Haven’t I mentioned her? She’s Cale’s mate.”

  “No, you haven’t. Are they also married?”

  “No.”

  She muttered something under her breath and went back to her screen. Billy released the wishbone and leaned back in his seat. Things were escalating and he wasn’t sure he was ready for it. Wasn’t sure any of them were ready.

  Not that he didn’t trust his fellow Guardians, but sometimes it was hard to believe. There were just days he wondered how they were going to win when they were fighting creatures who’d been around longer than Lian. And according to Lian, he’d been around since the beginning of the world.

  “Sleep, Billy,” Mal said. “You look exhausted.”

  “What about you?”

  She looked at him and moved her tablet. “I’ve got some reading to do.”

  He covered up with the blanket and yawned. “I’d have some energy if you changed your mind about that mile high club.”

  Her laughter warmed him. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now, get some sleep.”

  Billy watched her as she began fully studying the information in front of her. It was that image that escorted him to the land of slumber.

  * * * *

  Mal shared a look with Shelly as the car they rode in slowed to a halt. There was a group of people standing there, looking at the vehicle as if they could see through the tinting on the windows to spy inside. Shelly was calm—typical. Personally, Mal wasn’t feeling that way.

  This was his family. His friends. Fellow Guardians. She stared though the glass at them all. A couple stood together, the man reminding her of a fit, tanned surfer and the black woman had short hair with red streaks in it. His arm was around her in a manner of lovers. It was obvious how they felt about one another, even without looks between them. It was in the way they touched.

  Behind those two stood an older Asian gentleman. Lian, she assumed. Then again, maybe not, for he doesn’t look all that old when I think about how long Billy said he’d been around. Beside him was a tall, powerful looking black man.

  And as they opened the door to exit, another man strode into view. Blue jeans, white shirt and cowboy boots. Coiled power rippled from him and her heart pounded hard. She hesitated in leaving the car. Billy turned back and smiled encouragingly at her.

  Shelly stepped from the vehicle and stood on her other side. Billy went forward and met the surfer for a hug. They spoke quietly amongst themselves before he hugged the woman who’d been with him. Then all three focused on her and Shelly.

  “Cale, Taylor.” Billy looked back at the others. “Lian, Edmond. Tiarnán. This is my wife, Malmuirie Gordon-Kwan. Mal, my family. And that is Shelly. Also family.”

  Billy winked at her and she was grateful he’d included Shelly as family.

  “Please, call me Mal,” she said.

  Taylor met her with a hug. “It’s so good to have another woman around. The Guardians aren’t always around. And as you can see, there’re a lot of men. Welcome to Tennesol Winery.”

  Cale stepped forward next. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and smiled at her. “Good to finally make your acquaintance, Mal. I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”

  “As have I about you.”

  “I’m Edmond. Resident computer geek.” He took her hands and kissed the back of them. “Lovely to meet Billy’s wife.”

  She blushed. “Thank you.”

  Lian stepped forward next and she glanced at the cane he had in one hand. It was beautiful. The carved markings down the staff had been created wit
h love. She could see that from the incredible detail.

  He bowed at the waist and looked at her with a mixture of joy and sadness in his gaze. “My sincerest pleasure.”

  His voice… It carried such power. She blinked a few times before she realized she was staring at him like an idiot. “I’m honored to finally meet the man Billy has always spoken of in such high regard.”

  Okay, so she and Billy hadn’t been together that long, but there had never been any denying the reverence she heard in his tone when he mentioned this man.

  He smiled and stepped back. His action left her with one more to meet. Black hair hung past his shoulders a bit and his hazel eyes were hard. He shared a handshake with Billy then turned that gaze on her. She swallowed and tried to put herself in the hospital, where she had her confidence in spades.

  “Nice to meet you, Malmuirie.” He stuck out his hand.

  His dwarfed hers as she accepted his offer. She tried not to shake in her boots but damn, he was intimidating. “And you, Tiarnán.” An Irish name. She’d noticed he’d had no problem with the accents on hers.

  The handshake was brief and he stepped back the moment it was over. His greeting to Shelly was just as short. He walked away after that, never once looking back.

  Billy gave her a slight grin. “That’s his way. Don’t take offense.”

  Sure. Easy for you to say. “Okay.”

  He captured her hand and all of them headed inside. She gazed around in awe at the opulence. Holy shit. What did I just walk into?

  Beside her, Shelly whistled low. “Damn, this is some nice shit.”

  “Shelly.”

  “What? It is.”

  Lian glanced at them all. “Billy, take them to their rooms. We will have a celebration tonight in honor of your marriage.” He walked off, speaking to Edmond.

  “I’ll make sure your luggage is sent up,” Cale offered. “Billy, I’ll see you later.”

  Cale and Taylor strode back outside.

  “This way,” Billy said. He led them up the marble stairs to the next floor where he stopped and opened a door. “Shelly, this is your room.”

  Mal peered in. Lovely décor and space. It was open, with a large glass door leading to a balcony. The room was done in shades of blue.