Part 8 (2/2)
Dirt?
Where was she?
Memories flooded her, of running for her life after being branded a witch, of finding herself before the stone circle, then of helping save a vampire's life, of his unexpected tenderness, and of how he'd held her in his arms and pressed a kiss upon her brow as she'd fallen asleep.
She opened her eyes. Blackness engulfed her. Heart pounding, Rowan stumbled to her feet. ”Aedan?”
From deep within the forest a wolf howled, the lonely sound macabre.
”Aedan, are you here?”
A gust, rich with the scent of the night, tumbled past.
On cautious feet she crept to the entry. She searched the midnight sky, thick with stars against the moonless night. Though he'd taken a few drops of her blood, hunger must have driven him to feed.
She listened, thankful the forest did not ring with the angry shouts of men in search of her. No doubt they were scouring the woods. Should she use the blanket of night to put more distance between them, head south where she could begin a new life? Or, should she stay and trust Aedan to keep his word to protect her?
Tingles of sensation edged up her skin.
Uneasy, she scanned the distant line of trees, found her gaze drawn to the stone circle, its st.u.r.dy columns black against the star-washed night. As she stared, a pulse filled the air, slow, steady, growing stronger. The need to move toward the ancient circle filled her.
Confused, she took a step forward.
Mist swirled around her; then fully dressed, Aedan stood before her.
Rowan jumped back. ”How did you do that?” She held up her hand. ”Nay, I do not want to know.”
Black eyes held hers, their intensity stealing her breath. With a curse he caught her wrist, his hold gentle, then turned her away from the circle and led her toward the cave.
”Aedan, what is wrong?”
At the nervousness within her voice, Aedan relaxed his stance. She was perplexed; how could she not be? He was as confused. ”The stone circle drew you, did it not?”
”Aye.” A blush colored her cheeks. ”Though it sounds foolish.”
”Far from foolish,” he replied. ”To humans a stone circle is a place of power, a place for ceremony, but for vampires 'tis fatal.” He took her hand, needing to feel the warmth of her skin against his own. ”If a vampire is caught within, the stones draw his strength, and over time we become unable to move.”
”And with the morn, you would be burned to death. Oh G.o.d.” A s.h.i.+ver wove through her, and he folded her within his arms, their bond growing stronger with each pa.s.sing moment.
Worry-filled turquoise eyes met his. ”Aedan, why would I be drawn into the circle?”
He frowned. ”Mayhap it sensed our bond.” But, doubts lingered.
”Mayhap.” She exhaled a ragged breath. ”Do you have any idea who tried to kill you?”
He shook off his disturbing thoughts. ”Nay, but I will find my enemy.” He scanned the night-blackened stones, the s.h.i.+ver of starlight glinting off each. Majestic. Powerful. ”Whoever dared such a traitorous act will return to ensure I am dead.”
”What will you do then?”
Aedan remained silent. Soon he must explain he was laird of the Highland Coven, and that he could not allow anyone near him he could not trust. But he did not want to trouble her when she already had so much to worry about.
And what of her being his mate? When would the time come when he must share such critical information?
A stick cracked nearby.
Hands strong and gentle lifted Rowan. The earth blurred, and she found herself pressed within the shadows inside the entry of the cave.
”Stay!” Aedan whispered. With a swirl of mist, he vanished.
Heart pounding, she stared into the shadows of the night.
A wolf howled, closer this time.
p.r.i.c.kles slid up her flesh. Someone was watching her. Pulse racing, she scanned the looming blackness, the air growing cooler with each breath.
Mist engulfed her. ”You are safe.”
On a half scream, Rowan turned. The swirl of white cleared, and Aedan again stood before her, his body taut, his gaze searching the forest beyond. After a final scan, his eyes met hers.
Would she ever grow used to his appearing out of nowhere? ”What did you find?” Nerves tangled her voice.
”Naught. Neither did I pick up any unusual scent. Most likely, a roebuck or another animal of the night pa.s.sed nearby.”
She should agree, a.s.sure herself all was well, but ...
”What is it?”
At the edge in his voice, she searched the night-blackened land. ”I am unsure, but it was almost as if I sensed someone was out there. Oddly, with the pa.s.sing moments, the air grew colder.”
”Foxglove,” he said with a hiss.
”What?”
”Whoever drugged me did so with foxglove, which has dulled my senses.”
A tremor rippled through her. ”Another vampire is nearby?”
”Mayhap.”
”But you are not sure.”
Aedan shook his head, his frustration easy to read. ”Nay.”
”Most likely you are right; it was an animal,” she said. ”Or, if another vampire, he or she could have been far away.”
”Do nae make excuses for me. I have sworn to protect you,” he said, his voice grim. ”If another vampire was nearby, I should have been able to detect him. I had not considered the drug's effects, a mistake I will not make again.” His hands clenched into fists at his sides, then slowly released. ”However much I wish to take you elsewhere to keep you safe, it is imperative that I remain here another day, mayhap two. If anyone returns to confirm my death, I must know.”
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