BloodWish Page 22

  The drive north-west, toward Drunvela, took less than forty minutes. As we approached Stirling, we veered off the highway into open countryside, past moonlit rolling hills, open fields and many trees still bare of leaves. Apart from the occasional whitewashed cottage, the area reminded me of the Southern Highlands back home in New South Wales.

  Then the reason for being in a four-wheel-drive made sense. We took a turn off the road and onto a dirt track that skirted several fields. After a kilometer or so, we drove through a small woodland which then opened onto a wide meadow. There appeared to be nothing around for miles. A light mist rose from the ground partially obscuring the view beyond.

  ‘Here we are,’ Alec said.

  ‘Where is it?’ I peered through both front and side windows, but there was only grass and fog.

  ‘On the other side of the mist. Now before we go through,’ he turned to face me, ‘the ward protecting this place is different from the one over the chateau. It’s designed to keep everyone away—humans and Brethren. The Ingenii ring will protect you from its full effects, although the green serpent ring is more effective.’

  ‘What effects?’

  ‘Fear, terror, the urge to run away.’ He twirled the ward ring round and round his finger, as if considering passing it temporarily on to me.

  I didn’t need to hear his thoughts to know that. No way would I let him do it.

  I placed my hand on his. ‘That’s how I felt my first day of teaching. But I survived.’

  He grinned, put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. ‘Well, miss schoolma’am, this lasts mercifully less, around eight seconds.’

  Eight seconds. I could handle that.

  He turned to face the back window. ‘Kari, prepare Dom.’

  ‘Okey-dokey.’ Kari’s voice came to me as if she were sitting right next to me. She and Dominik travelled in the third car behind Jake and Sam, who were in the car behind us.

  Alec then tapped the driver on the shoulder and urged him to go as fast as he could through the barrier. Just as we entered the ward, Alec lifted my chin. ‘Look only at me, darling, and think happy thoughts.’

  I could do that.

  His eyes turned a dark shade of purple that I found irresistible, and then he kissed me, a long, deep, toe-curling kiss that was meant to override the sudden overwhelming sense of dread and foreboding, such I’d never experienced, that sank into my soul. A heavy darkness that seemed to suck all joy from me, as if all the world’s sadness had been gathered into this one spot and I would be trapped in it forever.

  I whimpered, and a shudder wracked me. Alec’s grip on me tightened, and I clung to him even as the darkness threatened to devour me. My heart rate increased and beat painfully against my ribs. I panicked and clawed at Alec’s arm.

  Just another couple of seconds, his voice whispered against the darkness in my mind.

  I couldn’t think, couldn’t fight against the nightmarish images my imagination conjured that even his kiss could not obliterate.

  Almost there, darling.

  I clung to him like a baby possum, trying desperately to savour his lips on mine, to inhale his scent until all my senses were overpowered enough to dispel the horror threatening to destroy me.

  Alec! I can’t take it anymore.

  Then like a switch being turned off, the darkness that had settled inside me, dissipated like the mist we’d driven through.

  We were on the other side.

  I slumped against him, exhausted, breathing heavily.

  ‘Here, take this. It’ll help.’ He unscrewed the cap from the thermos, poured out a cup of steaming hot chocolate and handed it to me.

  I gulped it down. ‘Wonderful.’

  ‘You referring to my amazing kiss?’ His mouth curled up into a mischievous smile.

  ‘That too.’ I ran my finger along the edge of the cup, scooping up the last remnants of the chocolate.

  He shook his head in mock disappointment. ‘Hard woman.’

  I gave him a quick kiss. ‘Seriously, if you hadn’t done that, I would’ve been a screaming mess. It’s horrible.’

  ‘Brutal actually, but it’s done the job keeping everyone out all these centuries. Luc brought me here in the first year after my transformation. I wore neither ring then, so I got it full force. It’s something I’ll never forget.’

  ‘Neither will I.’ I shuddered again as I handed the thermos cup back to him. ‘At least we won’t have to worry about unexpected guests. Nobody could get through that.’

  ‘That’s right. Safest place in the world for you, right now.’ He leaned forward to look through the windscreen and pointed. ‘There it is. Drunvela.’

  I followed his gaze.

  A lone monolith stood sentinel on a grassy plain. The moonlight’s pale rays slanted off drab grey stone walls. The castle’s turreted towers, crowned with conical tips, stabbed the sky like spearheads. In the distance loomed a jagged cliff as dark as the stones from which the building had been hewn. It had such a forbidding aspect, I almost expected to see Macbeth’s witches huddled around a cauldron chanting, Double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble ...

  My face must’ve reflected it.

  ‘It’s better on the inside.’ Alec wrapped an arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze as we drove up a dusty road to the front entrance.

  ‘I’ll take your word for it.’ I gave him a wan smile.

  ‘It was never meant to be a place of residence. Just a fortress to make sure no one disturbed the site.’

  I sighed. ‘Fair enough, I s’pose.’

  ‘Once our babe’s born, we’re out of here.’

  ‘Rock on September.’

  He kissed the top of my head. ‘Amen to that.’

  Gravel crunched beneath our tyres as we neared the front entrance. Carried on the night air, the delectable strains from a set of bagpipes drifted toward us. I rolled down the window to look for the source. A shock of frigid air blasted my face, numbing my cheeks, but that didn’t deter me from shoving my head half out the window to get a better look.

  ‘Oh joy! Guess we’ll be hearing that for the next few months,’ I heard Jake mutter in the car behind us.

  ‘You bet we will,’ I said back.

  He groaned, but Sam chuckled.

  A lone piper stood on one of the turrets, the tassles on his pipes waving in the breeze. The full moon’s milky beams shrouded his figure, making him appear almost wraith-like, or a vision from the past that would dissolve once the last notes were played. I didn’t dare blink in case the vision vanished, taking the sweet melody with it.

  I’d never been to Scotland, yet as far back as I could remember, something about the country drew me. When my friends had listened to rock music, I’d preferred the melodic strains of a massed bagpipe band.

  ‘I love the sound of bagpipes,’ I breathed, lest I missed even one note.

  ‘I know,’ Alec whispered low in my ear.

  I listened till the music ended and the piper lowered his pipes, the cold forgotten.

  ‘Never did get the chance to show off my own piping skills, did I?’

  Alec had his own set of bagpipes, yet the opportunity simply hadn’t arisen for him to play. Maybe now? ‘No excuses while we’re here. You’ve got several months to get those cheeks puffing.’

  He chuckled, leaned in close to me till his breath tickled my neck. In his deepest Scottish brogue whispered, ‘Och! If I’d known how easily you can be seduced by a good set of pipes, I’da done so at our first meetin’, lass.’

  And he did it to me again: turned my insides to jelly. Although he’d been a lad of fifteen when he and his father had left Scotland for Australia more than a century ago, Alec had never completely lost his Scottish accent. Over time it’d been subsumed beneath the Aussie twang, yet occasionally, it would slip through. And right now, back in his native Scotland, it dripped from his tongue like the sweetest of honeys, and I wanted to lick up every delicious drop.

  My
mouth dried, and a swarm of butterflies played hopscotch in my belly. I turned from the window, his pine and fresh forest scent overwhelming my senses, his lips so close to mine that our breaths mingled. Staring into his dark purple eyes like a mesmerised monkey, I said the first thing that came into my drugged mind. ‘Then I suppose I would’ve discovered what lies beneath a Scotsman’s kilt sooner.’

  He burst out laughing. ‘Aye, that you would!’

  Our car stopped and the door opened. I resented the sudden intrusion of icy air and an unfamiliar voice.

  ‘Welcome home, Alec. Scotland hasna seen you in a long time.’

  I assumed it to be the estate manager, Dougal. Alec had told me about him on the flight over.

  ‘I first met him when Luc took me to Drunvela, soon after the war. Amiable bloke. I liked him. He was a carpenter and had been doing some work at the monastery at Iona, off Mull. Marcus was under-abbot there at the time. There was a Viking raid, and Dougal was fatally wounded trying to protect the monks. Marcus found him after he’d risen that night. He’d missed the whole thing. It had been a day raid.’ He’d laughed and shaken his head at the memory. ‘If only it had taken place at night. It would’ve been another story. Anyway, Dougal was dying, and Marcus gave him the choice of life.’

  And, as they say, the rest is history.

  ‘Dougal.’ Alec helped me into my coat as we alighted the car, then shook the man’s hand. ‘Long time, all right. I only wish it could’ve been under pleasanter circumstances.’

  ‘Aye, the passing of Lord Luc was sad news, indeed. My deepest condolences to you ... and to your lady.’ A keen set of lavender eyes, framed by shoulder-length red hair landed on me. I had a feeling that nothing much would get past this man.

  I nodded my thanks. Even though it’d been more than three months since Luc and Judy had gone, the gaping wound of their passing was still healing. It took only a word or even a particular scent to tear at its edges.

  Dougal’s sharp gaze darted from Alec’s left hand to mine. ‘I also hear congratulations are in order.’ He lifted my hand to his fingertips. ‘Can’t say I blame you.’

  It was silly, but a blush crept into my cheeks. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I hope you enjoyed the piper. A certain someone—’ his smiling gaze slid to Alec ‘—told me you’re a Scot’s lass at heart.’

  ‘You ordered the piper?’

  Alec merely winked at me—darling man—and tightened his grip around my waist. He then returned his attention to Dougal, and, with a tilt of his head, indicated the other cars from which Jake, Sam, Kari and Dominik alighted with some of our household staff. Poor Dominik. The drive through the ward must have hit him badly. After all, he was still only a kid at fifteen. Teary-eyed, he clung to Kari like a limpet. She rolled her eyes while trying to pry him off.

  While Jake and Sam greeted Dougal, Alec checked on Dominik. He clamped a hand on his shoulder. ‘You okay, Dom? Getting through the ward’s rough.’

  The boy gave a shaky nod. ‘It’s a bitch!’

  Alec smiled. ‘That it is.’ He lifted his chin and examined his eyes. ‘Mmm, good. Now, how about you help Jake set up the lab.’

  The staff we brought with us unloaded box after box. Some held the medical equipment Alec and Jake had ordered—an ultrasound machine, various monitors as well as lab equipment. Alec hadn’t given up trying to replicate the antigen.

  ‘All’s prepared, just as you asked.’ Dougal snapped his fingers, and two men appeared from behind the front doors. They hefted a few of the larger boxes, then led Jake, Sam, Dominik and our staff inside. ‘I’ve also set up some refreshments. It’s in the high hall, or, if you prefer, I can have it sent up to your room.’

  ‘The hall will be fine, thanks. I’m not in the least tired.’ I may have been at the start of my second trimester, but I was certainly no delicate daisy. My energy levels were the same as they always had been, and especially since the morning sickness phase of my pregnancy seemed to be passing—I hoped—I hadn’t been nauseous in days. That was definitely a plus.

  Tucked into Alec’s side, I stepped through the thick timber doors into the castle’s main reception area. The scent of linseed oil and old oak tickled my nose. Amber light glowed from the fire in the great hearth, above which hung the serpent-and-sword D’Antonville clan crest. Dark wooden panelling covered the lower half of stone walls. Firelight flickered over the life-size mural that ran the entire length of the upper half of the wall. In bold colours and vivid detail was depicted the story of the curse.

  I sucked in a breath.

  Every face stood out of those I knew and those I didn’t know. I recognised Marcus, but it was not the face of the man I knew. Where before had been arrogance and fury was now replaced with kindness mingled with sadness. And the witch herself? Somehow the medieval artist had managed to capture what she must have gone through—the anger, the fear and desperation to save her people. It was all reflected in her eyes.

  The price of vengeance.

  I sighed.

  ‘This is the original on which the stained-glass windows in the chateau and Sydney house are based; aren’t they?’

  ‘They are,’ Alec replied.

  Sam sprinted in, downed a goblet of blood and wiped his mouth. ‘Dougal, I’m off to do a perimeter run, see if we need to add a few more cameras. Let your men know.’

  Dougal gave him a wave then he and Alec, each with goblet in hand, stood by the long table and spoke.

  Kari joined me. ‘That kid’s like cling wrap. On the way back, he’s sitting with you.’

  I couldn’t help smiling. Poor Dominik. He hadn’t had anyone to smooth his passage through the ward, as I had. ‘You know when we leave here, there’ll be no more reason for the protective ward.’

  Kari’s face lit up. ‘Oh yeah! I forgot. But he’s still sitting with you.’

  I shrugged. ‘Don’t tell me you held it all together your first time going through.’ I assumed Jake must have brought her here during her juvy stage, so she had some experience of it. Otherwise, Alec wouldn’t have asked her to look after Dom.

  She snatched a look at Alec and Dougal, who were deep in conversation at the table, and leaned into my ear. ‘I freaked out. Jake had to hold me all the way in.’ Her mouth curled into a smile, eyes glazing over as she recalled the scene.

  She really carried a torch for him. How I wanted to tell her to tell him, but it was none of my business, and besides, what did I know about matters of the heart. My first serious relationship was now turning into a nightmare, and my current one had been arranged by my parents. At least they’d chosen well.

  ‘Alec did the same with me,’ I whispered back.

  Her eyes held a mischievous glint, and she nudged me with her elbow. ‘Saw you two canoodling in the back seat.’

  Why, or why did my cheeks have to flush? Blame it on my pregnancy hormones. But I couldn’t keep the smile from my face.

  ‘It worked.’ I winked.

  Kari laughed and linked her arm through mine. We strode over to the table where I helped myself to a delicious selection of little sandwiches and pasties. Kari picked up another goblet of warm, fresh blood. Strangely enough, the pungent coppery aroma didn’t make me nauseous as it would have before my pregnancy. Was I becoming used to it, or was there another reason? With my sight, hearing and now my sense of smell heightened, was there a chance I was slowly ... turning?

  My stomach hollowed out.

  Firelight glinted off the blood-laden goblets. I stared at them, imagining myself emptying their contents.

  My stomach convulsed, and I nearly gagged.

  Thank goodness! Don’t think about it again. I drew a deep breath to steady myself.

  ‘Laura?’ Alec’s voice startled me from my thoughts. ‘You’ve gone very pale. Are you feeling unwell?’

  ‘No, I’m fine, thanks. Passing thought.’ I absently waved my hand and gave him a reassuring smile.

  Alec’s eyes remained on me, and I knew he was listening to my
heartbeat and our baby’s, satisfying himself that all was well. To dispel any concerns, I bit into one of the pasties on my plate and wandered over to him and Dougal, but the lingering taste of bile in my mouth made it feel like I was swallowing sawdust.

  He drew me to his side, then scooped something from his pocket and handed it to Dougal. ‘For you. Present from me and Marcus as reward for your faithful service. You’ve got eight days of daylight there.’

  Dougal’s mouth dropped open as he held the little glowing vials. Marcus and Alec had shared their own meagre Ingenii-blood supply. ‘I don’t know what to say, Alec, ’cept thank you.’

  ‘That’ll do.’

  They clasped hands, Dougal grinning from ear to ear. ‘Now to find a day when I can imbibe. Perhaps ... at sunrise?’

  ‘Why not? Go and enjoy it, man. Laura and I are safe within these walls, and we have Jake and Sam with us.’ He slapped Dougal on the back.

  Dougal’s eyes shone. He opened his mouth to speak but shut it again, swallowed hard and simply gave Alec a nod.

  ‘Oh, and one more thing. When all this is over, we’d like you to stand for the Eldership. By right of age, you’re more than qualified, and more than deserving. Please consider it.’

  He inhaled deeply and turned from us, bracing his arms on the table as he gazed in the direction of the tall arched windows. ‘I’ve been here a long time, Alec, laddie, and I’ve never been out of Scotland. Ay, I’ve been to Dundee and Aberdeen and even Edinburgh, or wherever the hunt takes me, but’ —he lowered his head and shook it— ‘an Elder? Keep the peace and make decisions among Brethren? I can do it among my men, but I don’t know if that’s enough.’

  It was odd hearing Alec referred to as “laddie” by someone who looked at least ten years younger. I had to remind myself that, although Dougal appeared no more than nineteen or twenty, he was probably well over a thousand years old, maybe more. To him, at only a hundred years old, Alec was a youngster.

  That made me a veritable foetus! I bit down hard on my lip.

  ‘Marcus thinks you can, and so do I. I’ll leave it there.’

  Dougal angled his head over his shoulder toward us. ‘Isn’t the Eldership filled? Where would I fit in?’