Shadow Highlander

TWENTY-FIVE

The hall had grown so deathly quiet that Galen’s ears began to hurt. Each Warrior, Druid, and even Malcolm looked at him with a mixture of sympathy and understanding.

“What is it that occurs exactly?” Isla asked.

Galen began to pace again. “Headaches. An excruciating pain that consumes her.” When Isla and Hayden exchanged a knowing look Galen halted beside Hayden. “What is it you know?” “Maybe nothing,” Hayden said. “While you were gone, we learned more about Deirdre’s previous control over Isla.” Isla put her hand in Hayden’s, their fingers linking together. “Each time before Deirdre took over, I would have such a pain in my mind.” “I doona think this is the same thing,” Logan said. “What is happening to Reaghan happens every ten years, and only then.” Galen blew out a long breath. “The pain comes to Reaghan once a day, but we were told the episodes are lasting longer and striking harder every time.” “And the Druids can do nothing to stop the pain?” Sonya asked.

“It is part of the spell,” Logan said.

The sound of quick running feet sounded moments before Braden rushed down the stairs and straight to Logan. He launched his little body at Logan who easily grabbed him. Braden’s face was white, and his arms shook as he wrapped them around Logan’s neck.

“What is it, lad?” Logan asked as he held Braden against him. “You can tell me.”

Braden swallowed nervously and looked at Galen. “Does your promise still hold?”

Galen’s gut clenched in fear. “What promise?”

“To protect Reaghan.”

“Aye,” Galen said with a nod. “Has something happened to her?”

Braden’s eyes filled with tears. “She’s hurting, Galen. I heard her cry out.”

It was all Galen needed to hear. He had never run so fast as he followed the feel of Reaghan’s magic up the stairs and down a hallway. He threw open the door to Reaghan’s chamber to find her curled on the bed while Mairi stood at the window.

“Why didna you tell me?” Galen demanded.

Mairi turned, her sad eyes locking on his. “There is nothing any of us can do but be here for her, Warrior.” “There you are wrong,” Fallon said as he walked into the chamber to stand beside Galen. “You are in my castle now, under my protection. I will no’ have someone suffer needlessly.” “We’ve tried everything to help her,” Mairi said as she took hold of Reaghan’s hand. “Nothing we have done has lessened the pain.” Galen’s heart clenched when he saw the agony Reaghan was in. He went to the bed and took her other hand in his. It was ice-cold.

He didn’t waste a moment in pulling the blanket around her and tucking it against her body. He rubbed his hands up and down her arms to help warm her as best he could.

“Galen, let me assist her,” Sonya said as she walked into the chamber.

Mairi moved to block Sonya. “The spell Reaghan cast is very strong. To interfere might very well break that spell.” It was Broc who answered as he loomed behind Sonya. “We will no’ stand by and do nothing if Sonya is able to help Reaghan.” “Galen, please!” Mairi yelled. “The spell must stay in place.”

Sonya asked, “Why?”

Mairi shook her head, her hands trembling as she clasped them in front of her. “Every elder in our village has made a vow to protect Reaghan. As I told Galen, it has long been forgotten what it is she holds in the recesses of her mind, but whatever it is, it cannot fall into Deirdre’s hands.” “And you think that by breaking the spell Deirdre will somehow know,” Galen said.

Mairi nodded. “We do. I know you think us callous, but we are doing as Reaghan bid our ancestors. I’ve already broken one promise by taking her away from Loch Awe.” Fallon blew out a breath and laid a gentle hand on Mairi’s shoulder. “Every Druid here is protected. Especially Reaghan. Whether the spell breaks or no’, we cannot stand aside and do nothing if Sonya is able to help.” Reluctantly Mairi nodded and stepped aside. Sonya moved around the elder and lifted her hands over Reaghan as she closed her eyes. Galen held his breath as Sonya’s magic filled the room to mix with Reaghan’s.

“By the saints, her magic is strong,” Sonya murmured.

A moment later and Isla stood next to Galen and joined her magic with Sonya’s. Galen noticed how Hayden stood protectively behind Isla. In all the years Galen had known Hayden, he had never seen the blond so happy or seen such love shining in his eyes before.

Galen walked to Mairi, whose frame seemed to bend and whither before his eyes.

“We’ve always guarded her,” Mairi said.

“And you will continue to do so. Only we’ll be here to help now.”

Mairi lifted her gaze to him and patted his arm. “I hope I’m doing the right thing. We’ve always been taught that Warriors are evil.” “I willna lie, Mairi, there are evil Warriors out there. Please help your village to trust us.” “Our ways have been a part of us for many generations. I will do what I can to change my people’s thinking.” “That’s all we can ask.”

As they reached the door Galen saw that all the Warriors were gathered there, waiting to offer their help if needed. “Can someone accompany Mairi to her chamber?” It was Malcolm who stepped forward. “I will see her safely inside.”

Galen turned on his heel and walked back to Reaghan. She looked so frail and weary that he wished he could do something to help, but he had no magic to contribute to speed the healing.

“Touch her, Galen,” Sonya said. “You ease her pain.”

Isla nodded. “Aye, I felt it increase after he was gone.”

Galen didn’t need to be told twice. He stroked Reaghan’s brow and folded her hand against his chest.

Slowly, after what seemed like hours, Reaghan’s hand began to warm in his and her muscles eased in relaxation. Galen took his first easy breath since he had heard Reaghan was hurting.

Isla slowly backed away from the bed. She looked long and hard at Reaghan and waited for Sonya to lower her arms. When she did, Isla said, “Have you ever felt such a spell before?” Sonya shook her head. “I haven’t. I would say her magic is as powerful as yours, Isla. It’s something I never imagined I would say.” Galen didn’t care how strong Reaghan’s magic was if it couldn’t halt the pain that continued to strike her. “Have you stopped the ache?” “For now,” Sonya said. “It will most likely return, if Mairi can be believed, but this should hold it at bay for a few days. If we knew more, we might be able to halt it for good.” “And possibly break the spell,” Logan said from the doorway.

Galen squeezed Reaghan’s hand before he tucked it beneath the covers and started for the door. “Mairi’s concern about Reaghan does pose the question. What if we have somehow broken the spell by helping her?” “Reaghan’s magic is very powerful. I cannot see how easing her pain would break the spell.” Logan leaned a shoulder against the doorway. “Aye, but the markings stated she shouldn’t be taken from Loch Awe. That could have alerted Deirdre.” Isla shook her head. “Deirdre could have easily captured her at any time. It has to be more than that. I didn’t see the markings, but it could have just been a way of ensuring Reaghan stayed there. Whatever Reaghan is obscuring from Deirdre is veiled beneath Reaghan’s spell and years of blocked memories.” “Does Deirdre have the means to procure those memories from her?” Hayden asked.

Isla glanced at the bed before she shrugged. “I don’t know for certain. It would depend on the spell Reaghan used and just how deep the memory is she has suppressed.” Galen had heard enough and none of it good. He had held out hope that somehow once they were at the castle Sonya and the others could help her. But without knowing what Reaghan had done, no one could break her spell.

He shouldered his way through his fellow Warriors, careful not to touch any of them, and walked down the hallway. He would take position as guard this night. He wanted to be alone, and keeping lookout would give him that.

Fallon motioned everyone out of Reaghan’s chamber and shut the door behind him. “Logan, a moment,” he called to the youngest of them.

Logan was with Hayden, and together they halted.

“Hayden, you might be of assistance as well,” Fallon said. He reached them and sighed. “Logan, when I was jumping us back here today, Galen hesitated to touch me. I suspect it has to do with his power. Am I correct?” Hayden leaned against the wall, his lips compressed in a tight line.

Logan crossed his arms over his chest. “When you first learned to use your power of moving from one place to the next in a blink, you had to have your god loose, aye?” “Aye,” Fallon agreed. “Everyone does.”

“Until they master that power,” Hayden said.

Fallon studied both Warriors and knew he wasn’t going to like what he was told. “What is different with Galen?” “He’s had power from the moment his god was unleashed,” Logan murmured. “Whether his god is loose or not, whenever Galen touches someone, he sees into their minds.” “God’s blood,” Fallon whispered. “He cannot control it?”

Hayden shook his head. “He’s tried, still tries. But nothing he does can master the power so he has no control.” “Except with Reaghan,” Logan said. “She’s the only one he’s ever touched whose mind he can’t see into.” It all made sense to Fallon then. “He doesn’t want us to know, does he?”

“Would you?” Hayden asked. “In truth, Fallon, we guessed as you did.”

Logan dropped his arms and took a deep breath. “Galen admitted it to me while we were at Loch Awe. It is one of the reasons he’s kept to himself so much during his life. People take for granted the casual touches that are shared. Inevitably someone will touch Galen, so he tries to keep to himself as much as possible.” “It explains so much. I will talk to him,” Fallon said.

“Nay,” Logan hurried to say. “He doesna want anyone to know. He fears they might shun him.” Hayden pushed away from the wall. “Galen is a good friend, a good man. He knows people want their thoughts kept to themselves.” “I understand what both of you are saying, but Galen is a part of this family,” Fallon said. “Every Warrior and Druid here is. We have powers we didna ask for. We make the most of it and try our best to control them. Sometimes that isn’t possible. It isn’t a reason for anyone to reject Galen. And I willna allow it.” Logan nodded, his face solemn.

“If you doona want me to talk to Galen, I won’t,” Fallon continued. “But please let him know we need him.” “We will,” Hayden said.

“Good.” Fallon looked down the corridor and flattened his lips. “Now, let’s talk about these Druids that arrived. It’s obvious it’s going to take some time before they trust us.” Logan snorted. “Patience isna a virtue I’ve acquired.”

Hayden chuckled, his black eyes glinting. “Ah, but I think it will take more than kind words and easy tones to bring these Druids around.” “I think our best chance is the elders, Odara and Mairi,” Logan said. “The others will listen to them.” Fallon considered their words as his mind thought over every possibility. “I think we need to leave this in the hands of our capable women. Cara has a knack for getting people to open up to her.” “Let’s no’ forget Larena and her ability to be invisible. She could spy on them if need be,” Logan said.

Fallon smiled and slapped Hayden on the shoulder. “Along with Marcail, Isla, and Sonya, I think they can turn these Druids around.” “Meanwhile, we ready for battle,” Hayden said with a smile.