Part 14 (2/2)
The elder's face paled further.
”Sir Wayrn, gather the coven,” Breac said. ”I will explain everything then.”
”Aye.” With one last glare at her, Sir Wayrn spun on his heel and hurried off.
Never had a vampire slept with a human? Sir Wayrn's words echoed in Rowan's mind as Breac hauled her toward the ma.s.sive steps of the keep. Aedan's belief that they were mates explained his actions. He was proud of his heritage and his people. Never would he betray them.
Fury built, blinding her to fear. ” 'Twas you who drugged Aedan,” she charged, ”and then left him within the stone circle to die. Well you understood that the circle would drain a vampire's power and if he awoke, he would be unable to leave.”
Violent lines slashed Breac's face. He caught her hands, jerked them behind her back.
Pain screamed up her arms.
”I see my cousin has done more than filled your belly with his sp.a.w.n,” he seethed. ”He told a human what is forbidden.”
”Mayhap,” she replied, ”but I saved his life, whereas you tried to murder him.”
He grunted. ”As if any will hear your claim.” Breac withdrew a strip of cloth from a side pocket, secured it around her mouth with a hard yank. ”La.s.s, if I were you, my worries would not be for Aedan, but for the few moments left of your pathetic life.”
”Nay!” Rowan screamed, but the cloth m.u.f.fled her cry.
”Enough.” A crowd gathered as Breac hauled her up the steps to the keep. Curious stares mixed with excited whispers.
Her body trembling, she scanned the bailey, then looked toward the gatehouse where they'd entered a short time before. It was now blocked by the growing horde.
Breac raised his hand.
Expectant silence descended upon the throng.
”This night I bring disturbing news.” Breac's voice boomed within the castle walls. ”In my search for The MacGregor, I found this woman, who is responsible for our laird's disappearance.”
”How can a human have any power over a vampire?” a vampire near the front yelled.
”Aye,” several vampires grumbled in agreement. The doubts on the faces of those within the crowd showed they were far from convinced.
Breac scanned the throng, bronze eyes narrowing. ”This la.s.s is not a simple human, but a witch!”
”A witch powerful enough to bewitch our laird?” a wizened man near the front challenged. ”The MacGregor is many centuries old, his power legendary.”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.
”How can a witch,” the vampire continued, ”however strong, cast a spell over Aedan?”
At their doubts, hope filled Rowan. Aedan's people loved him, respected him; they would not abandon him because of a few words cast by his cousin.
”Like you, I too held doubts, until I discovered an astonis.h.i.+ng truth!” Breac placed his hand over her belly. ”Aye,” he roared as he glared at those before him, ”she carries our laird's child!
Outraged gasps echoed from the crowd.
”Nay,” a woman rushed out, ” 'tis an untruth!”
Breac shoved her before him, his hold cruel upon her wrist. ”La.s.s, is it not true?” he called out. ”Do you nae carry the child of our laird?” He leaned close to her hear and whispered, ”Nod in agreement or die now!”
Tears burning her eyes, Rowan nodded, willing to do anything to buy time until Aedan could arrive.
” 'Tis truth,” a woman near the back hissed.
”Aye,” a man nearby choked out. ”The blasted she-devil has enormous power.”
Outrage exploded within the crowd, and satisfaction settled upon Breac's face.
Nauseous, Rowan turned away from Breac. Why would he not be pleased? He wanted to become their laird, would do whatever was necessary to become the clan's leader, including trying to kill his cousin.
Except, Aedan lived.
A fact he knew, a problem he was determined to extinguish by convincing his people Aedan was bewitched, not of sound mind. But when Aedan appeared, he would expose the truth, and Breac's treachery would fail.
”A witch,” Breac continued, dragging her from her desperate thoughts, ”one who believes herself cunning. Her personal goals must be lofty indeed.”
”What would a witch be wanting with our laird or his child?” called an elder with a scarred face in the front.
Breac turned toward her. ”To claim the power of being his wife. But never will she achieve her twisted goal.”
A rugged-looking vampire in the back stepped forward. ”Where is our laird?”
”I am still searching for him. Worry not, I will find him. But-” Breac gave a frustrated shake of his head. ”-I dinnae know how to break the spell she has cast upon The MacGregor.” He nodded toward several elders at the side of the crowd. ”Oh, wise ones, 'tis guidance I seek.”
Angry brows furrowed as the white-haired vampires huddled and whispered amongst themselves.
With a slight limp, a tall vampire stepped from the group, his face drawn. ”My lord, we know of no way to break the witch's spell.”
Breac blew a hard breath. ”As I feared.”
Feared? Anger slammed Rowan at the lies Breac had told, the gullibility of Aedan's people to condemn their laird without proof! Was their loyalty to their laird, a man who would sacrifice his life for them, shredded with fears of a powerful witch? She waited for others to challenge Breac. She could see that many were far from convinced, but they remained silent.
Eyes filled with tears, Breac scanned the crowd. ” 'Tis with great sadness and regret that I inform you, if our laird still lives, his mind has been tainted by a spell that may be impossible to remove. And,” he said, his voice trembling, ”if indeed my cousin returns, he must be turned away. If he refuses ...” He shook his head as if he dredged the words from a battered soul. ”Our laird must die.”
Chapter Seven.
Aedan must die? Blackness threatened, but Rowan clung to consciousness-barely.
Grief ravaged the faces of the vampires below, as whispers rumbled amongst the crowd. But as the moments pa.s.sed, Rowan could see their struggle with doubt fade. One by one, in unspoken agreement, they accepted Breac's lie that Aedan could no longer continue as their laird.
Sir Wayrn stepped forward, the weight of this grave matter lining his face. ”Breac, will you lead us?”
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