Part 14 (1/2)
”Wh-Why do you hate Aedan?” she asked, needing to buy time to think up a plan to slip free.
”I owe you no explanation. But I find myself curious how a human has so entranced a vampire that he leaves her with child. Especially considering he is our Highland Coven's laird.” He paused. ”You have no marks on your neck. Why has my cousin not claimed you?”
”I know not.”
Again his fist shot out.
Pain slammed through her cheek. Rowan stumbled back, caught herself as she fell against the rocks. Please, let me not lose Aedan's child!
The vampire stalked toward her. ”Methinks you are a witch, a very dangerous one to have seduced a powerful laird and a vampire centuries old.”
Chills swept through her at the d.a.m.ning label. ”I am no witch.”
”Nay?”
Tingles s.h.i.+vered inside her head.
He was trying to read her mind! Until Aedan had taken her blood, his powers had allowed him to mentally guide her. Naught more. But were all vampires' powers the same? Could his cousin read her thoughts?
Long seconds pa.s.sed.
Deep bronze eyes smoldered. ”Something is amiss,” he said, his words slow, deliberate. ”Regardless, you will serve my purpose well.”
Purpose? Whatever his depraved intent, she knew it boded ill to Aedan. Her mental calls to him had remained unanswered. However powerful this vampire, she must somehow slip away and warn Aedan. Heart pounding, Rowan s.h.i.+fted to the closest rock.
In a burst of speed, the vampire caged her against the rough stone. Long, dangerous fingers clenched Rowan's wrist tightly. ”Think not of escape.” He jerked her to her feet.
Waves pounded the sh.o.r.e in her wake as he hauled her along the rock-cluttered beach, up a narrow, winding path edged by the time-hewn cliffs. With the steep incline, it should have been a difficult trek, but he ascended the near vertical slide of land with incredible ease.
The full moon on the horizon was just rising; hours remained this night before the vampire would seek the shelter of darkness against the sun, and who knew what he would do with that time.
Aedan!
Breac lifted her over the top of the cliffs, and an enormous castle came into view. Settled upon an immense cliff, its turrets spun skyward like a potent threat. Battlements severed the moonlight, spilling jagged shadows before her. Numerous windows were carved within the grand towers, the exquisite detail an exclamation of wealth. A st.u.r.dy wall surrounded the castle, the portcullis the first of many entries one would have to traverse before pa.s.sing within the stronghold.
”Caorann Castle,” Breac stated.
Aedan's home.
Why was Aedan's cousin bringing her here? How was he going to explain her presence? Did any of that really matter? His cousin wanted her dead.
A gatehouse rose within the scarred wall, the blackened entry foreboding, the iron gate securing the portal like jagged teeth.
He waved his hand. Metal creaked, and with slow menace, the forged iron lifted.
How strong were this vampire's powers? As laird of his coven, wouldn't Aedan be still more powerful?
”Move.” Breac tugged her forward.
Eyes blurring with exhaustion, her legs threatening to give way, Rowan pushed forward.
With each step, she saw more of the immense castle, the st.u.r.dy building as formidable as their laird. She could envision Aedan within this powerful stronghold; his compa.s.sion and intelligence would make him a leader loved and revered. However much he believed otherwise, she did not fit in his world.
And never would.
Panic consumed her as she scanned the remainder of this intimidating fortress. Where was Aedan? With the moon ascending in the sky, he must be awake. And, with their blood bond, why hadn't he tracked her? Or, was there another unknown factor she hadn't considered?
They entered the bailey.
The vampires working inside stopped to stare.
A vampire with a long, white beard and bushy brows broke from a small group. With a nod, he strode toward them.
Pulse racing, Rowan watched the elder's approach. Was he part of Lord Breac's twisted plan to kill Aedan? Would she be handed over to him to die?
The elder vampire ignored her as he halted before them, an anxious expression on his face. ”You have found The MacGregor?”
”Nay, Sir Wayrn,” Breac replied, anger riding his voice, ”but I have found the cause of our laird's disappearance.”
The elder glanced toward her. Wizened eyes flickered with surprise. ”This human?”
”Human mayhap, but also a witch,” Breac stated.
Unsure what ill Breac was about, Rowan shook her head. ”I am nae a witch, nor have I done anything to your laird. If there is any treachery about, 'tis by-”
Breac hauled her up before his face. ”Do nae speak unless given permission.”
Trembling, Rowan laid her hands over her stomach, where her child grew.
Bushy brows lifted. ”The human la.s.s carries a babe?”
”Aye,” Breac hissed, his fingers unfurling from her garb. ”Aedan's.”
The elder's face paled. ”It cannot be. Never would our laird leave a b.a.s.t.a.r.d child, especially not with a human.”
”Aye, on that I agree. The la.s.s must have bewitched him.” Breac's fingers twisted in her hair, jerked her head back. ”Tell Sir Wayrn.”
Fear shot through Rowan, and her legs threatened to give. Lies, cast by the man who'd attempted to kill his cousin. But if she told the truth, she and her babe would die. She must stall.
At her silence, Breac's eyes darkened to a dangerous hue.
Shaking, she nodded. ” 'Tis the truth.”
The elder stumbled back as if punched. ”To place one's seed within a human is unthinkable for us. Never has such been done.”
”Aye, which brings up a far greater concern.” Grief slashed the anger on Breac's face. ”Never would Aedan betray us unless the la.s.s bewitched our laird with a spell of enormous strength.” He paused. ”I fear my cousin is no longer of sound mind.”