marissa st. james - highland eyes, the spellbinder.pdf

8/14/2019 Marissa St. James - Highland Eyes, The Spellbinder.pdf

1/164

Renaissance

www.renebooks.com

C op yr ig ht 20 04 b y M ar is sa S t. J am es

N O TICE: This w ork is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this w ork or

d i s t r ib u t i n g i t t o a ny u n a u t h or i z e d p er s o n b y a ny me a n s, i n c l ud i n g w i t ho u t l i mi t e ma i l, f l op p y d i sk , f i le t r an s fe r , p a pe r print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severef i ne s o r i mp r i s o n me n t .


2/164

HIGHLANDEYES: THESPELLBINDER

A Romantic Fantasy

By

M A RI S SA S T. J A ME S

A Renaissance E Books publicationISBN 1-58873-563-X

All rights reserved

C op yr ig ht 2 00 5 b y M ar is sa S t. J am es

T hi s b oo k m ay n ot b e r ep ro du ce d i n w ho le o r i n p ar t w it ho ut w ri tt en p er mi ss io n.

For information:

Email [email protected]

PageTurner Editions

AHeart-SweptRomance


3/164

A Note about Pronunciation:

D un C ea th ac h; ( do on k e- ak h) n . f or t o f m is t

L ao ch ; ( la y o ch ) n . h er o

Famhair: (faver) n, giant


4/164

Dream your dreams, Magician mine,

Within your crystal cave.

T he t ho ug ht s o f m en y ou can 't d ef in e;

O ur w ay s y ou c an no t s av e.

A p ric e you' ll p ay f or w ha t i s d one ,T he t ru th w il l out a t l as t.

W he n y ou d ar ed be tr ay o ur a rt

T he d ie w as s ur el y c as t.

S he w il l com e f ro m f ut ur e t im e,

This girl with mystic pow'r,

To l ea d h er p eo pl e i n t he pa st

O ut o f t he ir d ar ke st h ou r.

W hi le e ye s a re w in do ws t o t he s ou l,

I f on e d ar es l oo k t ha t d ee p;

W he n o ne c om es w ho l ov es h er m os t,

He r po we r wi ll he k ee p.

S ha re y ou r d re am s w it h m e, m y l ov e,

I w ou ld r ec al l t he p as t.

For ma gic is a dyi ng a rt

And we a re but the l as t.

T il l o ne com es w it h m oo nb eam eyes,

O ur m ag ic t o e nd ow .

T he l eg acy b el on gs t o h er ;

M ag ician, s leep f or n ow .


5/164

PROLOGUE

S c ot l an d , 1 3 05

T he c op pe ry s me ll o f b lo od p er me at ed t he s ti ll a ir . A n u ne as y q ui et d om in at ed t he m oo r. O ne m an s to od

a pa rt f ro m t he o th er s ur vi vo rs a nd t oo k i n t he b at tl e' s a ft er ma th ; t he b od ie s, t he b lo od s oa ke d e ar th , t hes te nc h o f d ea th i nv ad in g e ve ry b re at h. T he o do r c lu ng t o t he s ki n, s ee pi ng i nt o e ve ry p or e, a g ri m

reminder of the devastating carnage.

T ri st an 's s wo rd , t he b la de d ul l w it h d ri ed b lo od, h un g l oo se ly i n h is r ig ht h an d. T he t ip o f t he w ea po n

r es t ed car el ess ly o n m at ted g rass . S ho ut ed com mand s and d eath s cr eam s echo ed i n h is m em or y. T he

c la sh o f s wo rd s s ti ll r an g i n h is e ar s. H e w on de re d i f h e w ou ld e ve r a ga in f ee l c le an .

M an y o f t he m en w ho ha d f ou gh t a lo ng w it h hi m, b ac k t o b ac k a nd b y h is s ide , l ay m ot io nl es s. S om e

s tared u ns eein g at t he b ri gh t m or ni ng s ky . L as t n ig ht t hey w er e con fi dent , w it h n o d ou bt t hey w ou ld w in

t hi s b at tl e. A s a lw ay s b ef or e a b at tl e, t he ir s h ad b ee n a q ui et , b ut n er vo us a nt ic ip at io n. T he y l oo ke d

f or ward t o r et ur ni ng t o t heir h om es and f am il ies. H e h eard t he m oans o f m en w ho w ou ld n ot l iv e t hr ou ghthe day. They had trusted him, willingly followed him to rout the English invaders.

He survived.

They hadn't.

T ri st an l is tened m or e car ef ul ly t o a w hi ni ng b ar el y h eard o n t he b reeze. I t cou ld o nl y m ean o ne t hi ng . H e

s ho ve d h is s wo rd i nt o i ts s he at h a nd r an t ow ar d t he s ou nd .

H e k nelt b es id e A ng us , w ho l ay d yi ng o n t he m oo r. T ri st an cur sed h im self , u nabl e t o d o any th in g f or h is

c lo se st f ri en d a nd t ea ch er . I f i t h ad n' t b ee n f or t he m an 's b el ov ed d og , F am ha ir , T ri st an w ou ld h av e f ou nd

t he w ar ri or t oo l at e. T ri st an g av e t he d og 's m as si ve h ea d a p at o f a ss ur an ce , t he n t ur ne d h is a tt en ti on t o

i ts m as te r. H e r ai se d A ng us 's h ea d a nd r es te d i t a ga in st h is k ne es .

" Yo u c an d o n ot hi ng f or m e, b oy , A ng us r as pe d, k no wi ng h is w ou nd w as m or ta l. H e r ai se d a f ee bl e

ha nd but dropped it to his ches t. We ha ve wa ited too long ... The t ime is now. If we ar e t o win, you

m us t a ct n ow . H is w or ds w er e s lo w i n c om in g, w hi le h e s tr ug gl ed f or e ve ry b re at h. A t ri ck le of b lo od

a pp ea re d a t t he c or ne r o f h is m ou th a nd T ri st an q ui ck ly w ip ed i t a wa y, a s i f t ry in g t o d en y t he i ne vi ta bl e.

A s t he o ld w ar ri or con ti nu ed t o s peak , T ri st an w as v ag uely aware o f s om eo ne s tand in g b eh in d h im .

F am hair g ro wl ed . A ng us h el d a f is tf ul o f T ri st an 's s hi rt w it h as t ig ht a g ri p as h is d yi ng b od y w ou ld all ow ,

d et er mi ned t o g et t hi s l as t p ro mi se f ro m h is s tu dent .

" I w ou ld n' t k no w w here t o b eg in l oo ki ng , A ng us . I d on 't h av e t he r ig ht o r t he aut ho ri ty ."

" I g iv e i t t o y ou . Y ou w il l b e m y s uc ce ss or , t he ne xt c la n c hi ef ta in ."

" An gu s, y ou a re a g oo d f ri en d a nd t ea ch er , b ut I c an 't a cc ep t. "

" Yo u m us t and y ou w il l, t he o ld m an i ns is ted, h is v oi ce f ad in g. Pr om is e m e y ou w il l s tart a s earch. "

"I promise, Angus, Tristan reluctantly gave his word.

A b ri ef s mi le t ou ch ed A ng us l ip s t hen h e s ig hed and r el eased h is l as t b reat h.

F am hair g ro wl ed again and s to od p ro tect iv el y o ver h is m as ter T ri st an eas ed A ng us h ead t o t he g ro un d,

t hen s t oo d w eari ly t o f ace n ew accu sati on s.


6/164

" Yo u can na h av e t he chi ef tain sh ip . Ti s m y r ig ht b y b ir th , t he n ew co mer r av ed . My f at her h ad n o r ig ht

ha ndi ng it t o you. Wha t c ont rol have you ha d ove r him tha t he s hould do s uc h a thi ng, and de ny his own

blood?"

" No ne at all . D on 't w or ry D ou gal, t he chi ef tain sh ip i s s ti ll y ou rs . I h av e s om et hi ng m or e i mp or tant t o d o.

T ri st an s ta re d a t t he n ew c hi ef ta in f or a m om en t, d is gu st ed w it h h im . A m an w ho w oul d s ta y c le ar o f a

battlefield till the fighting is done, is no man in my book. You never were and never will be a man to fightf or h is be li ef s. H ea ve n h el p t he c la n w it h y ou a t i ts he ad. T ri st an ga ze d a t A ng us b od y o nc e m or e, s ai d

a s il en t f ar ew el l, t hen t ur ned and w al ked away.

" Wha t i s i t t ha t' s m or e i mp or ta nt ? I f i t' s c la n bu si ne ss t ha n I s ho ul d k no w o f i t. D ou ga l' s v oi ce g re w

l ou de r, t ak in g o n t he t on e o f a p et ul an t c hi ld .

T ri st an s to pp ed a nd g la re d o ve r h is s ho ul de r. A m an w ho w il l n ot d ef en d h is f at he r' s b ac k h as n o r ig ht

t o know hi s f at he r' s la st wor ds . I wi ll t el l you i t ha s nothi ng t o do wi th you or your c lan. Not dir ec tly, a t

l east , h e f in is hed t ho ug ht fu ll y. H e w an ted n ot hi ng m or e at t he m om en t, t han t o p ut d is tance b et ween

h im se lf a nd t he a rr og an t s on o f h is r es pe ct ed t ea ch er . H e h ea rd F am ha ir 's g ro wl b ec om e l ou de r a nd

more menacing.

" Ge t t hi s m on st er a wa y f ro m m e b ef or e I r un a b la de t hr ou gh i t. "

T ri st an s ho ok h is h ead and w hi st led s harp ly . F am hair g ro wl ed o nce m or e at D ou gal t hen l op ed away i n

T ri st an 's d ir ecti on . Lo ok s l ik e y ou h av e a n ew m as ter, F am hair ."

* * * *

T ri st an k ne w he w ou ld r em em be r t hi s da y a s l on g a s h e l iv ed. T he s ou nds o f f ig ht in g a nd dy in g w er e

s tu ck i n h is m em or y a nd w ou ld f ol lo w h im , h au nt h is d re am s f or y ea rs t o c om e. W ha t w en t w ro ng ? H e

k ep t ask in g h im self t hat q uest io n o ver and again , t ry in g t o f in d s om e exp lanati on f or t heir f ai led p lans .

T he y h ad c ar ef ul ly w or ke d o ut e ve ry d et ai l o f t he r ai d. T he a tt ac k o n t he E ng li sh c am p s ho ul d h ave b ee na s ur pr is e, q ui ck a nd t ho ro ug h. I ns te ad , t he E ng li sh h ad b ee n a rm ed a nd r ea dy , w ai ti ng f or t he S co ts .

H ow d id t he y k no w, u nl es s. .. ? N o, h e d id n' t w an t t o b el ie ve s uc h a p os si bi li ty c ou ld e xi st , y et i t s ee me d

the only answer.

T ri st an r ea ch ed t he e nd o f t he f ie ld a nd b re at he d a w ea ry s ig h. F am ha ir s et tl ed d ow n c lo se b es id e h is

ne w m as te r. Thi s wo ul d not be t he l as t ba tt le . The Sc ot s h ad a l ong wa y t o go t o ga in t he ir f re edom . He

s pu n a rou nd q ui ckl y, a s i f s om eo ne ha d c al le d t o h im . A c hi ll r an d ow n hi s s pi ne , o ne w hi ch h ad n ot hi ng

t o d o w it h t he e ar ly m or ni ng c ol d. C ha ng e w as i n t he w in d; h e c ou ld f ee l i t. A no th er w ar ri or a pp ro ac he d

h im and h e s tr ai gh tened, cho os in g, f or t he m om en t, t o i gn or e w hat cou ld b e an o men.

" We w er e b et rayed, T ri st an t ol d t he n ew co mer. Th e b at tl e s ho ul d h av e b een o ver q ui ck ly . W e s ho ul dh av e b ee n a bl e t o t ak e p ri so ne rs . T he y w er e w ai ti ng f or u s. "

" Ar e y ou s ur e a bo ut t ha t? t he n ew co me r a sk ed . A f ro wn c ro ss ed h is s ha rp a ri st oc ra ti c f ea tu re s.

" Th in k a bo ut i t, G ra em e. T he y s ho ul d h av e b ee n h al f a sl ee p w he n w e r us he d t he c am p. T he y w er e a le rt

a nd r ea dy f or u s. T ri st an r an h is f re e h an d t hr ou gh h is s we at d am pe ne d h ai r. H e s ta re d i nt o t he d is ta nc e

f or a m om en t, n ot s eein g any th in g. I' ll f in d t he t rait or and d eal w it h h im p er so nall y. I s wear I w il l. H e

paused for a moment. Angus was right. The time has come to seek out the Legend."

G ra em e s ta re d i nc re du lo us ly a t h is f ri en d. You d on 't b el ie ve t ha t t al e, d o y ou ? T ha t' s a ll i t i s, y ou k no w

just a great deal of foolishness. You can't take it seriously."

" I' m v er y s er io us . T hi ng s a re n ot g oi ng a s t he y s ho ul d. C om e, t he re i s m uc h t o b e d on e. T ri st an 's l on g


7/164

s tr id es t oo k h im t ow ar d h is w ou nd ed m en . H e w ou ld g iv e w ha t c om fo rt h e c ou ld .

G ra em e w at ch ed T ri st an w al k a wa y w it h t he h ug e g re y d og c lo se b y h is s id e. W ha t w as t he t al e a bo ut

t he L eg en d? A h, y es . H is g ra nd mo th er u se d t o t el l h im t he s to ry w he n h e w as a s ma ll b oy . T he l eg en d

t ol d o f a you ng wo ma n, f ro m a not he r p la ce a nd t im e. Sh e ha d da rk h ai r, a nd e ye s s o pa le t he y a ppe ar ed

t he s il ve ry c ol or o f t he f ul l m oo n. H er a bi li ty t o c om e a nd g o a s s he pl ea se d w oul d d en y a ny m an t he r igh t

t o s ay he r n ay. The t al e c la ime d he r t o be a wi tc h, one of t he a nc ie nt w is e o ne s, c apa bl e o f us in g he r m agi c t o u ni te t he h ig hl an d c la ns a nd dr iv e ou t t he En gl is h. H er s tr an ge w ay s w er e s ur e t o m ak e m an y

e ne mi es , b ut h er k in dn es s, w in h er m an y m or e f ri en ds . T he L eg en d p ro mi se d t o b e t he f ir st o f a s pe ci al

clan o f w om en , w it h t ho se w ho f ol lo wed b eari ng a r em ar kabl e r es em bl an ce t o h er . E ach, i n t ur n, w ou ld

u se h er o wn s pe ci al k in d o f m ag ic t o g ui de t he h ig hl an d c la ns . T he n, o ne d ay , S co tl an d w ou ld b e f re e.

T he s ol di er s co ff ed a t t he t al e. I t w as j us t a s h e' d t ol d T ri st an , n ot hi ng b ut a f an ci fu l s to ry t o a mu se a nd

ent er tain . G raem e con si dered T ri st an 's l as t w or ds b ef or e f ol lo wi ng h im . T ri st an w as w ro ng . B ut , i f h e d id

s e ek the l eg en d a nd p ro ve i t t ru e, G ra em e w ou ld h av e t o d o s om et hi ng a bo ut i t. L et T ri st an d o a ll t he

w or k. I n t he e nd , e ve ry th in g w ou ld b e a s i t s ho ul d.


8/164

CHAPTERONE

Present day

M er yl p ul led t he b ru sh s lo wl y t hr ou gh t he l on g s tr an ds o f b lack h ai r and s tu di ed h er r ef lect io n i n t he

m ir ro r. P al e s il ve r e ye s s ta re d b ac k a t h er a nd s he w on de re d, o nc e a ga in , w hy s he l oo ke d s o d if fe re ntf ro m t he o th er f am il y m em bers . W el l, n ot d if ferent r eall y, excep t f or t ho se w ei rd eyes. N ob od y els e h ad

e ye s l ik e h er s. S he f el t l ik e a n o ut si de r, o ne w it ho ut a n o un ce o f w it ch cr af t. M ay be s he w as a c ha ng el in g.

T ha t m us t b e i t; s om eo ne p la ye d a t ri ck a nd l ef t h er w it h a f am il y o f w it ch es .

S he r es te d h er a rm s o n t he d re ss in g t ab le a nd l ea ne d f or wa rd . T he p en da nt a t h er t hr oa t d an gl ed f re e o f

h er s hi rt . S he l ig ht ly r an he r f in ge rs o ve r t he e ng ra ve d d es ig n, t he n f li cke d i t w it h on e f ing er t o s et t he h ea t

s ha pe d pe nd an t g en tl y t ur ni ng on i ts d ou bl e c ha in . T wo m oo ns to ne s w er e s et i n on e h al f o f t he h ea rt ,

app eari ng l ik e eyes. D iago nall y s et o n t he o th er h al f w as a t ur qu oi se. T he h eart w as act uall y t wo h al ves

h el d t og et he r b y a c at ch o n t he b ac k o f t he p en da nt . S he n ev er u nd er st oo d t he m ea ni ng o f t he s tr an ge

e mb le m. H er a un t E nc ha nt ra h ad t ol d h er s he w as t o w ea r i t a lw ay s, f or i t h ad m ar ke d h er f ut ur e.

B ey on d t ha t a dv ic e, E nc ha nt ra c ou ld g iv e h er n o f ur th er e xp la na ti on , e xc ep t t o s ay i t w as a s ig n o f h er w it ch in g l eg ac y. M er yl l au gh ed a t t he i de a b ut b el ie ve d o ne d ay s he w ou ld h av e t he a ns we rs . T od ay

w ou ld n ot be t he d ay .

Me ryl m ade a f ac e a t he r r ef le ct ion i n t he m irr or , t hen t ie d he r ha ir ba ck a nd s ighe d. A good r un m ight do

w on de rs f or h er m oo d. S o, w hy w as s he s it ti ng t he re f ee li ng s or ry f or h er se lf ? S he t uc ke d t he p en da nt

i ns id e h er l ig ht b lu e t ee s hi rt , t he n t uc ke d t he b ot to m o f t he s hi rt i nt o h er c ut -o ff j ea ns a nd w en t a ro un d t o

t he ba ck of t he ma ns ion whe re a c li ff pa th l ed dow n t o t he be ac h.

Sh e s to pp ed a m om en t a t t he t op o f t he pa th t o l ook out a t t he m is t f loa ti ng a bo ve t he wa te r. Th e

m or ni ng f og b ur ned o ff s lo wl y and t he air r em ai ned coo l. A no th er d ecep ti on . T he d ay w ou ld q ui ck ly h eat

up a nd i n a f ew hou rs t he be ac h, s out h of t he ma ns ion , wou ld be c rowd ed wi th s un w or shi pe rs . P ar t o f the shoreline always remained deserted. Townsfolk weren't afraid of the mansion's residents, but neither

d id t he y w an t t o b ec om e t oo f ri en dl y w it h t he m. O ne n ev er kn ew w ha t a S pe ll bi nd er m ig ht d o a t a ny

given moment.

M er yl s cu rr ied d ow n t he s teep p at h t hen w al ked b ri sk ly alo ng t he s ho reli ne, t ak in g p leas ur e i n t he g en tl e

breeze floating in above the tide. Plovers left tiny prints on the wet sand in their search for food. The small

birds scattered when she approached them.

" Mo rn in g, D in ks , M er yl cal led t o t he l ar ge b lack cat l op in g alo ng t he w at er 's edg e. M er yl p uf fed w hi le

s he t ri ed t o k ee p h er f oo ti ng o n t he d ry s an d, f ee li ng t he g ra in s s li de b en ea th h er f ee t. S he q ui ck ly t ir ed o f

t he b at tl e a nd he ad ed f or t he hi gh t id e m ar k w he re t he s an d w as pa ck ed a nd we t. D ink s e as il y ke pt p ac e

w it h h is m is tr es s and h er f am il iar r ou ti ne. M er yl adj us ted t he h eadp ho nes and s et t he W al km an 's v ol um e

t o a com fo rt ab le l ev el . C el ti c m us ic alw ay s l if ted h er m oo d, esp eciall y b ag pi pes.

S he l ove d t o r ea d a bo ut t he o ld w ay s a nd o ft en i ma gi ne d he rs el f l iv in g c en tu ri es e ar li er . I t w as n' t j us t t he

r ea di ng ; s he o ft en f el t a p ul l t o t ha t t im e, a s i f s om eo ne o r s om et hi ng b ec ko ne d h er t o t he p as t. A t t ho se

t im es , s he f el t w ar mt h f ro m t he p en dant s he cou ld n' t exp lain . S he u sed t o i magi ne t he n eckl ace b ei ng t he

k ey t o a n a nc ie nt p ow er t ry in g t o g ai n h er a tt en ti on . M er yl s ho ok h er h ea d a nd c le ar ed h er m in d o f t he

f an ci fu l i dea. P ow er i nd eed! S he cou ld n' t cas t a s im pl e s pell , n ev er m in d con tr ol s om et hi ng l ik e t he

pendantif there was something to be controlled.

M er yl c on ce nt ra te d o n t he m us ic w hi le h er f ee t p ou nd ed i nt o t he w et s an d. T he t re ad f ro m h er s ho es l ef t

d eep d is ti ncti ve m ar ks . A t f ir st , s he t ho ug ht t he d ul l t hu dd in g b en eath h er f eet w as h er d oi ng , u nt il s he


9/164

n ot ic ed a d if fe re nc e i n t he r hy th m. S he p au se d t o c at ch h er b re at h a nd f ig ur e o ut w ha t c au se d t he

v ib ra ti on s. M er yl 's e ye s w id en ed a t t he s ig ht o f a h or se c an te ri ng t ow ar d h er o ut o f t he m is t. W hi le t ha t

w as a s ur pr is e i n i ts el f, h er g az e w as r iv et ed o n t he l ar ge a ni ma l k ee pi ng p ac e w it h t he ho rs e. F ro m t hi s

d is ta nc e s he w as n' t q ui te s ur e w ha t i t w as , b ei ng a lm os t h al f t he s iz e o f i t' s c om pa ni on . D in ks s to od b y

h er s id e, s ni ff in g t he air , w at ch in g t he s tr an gers app ro ach t oo q ui ck ly f or h is l ik in g. R em nant s o f m is t

s wi rl ed abo ut i n t he w ar mi ng air , s ti ll m ak in g a clear v iew i mp ract ical . S he s hu t o ff t he W al km an and

r em ov ed t he h eadp ho nes. H oo ves s pl as hed i n w av es alo ng t he l ow er w at er li ne.

Th e r id er w or e a s tyl e of ki lt f ro m hu nd re ds of ye ar s a go . H e s li ppe d of f t he ho rs e' s ba re ba ck a nd

patted the animal's neck in a gesture of assurance, then strolled closer to her. They studied one another in

s il en ce . H e w as n' t v er y t al l, a b it u nd er s ix f ee t i f s he w as a ny j ud ge o f h ei gh t. D ar k h ai r h un g l oo se ly

a bou t h is s ho ul de rs e xc ep t f or t he na rr ow b ra id o n o ne s id e o f hi s he ad , a wa rr ior 's b ra id . H e w as no

K ev in S or bo b ut s he t hou gh t he c ou ld h ol d h is o wn i n a f ig ht . H e' d h av e n o p rob le m h an dl in g a

broadsword. She could picture him in the thick of battle on some Scottish moor. His soft leather boots

w er e c ros s- ti ed a nd s he c ou ld s ee t he h il t of a sgian dhu i n t he t op o f o ne b oo t. T he t hr ee -i nc h k ni fe

m ig ht b e s ma ll b ut i t w as j us t a s d ea dl y a s i ts l ar ge r c ou si ns . T he s tr an ge r' s e ye s w er e t he g re en o f

e me ra ld s a nd M er yl f ou nd s he c ou ld n' t l oo k a wa y f ro m t he m. S he f el t c ap tu re d b y t he ir s pe ll .

S he f in al ly g lanced at t he ani mal s tand in g b es id e t he h or se and t ri ed t o h id e t he n er vo us ness s he s ud denl y

f el t. I t h ad s ta rt ed m ov in g f or wa rd , b ut a h an d s ig na l f ro m t he s tr an ge r k ep t i t i n p la ce . Yo u' re

t re sp as si ng o n p ri va te p ro pe rt y, s he w ar ne d t he w ar ri or w he n s he w as f in al ly a bl e t o s pe ak . N o o ne

e ve r c am e o nt o S pe ll bi nd er l and . F or e ve ry s te p s he t oo k ba ck wa rd , t he s tr an ge r m ov ed a s te p c lo se r t o

he r. He m ove d c aut io us ly a nd k ept a wa ry e ye on t he c at by h er s ide . Me ryl va gu el y wo nde re d wha t h e

wa s s ee ing wh en he lo oke d a t Di nks . She go t a n i mpr es si on of hi s di sl ike f or c at s, a nd he r c at in

particular. She sensed a seed of doubt in his mind and knew when he'd pushed it away. She had the

s tr an gest f eeli ng t he d ou bt s h e h ar bo red h ad s om et hi ng t o d o w it h h er . M er yl s en sed h is r el ief i n h av in g

f ou nd t he w om an h e' d b een s earchi ng f or , and y et , h er y ou th p uzzl ed h im . T hi s w as n' t t he chance m eeti ng

i t a ppe ar ed t o be . To M er yl 's s ur pr is e, s he c oul d no m or e t ur n f ro m hi s s ta re , t ha n he c oul d f ro m he rs .

H e s tepp ed clo ser and r ai si ng h is h an d, car ef ul ly s li pp ed t wo f in gers b en eath t he d el icat e chain s t o l if t t he

pendant she wore. How do you come by this?"

H er s ki n t in gl ed w here h is f in gers b ru sh ed i t. T he q uest io n and h er r es po ns e t o h is l ig ht t ou ch , s tart led

M er yl . H er h ea rt b ea t a l it tl e f as te r, a bi t h ar de r. Ho w di d he k now a bo ut t he pe nda nt a nd w hy w ou ld he

be interested in it? The heirloom belonged to a mother she couldn't remember.

" No t t hat i t' s any o f y ou r b us in es s, s he r ep li ed t ar tl y, f eeli ng d ef en si ve. I' ve alw ay s h ad i t. H e m ad e h er

n er vo us a nd i nt ri gu ed he r a t t he s am e t im e. S he s ta re d i nt en tl y i nt o h is g re en e ye s, u nt il h e r el ea se d t he

jewelry. What interest do you have in my pendant?"

Tristan ignored the question.

* * * *

W hi le t he h um an s c ar ri ed o n t he ir a wk wa rd c on ve rs at io n, F am ha ir k ep t a c lo se w at ch o n t he

app ro achi ng cat . T he ani mal s eemed cap ab le o f m ak in g i ts el f app ear l ar ger t han i t act uall y w as . F am hair

y aw ne d w id el y, a s i f b or ed , t he n s na pp ed h is j aw s s hu t. I e at c re at ur es l ik e y ou f or b re ak fa st , h e

growled softly.

D in ks s to pp ed , s ur pr is ed h e h ad n' t i nt im id at ed t he s tr an ge i nt ru der. T hen again , h e' d n ev er s een an ani mal

a s bi g a s t hi s o ne a t l ea st no t o ne t ha t wa sn 't a h or se . Wha t a re y ou? "

"Deerhound, the newcomer replied bluntly.


10/164

"Never seen anything like you before."

" No t s ur pr is ed. T he p ant in g d og r ai se d h is m uz zl e a nd s ni ff ed t he a ir , a s i f t al ki ng w it h t he c at w er e a

w as te o f t im e.

"What's your name?"

"Famhair. That's grey haired in human language."

"I'm Houdini, but everybody calls me Dinks."

"Strange name."

D in ks s at b ef or e t he d og a nd b ob be d h is h ea d s li gh tl y a s i f t ry in g t o s hr ug h is s ho ul de rs . I t w as t he

clo sest h e cou ld com e t o emu lati ng t he w ay h um an s w ou ld r es po nd t o a com ment t hat d id n' t n eces sari ly

r eq ui re a v er ba l r es pon se . H e r ai se d on e p aw a nd g roo me d h is f ac e, t he n s et t he p aw ba ck o n t he s an d.

Yo u d on 't s ay m uch. "

" I t al k wh en I h ave s om et hi ng t o s ay ."

"Makes sense."

D og a nd c at c on ti nu ed t o s ni ff t he a ir b et we en t he m, g et ti ng t o k no w a nd r em em be r t he o th er 's s ce nt .

" I d on 't l ik e y ou r m as ter, D in ks ann ou nced . H e g lanced o ver h is s ho ul der at t he h um an s and F am hair

s t ar ed o ver D in ks h ead .

" I d on 't t rus t y ou r m is tr es s, b ut t he n, I d on' t t ru st m uc h of a ny on e s inc e m y f ir st m as te r d ie d. "

D ink s cur io si ty w as p iq ued. Wh at h ap pened t o y ou r f ir st m as ter?"

F am hair g av e an u ncharact er is ti c w hi mp er . He d ied i n b at tl e. H is p up w ou ld h av e r un m e t hr ou gh , b ut

my new master claimed me for himself."

D in ks w as u nf am il iar w it h t hat s or t o f g ri ef , h av in g h ad o nl y o ne m is tr es s. Yo u l ov ed y ou r f ir st m as ter. I

d on 't k no w w ha t I w ou ld d o i f s om et hi ng e ve r h ap pe ne d t o m y m is tr es s. "

" I h ope y ou n ev er h av e t o f ind o ut , F am ha ir c on cl ude d w it h a s ig h.

D in ks t ur ne d a ga in t o t he h um an s, k ee pi ng a w at ch fu l e ye o n t he s tr an ge r. O ne f al se m ov e a nd h e' d b e a ll

o ve r h im l ik e m ic e o n c he es e. Wh at d oe s y ou r m as te r w an t? "

" I d on 't k no w f or c er ta in . B ef or e w e g ot h er e, h e w as t al ki ng a bo ut a l eg en d. "

D in ks t ho ug ht a bo ut t ha t f or a m om en t. I t s ee me d t o s tr ik e a l on g a go m em or y. Lo ok . I d on 't l ik e y ou r

ma st er a nd you don 't c ar e f or my mi st re ss , but I ge t a f ee li ng w e' re goi ng t o be s pe ndi ng a l ot of t ime

t oge the r. W ha t s ay w e c al l a t ru ce b et we en us s o we c an w at ch t he m. H e no dd ed hi s he ad i n t he

d ir ecti on o f t he h um an s. Th ey d on 't h av e t o k no w. "

" Go od t hi nk in g. I f t he y t hi nk w e c an 't ge t a lon g, i t m ig ht k ee p t he m f rom g et ti ng t oo c lo se , a nd ou t of

trouble."

B ot h a ni ma ls s to od a nd s ho ok t he ir h ea ds . D es pi te t he f ac t t ha t F am ha ir w as a g oo d d ea l l ar ge r t ha n

D in ks , d og and cat cir cl ed each o th er w ar il y. L ow g ro wl s emanated f ro m t heir t hr oats w hi le t hey

a pp ea re d r ea dy t o b it e t he o th er 's h ea d o ff .


11/164

F am ha ir b ac ke d o ff w he n T ri st an c al le d o ut a G ae li c c om ma nd . T he c an in e s mi rk ed a nd s at b es id e t he

s tall io n l eavi ng D in ks t o s tare at h im .

* * * *

T ri st an r ai se d M er yl 's h an d t o h is l ip s, s to pp ed a m om en t t o i ss ue a c om ma nd t o t he g re at h ou nd w it ho ut

l oo ki ng b ack, t hen p ress ed a g en tl e k is s again st t he b ack o f t he l ad y' s f in gers . R el easi ng h er h an d s lo wl y,

h e s te pp ed a wa y; a s ta rt le d e xp re ss io n f la sh ed a cr os s h is f ac e. H e q ui ck ly s ch oo le d h is f ea tu re s a nd ,w it h a f lo ur is h, p re se nt ed he r wi th a r ed r os e. Th e f lo we r s ee me d t o a pp ea r o ut of n ow he re . H e f or ce d a

s mi le , t he n n od de d h is h ea d o nc e. Un ti l w e m ee t a ga in , m y l ad y. H e s te pp ed b ac k a nd g la nc ed a t t he

c at t ha t ha d r et ur ne d t o h er s ide . Tr is ta n l ea pe d o nt o hi s ho rs e' s ba ck a nd s et t he a ni ma l t o a ga ll op,

n or th a lo ng t he s ho re . T he h ou nd f el l i nt o a n e as y l op e b es id e h or se a nd r id er .

M er yl w at ch ed h im r id e a wa y, a lon g t he s ur f' s e dg e. Wa it ! W ho a re y ou ? E ve n a s s he c al le d a ft er h im

d em an di ng a n a ns we r, s he k ne w t he re w ou ld b e n on e. S he s lo wl y t wi rl ed t he r os e b et we en t wo f in ge rs ,

enj oy in g t he d el icat e f ragr an ce b ei ng r el eased o n t he b reeze. S he d id n' t l ik e t hi s s ud den i nt ru si on i nt o h er

l if e. S he f el t a s i f s he 'd s ud de nl y l os t c ont rol o f h er l if e. H e w an te d s om et hi ng f ro m h er a nd t he i de a d id n' t

s et tl e w el l. S he 'd s ho w h im s he w as n' t o ne t o p la y g am es .

S he w at ch ed m an and h or se d is ap pear i nt o t he r em ai ni ng m is t and abs en tl y t ou ch ed t he p en dant . T he

u nexp ected j ol t t hat h ad p as s ed b et ween t hem aff ect ed h er p en dant , r ad iati ng a w ar mt h t hat h ad n' t b een

t he re b ef or e. M er yl g la nc ed u p b ut t he r id er w as g on e.

" Wha t di d you d o t o i t? s he a ske d s of tl y a nd s hoo k he r he ad. S he di dn' t r ea ll y s pe nd t he l as t f ew

m in ut es t al ki ng w it h a S co tt is h w ar ri or . H ad h is p resence b een a f ig ment o f h er o veract iv e i magi nati on ?

S he d id n' t i ma gi ne t he r os e i n h er h an d, w it h i ts d el ic at e f ra gr an ce , s o h e h ad t o b e r ea l. S he d id n' t w an t

h im t o b e r ea l. S he w an te d t o c le ar a wa y a ll t ho ug ht s o f h im a nd t he d is co mf or t h is p re se nc e m ad e h er

f ee l. I ns ti nc t t ol d he r h e b ro ug ht t ro ub le w it h h im , a nd s he h ad a n u ne as y f ee li ng s he w as a bou t t o e nd u p

i n th e m iddl e of i t.

Th e bl ac k c at ga ve a l ow g row l a nd r ub be d i ts he ad a ga in st M er yl 's b ar e l eg. M er yl r ea che d dow n a nd

s cr at ch ed b eh in d D in ks e ar . Je al ou s, a re w e? N o r ea so n t o b e, m y f ri en d. S om eh ow , I d on 't t hi nk h e' ll

be back. We better head back to the house. Enchantra and Daryn are due back from their honeymoon in

a f ew da ys a nd w e s ti ll ha ve a l ot t o do. Me ryl gl anc ed on ce mo re i n t he di re ct ion t he hor se ma n ha d

t ak en , w on deri ng again i f s he' d i magi ned t he S co t' s app ear an ce. S he r epl aced t he h eadp ho nes and

s wi tc he d o n t he W al km an , t he n t ur ne d t ow ar d t he m an si on . H er p ac e q ui ck en ed a nd s he s pl as he d

t hr ou gh t he w at er . T he col d, s al ty d ro pl et s f el t g oo d again st h er b ar e s ki n i n t he r is in g m or ni ng h eat. T he

remaining mist burned off in the bright sunlight.

I ma ge s o f t he s tr an ge r c am e t o m in d, k ee pi ng p ac e w it h h er r un b ac k t o t he m an si on . S he d id n' t w an t t ot hi nk abo ut h ow t he encou nt er l ef t h er f eeli ng con fu sed. S he t ri ed t o con cent rate i ns tead , o n t he C el ti c

m us ic , w il li ng i t t o p us h a ll o th er t ho ugh ts o ut of h er m in d, b ut t he re w er e m or e s ou nds i n h er he ad t ha n

just the ancient tunes.

Metal against metal, shouting, screams of dying men, a Scottish moor littered with bodies.

M er yl s lo wed d ow n, t hen s to pp ed r un ni ng , and w in ced at t he s ig ht i n h er m in d. T he v is io n con ti nu ed .

O ne m an s to od alo ne s ur veyi ng t he car nage. H e t ur ned s lo wl y and s he h eard h im s ay s om et hi ng , b ut

c ou ld n' t m ak e o ut t he w or ds a t f ir st ; t he y w er e i n a no th er l an gu ag e. We must fi nd her now. We ne ed

t h e l e ge n d. M er yl 's b re at h c au gh t th e s tr an ge r. I nt en se g re en e ye s s ta re d a t h er . H e s ee me d t o b e

s tand in g b ef or e h er . S he b li nk ed and h e v an is hed, alo ng w it h t he r es t o f t he v is io n.

"W ho i s he a nd how did he ge t into my he ad? Why am I s ee ing t his ? Not hi ng li ke t his had e ver


12/164

h ap pe ne d t o h er b ef or e, a nd i t l ef t t oo m an y q ue st io ns w it h n o a ns we rs .

M er yl p ul le d t he p en da nt a wa y f ro m h er b od y, a s f ar a s t he d ou bl e c ha in w ou ld a ll ow , a nd s tu di ed t he

i nt ri cate d es ig n. T he d el icat el y d es ig ned s il ver w as s ti ll w ar m and s he t ri ed t o con vi nce h er self i t w as f ro m

he r o wn bod y he at , b ut kn ew t he t rut h of t he m at te r. T he s ma ll , p al e m oo ns to ne s s ee me d t o s ta re a t he r

l ik e a p ai r o f k no wi ng eyes. D iago nall y f ro m t he s to nes, t he t ur qu oi se l ay i n t he s il ver s et ti ng o f t he o th er

h al f, i t' s b lu e col or d eep and and p ul si ng w it h w ar mt h.

" I d on 't u nd er st an d w ha t' s g oi ng o n, D in ks , b ut h e' s g ot s om et hi ng t o d o w it h i t. H e d id s om et hi ng t o t he

pendant when he touched it. Meryl hesitated briefly, then gingerly tucked the pendant inside her tee shirt.

T he w ar mt h o f t he s il ve r s ee pe d i nt o h er s ki n, a wa ke ni ng n ew s en sa ti on s. H er e ye s w id en ed a t t he f ee l o f

t he l ig ht w ar mt h s pr eadi ng t hr ou gh ou t h er b od y. I t w as a p leas an t f eeli ng , l ik e b ei ng w rapp ed i n a s of t,

c oz y bl anke t, but s he t rie d to s hake it of f, fe ar ful of wha t i t mi ght do t o he r. I don't tr us t hi m; he 's

ma na ge d t o g et i nt o my he ad a nd I c an' t ge t hi m out . W ha t doe s he w ant ?"


13/164

CHAPTERTWO

T he S pe ll bi nd er h ou se w as a g ra nd o ld m an si on n o t wo g ro up s o f p eo pl e s aw t he s am e w ay . M er yl h ad

n o p ro ven exp lanati on f or t he d if ferences i n o pi ni on s. T he o ld er p eo pl e i n t ow n b el ieved t he h ou se w as

n eg lected and s ho ul d b e r azed. T he y ou ng er p eo pl e s aw an archi tect' s d ream w it h cl ean, m od er n l in es .

M er yl s aw t he h ou se t he w ay i t t ru ly e xi st ed . T he g re at m an si on w as a t l ea st t wo h un dr ed y ea rs o ld a nd

w el l k ep t. O nl y t wo y ea rs be for e, t he m os t r ec en t c oa t of p ai nt ha d b ee n a pp li ed t o t he o ut si de of t he

building. There were no termites in the basement, no wood rot anywhere. All the shutters were in place.

T hey w er e m or e t han j us t d ecor at io n; t hey w er e act uall y f un ct io nal. S om e o f t he s econ d s to ry w in do ws

w er e act uall y f rench d oo rs l eadi ng o ut t o s mall b al co ni es . E very p an e o f g lass s park led i n t he s un li gh t.

W ro ug ht i ro n r ai li ng s g uard ed t he edg es o f t he b al co ni es again st p os si bl e d is as ter. H er o wn r oo m w as

he re on t he s ou th s id e, ov er lo ok ing t he ga rd en. She h ad a lr ea dy s et ou t a w ic ke r c ha ir on he r own

balcony so she could enjoy mornings like this after her run on the beach.

T he w raparo un d v er an da, w hi ch encir cl ed t he ent ir e h ou se, w as n' t p ar t o f t he o ri gi nal s tr uctu re b ut M er yl

l ov ed i t a ny wa y. I t g av e t he h ou se a s ou th er n l oo k. S he 'd b ee n c on si de ri ng a dd in g p la nt er s o n e ac h s id eo f t he s up po rt in g p os ts . S he p ictu red m or ni ng g lo ri es cli mb in g u p t he p os ts , t ru mp et in g t he arr iv al o f t he

m or ni ng s um mer s un . G er an iu ms , m ar ig ol ds and col eu s w ou ld add col or t o t he p lant er s and a b it o f

t ra il ing i vy w oul d g iv e t he s et ti ng a s of t l oo k. S he pl an ne d t o g iv e i t m or e t ho ug ht be fo re s he m ade a f ina l

decision.

T he g ar dens w er e ano th er t hi ng . T he t ow ns fo lk t ho ug ht t he g ro un ds w er e eit her o verg ro wn w it h w eeds

o r m et ic ul ou sl y k ep t. I t d ep en de d o n w ho m y ou t al ke d t o; n ot t ha t a ny on e c am e h er e, e sp ec ia ll y w he n

S pe ll bi nd er s w er e i n r es id en ce . S he h ad t o a dm it , n o m at te r h ow t he y s aw i t, t he g ar de ns d id n ee d s om e

t en di ng . I t w as l at e s pr in g, aft er all .. .

W he n s he we nt i nt o t ow n, t he r es id ent s t en de d t o s pe ak f re el y a rou nd h er . N o o ne k ne w he r t o b e aS pe ll bi nd er . S om et im es i t w as b et te r t ha t w ay . S he h ad y et t o e ar n t he f am il y n am e a nd h er A un t

E nchant ra d id n' t b el ieve M er yl ever w ou ld . D es pi te h er age, M er yl h ad n' t y et g iv en u p all h op e. H er

t ho ug ht s d ri ft ed b ack t o r ecen t con vers at io ns t hat h ad g on e o n aro un d h er . T he t ow ns fo lk b el ieved t hi ng s

h ad b ee n t oo q ui et u p o n t he h il l. T he y s po ke i n c on sp ir at or ia l w hi sp er s a bo ut t he s tr an ge g oi ng s o n w he n

t he o wn er w as a ro un d. T he y d id n' t k no w t he o wn er w ou ld a rr iv e s oo n or o wn er s, p lu ra l. M er yl h op ed

t ha t p ar ti cu la r p ro bl em h ad b ee n s ol ve d w it h t he n ew m ar ri ag e. I f n ot , s he d id n' t w an t t o t hi nk a bo ut t he

problems in store for everyone. One thing she was sure of ... when Enchantra returned, it wouldn't be

quiet for long.

* * * *

M er yl m an ag ed t o k ee p t ho ug ht s o f t he s tr an ge r a t b ay . S he d id n' t w an t t o t hi nk a bo ut h is s ho ul de r l en gt h

black hair with its warrior braid, or his deep green eyes, the way they looked at her. She didn't want to

r em em be r h ow h is c ou rt ly m an ne r l ef t h er f lu st er ed . F or t he l as t f ew d ay s, s he 'd s ta ye d a wa y f ro m t he

beach, half hoping he would give up and go away. She gathered up her loose hair and tied it at the back

of he r ne ck, t he n w ent of f t o t he ga rde n.

S he l ov ed t he f ee l o f t he s oi l. I t f el t c ru mb ly b ut no t r ea ll y d ry . I t s me ll ed . .. e ar th y. S he g ri nn ed a t h er

r ed un da nt c ho ic e o f w or ds . T he c lu mp s o f e ar th w er e d ar k a nd r ic h, w ar m f ro m t he s un . I f s he 'd b ee n

a bl e t o, s he w ou ld h av e g iv en t he f er ti li ze r a l it tl e b oo st . T hi s y ea r, s he w as i n a h ur ry t o s ee t he g ar de n

thrive.

A p ri ck ly s en sa ti on r an u p h er s pi ne . S he s en se d s om eo ne h id in g i n t he w oo ds , n ot t hi rt y f ee t a wa y,

w at ch in g h er . S he l oo ke d i n t he d ir ec ti on w he re t he s ou rc e s ee me d s tr on ge st . T he d en se w oo ds l et


14/164

t hr ou gh l it tl e s un li gh t; every th in g r em ai ned cas t i n s hado w, m ak in g i t h ar d t o t el l w here s om eo ne cou ld b e

h id in g. P in e n eedl es b lank et ed t he g ro un d i n a l ig ht b ro wn cov er in g, and eas il y m uf fl ed f oo ts teps . S he

cou ld h ear D in ks r un ni ng t hr ou gh t he l ow b ru sh . W hy d id n' t h e s en se any on e t here? N ot hi ng els e m ov ed .

M er yl b eg an t o t hi nk h er i magi nati on w as w or ki ng o vert im e; i t' d b een s om e t im e s in ce s he'd b een at t he

mansion alone.

" I c an f ee l e ye s on m e a nd I don' t l ike i t, s he m ut te re d.

M er yl j um pe d a f oo t w he n a h an d t ou ch ed h er s ho ul de r. S he f el l b ac kw ar d, s ca re d s il ly , a nd g la nc ed u p

a t t he i nt ru de r. A p ix ie f ac e s ur ro un de d b y l on g b lo nd h ai r g ri nn ed d ow n a t h er . M er yl c lo se d h er e ye s

when she recognized the visitor.

" Lo rd , C ar a, y ou j us t t oo k t en y ea rs o ff m y l if e. M y he ar t' s r ac in g l ik e a t ho ro ug hb re d r un ni ng t he

K en tu ck y D er by . S he p au sed, t oo k a d eep b reath , and s lo wl y exh al ed . Next t im e, k in dl y ann ou nce

y ou rs el f. M er yl l oo ked d ow n at t he m an gl ed p lant i n h er h an d and s ig hed.

C ar a l au gh ed . I d id . A pp ar en tl y y ou w er e t oo a bs or be d i n y ou r g ar de ni ng t o h ea r m e. W ha t w er e y ou

saying about eyes?"

M er yl g la nc ed u p a t h er b es t f ri en d b ef or e a ns we ri ng . T he t wo y ou ng w om en h ad b ee n f ri en ds f or w ha t

s ee me d f or ev er . M er yl c ou ld n' t r ec al l a t im e w he n o ne o r b ot h o f t he m w er en 't u p t o m is ch ie f. C ar a' s

i nn ocen t l oo k b el ied h er abi li ty f or g et ti ng i nt o t ro ub le. S he h ad n' t y et r eali zed t he p ot en ti al o f w hat s he

w ou ld b e a nd M er yl w on de re d h ow h er b es t f ri en d w ou ld r ea ct w he n s he f in al ly f ac ed t ha t r ea li ty . S he

hope d she wa s a round to s ee i t.

C ar a w as a p et it e w om an , s ma ll er t ha n M er yl . N o o ne w ou ld h av e b el ie ve d h er t o b e a ny th in g b ut a

t eenager, and s he u sed t he o pi ni on t o f ul l adv an tage. H er b lu e eyes t wi nk led w it h m er ri ment w hi le s he

w ai te d f or M er yl t o r es po nd t o h er q ue st io n. T he s ma ll u pt ur ne d n os e a nd b ow s ha pe d m ou th c om pl et ed

t he p ix ie-l ik e f eatu res. H er s ki n h ad a r os y g lo w M er yl env ied. C ar a' s g ray o vers ized s weat sh ir t h id h er s li gh t f rame. I n con tr as t, h er s nu g f it ti ng j eans emp hasi zed h er s li m f ig ur e. M er yl f el t l ik e a g iant n ex t t o

her.

S in ce t hey h ad d is co vered cer tain com mo n element s i n t heir l iv es , t hey h ad b ecom e alm os t i ns ep ar ab le.

O nl y C ar a' s o ccas io nal j ou rn ey s p ut d is t an ce b et ween t he t wo f ri en ds .

" Well , are y ou g oi ng t o ans wer m y q uest io n? C ar a ask ed again , h er i mp at ience s ho wi ng .

" An sw er w ha t? M er yl a sk ed i nn oc en tl y. S he g ot u p a nd d us te d t he d ir t f ro m h er o wn j ea ns a nd l oo ke d

a t h er f ri en d. S he k ne w o nl y t oo w el l h ow C ar a h at ed t o h av e a q ue st io n a ns we re d w it h a no th er

question.

" Yo u w er e s ay in g s om et hi ng abo ut eyes w hen I cam e u p b eh in d y ou ."

"Oh. That... Meryl shrugged it off as nothing important.

"Y es , t ha t. Are you going t o t el l me or not ?"

" I' d s ay no t, b ut I k now y ou' ll ke ep b ad ge ri ng me u nt il yo u f ina ll y g et a n a ns we r. "

" Yo u' ve g ot t ha t r ig ht . S o, t el l m e w ha t y ou m ea nt . C ar a h ad n ev er r ea ll y l ea rn ed p at ie nc e, a t l ea st n ot

w he re M er yl a nd s ec re ts w er e c on ce rn ed .

M er yl g la nc ed b ac k t o t he t re es a nd s po tt ed D in ks r ac in g a cr os s t he b la nk et o f p in e n ee dl es . T he f ee li ng

o f b ei ng w at ch ed f ad ed . I f s om eo ne h ad b ee n h id in g a mo ng t he t re es , s ur el y t he c at w ou ld h av e w ar ne d


15/164

t he m o ff . H is p er ce iv ed s iz e a lo ne w ou ld b e e no ug h t o s ca re a ny on e.

" I d on 't k now , s he s ai d f ina ll y, a lm os t i n a w hi spe r. A f ew m inu te s a go , I f el t s om eo ne s ta ri ng a t m e,

s om eo ne w ho d id n' t w an t m e t o k no w t he y w er e t he re . I d on 't u nd er st an d w hy D in ks d id n' t s en se i t. "

" He 's t oo b us y e nj oy in g h is f re ed om a t t he m om en t, f ro m w ha t I c an s ee . C ar a l oo ke d u p a nd w at ch ed

t he cat d iv e i nt o s om e u nd er br us h. Mayb e y ou i magi ned i t?"

" Mayb e, M er yl h es it an tl y agr eed, t hen chang ed t he s ub ject . I h av e t o g et w eeds p ul led b ef or e t hey

c hok e o ut t he h er bs . G iv e m e a h an d w it h i t t he n w e' ll h av e s om et hi ng c ol d t o d ri nk ."

B ot h y ou ng w om en w or ke d s id e b y s id e, i n s il en ce f or a f ew m om en ts . T he y t ur ne d o ve r d ir t a nd p ul le d

w ee ds , t he n p la ce d s ee dl in gs i nt o t he d ar k s oi l, t am pi ng d ow n t he e ar th t o s ec ur e t he m i n t he ir n ew

h om e. T hi s w as s om et hi ng n ew t o C ar a a nd s he g la nc ed a t h er f ri en d, t he n g av e t he s oi l a ro un d h er

seedling a final pat.

" Si nce w hen h av e y ou b een i nt er es ted i n h er bs ?"

" Si nc e . .. I d on 't k no w. I s up po se m y r ec en t t ri p p iq ue d m y c ur io si ty . I t' s a ma zi ng w ha t d if fe re nt h er bs

c an do , be si de s s pi ce f oo ds . M er yl c augh t t he gl ea m i n Ca ra 's e ye s a t t he me nt ion o f f oo d. N o o ne

w ou ld h av e g uess ed h ow m uch t he b lo nd l ov ed t o exp er im en t w it h coo ki ng . M er yl s ig hed. C ar a w ou ld

n ev er ha ve a w ei ght p rob le m. E ve n a t a ge f if ty , s he w ou ld s ti ll l oo k l ik e a t ee na ge r.

W hen t hey f in is hed p lant in g t he n ew h er bs and p ul li ng o ld w eeds , t hey g at hered t he g ar den t oo ls and

w en t i nt o t he k it ch en f or t he p ro mi sed d ri nk s.

* * * *

T ri st an w at ch ed f ro m a d is tance, w el l h id den i n t he s hado ws w it hi n t he t reel in e. F or a m om en t, h e

t ho ug ht t he n ew co me r m ig ht p os e a t hr ea t t o t he y ou ng w om an t en di ng t he g ar de n. H e t oo k a s te p

backward, reminding himself he couldn't interfere ... Not yet. He watched carefully and decided the

n ew co me r p os ed n o p ro bl em , a ft er a ll . T he y s ee me d t o b e c lo se f ri en ds .

I t ha d t ake n hi m s om e t im e t o l oc at e M er yl . The ir me et ing a f ew da ys a go, ha dn' t be en c ha nc e; he ha d

w at ch ed h er and p lann ed car ef ul ly . T he r es ul t o f t heir f ir st m eeti ng h ad b een u nexp ected. H e d id n' t

u nd er st an d t he n, o r n ow , w hy h e c ou ld n' t l oo k a wa y f ro m h er . H e r em em be re d f ee li ng a s t ho ug h s he h ad

pulled the breath from him as their eyes had locked in that strange moment of attraction. He had a sinking

f eeli ng s om eo ne f or go t t o t el l h im s om et hi ng b ef or e h e s et o ut o n t hi s q uest .

H e g la nc ed a bo ut t he t hi ck t re es , l is te ni ng . F am ha ir 's e ar s w er e a ls o t un ed t o t he s ou nd , a nd h e

g ru mb led. T ri st an w as n' t s ur e i f t he d og w as w ar ni ng o f t he i mp en di ng i nt ru der, o f i f h e com pl ai ned at n ot

being allowed to run after it. Meryl's cat was crashing through the underbrush, chasing who knew what. It

s ur pr is ed h im t he ani mal h ad n' t s en sed h is o r F am hair 's p resence y et . T ri st an k new h e i nt ru ded o n p ri vate

l and again bu t h e h ad t o c om pl et e h is m is si on . T he re w as n' t a l ot o f t im e l ef t t o d o w ha t n ee de d t o b e

d on e. H e c ou ld n' t a pp ro ac h t he g ir l a ga in , e sp ec ia ll y n ow t ha t s he h ad c om pa ny , b ut i t w ou ld h av e t o b e

s oon. H e r es te d a ha nd l ight ly on t he di rk s he ath ed i n hi s be lt, l is te ni ng t o a l ow gr owl f rom a c at . He 'd

best leave before the animal discovered where he was. He gave the dog a hand signal to follow. Tristan

kn ew t he re w as a r ea son h e di dn' t c ar e f or c at s. G la nc in g onc e mo re a t t he t wo y oun g wo me n, h e t ur ne d

a nd f ad ed i nt o t he f or es t' s s ha do ws .

* * * *

C ar a alw ay s m ad e h er self at h om e i n t he S pell bi nd er h ou se. S he r um maged abo ut t he r ef ri gerato r, p ul ledo ut t wo c an s o f s od a a nd a t ra y o f i ce c ub es . B ei ng i n t hi s k it ch en b ro ug ht b ac k p le as an t m em or ie s, t im es

w he n s he a nd M er yl s at h er e w it h t he ir h om ew or k, l oo ki ng f or e xc us es t o n ot g et i t d on e. S he s mi le d.


16/164

M er yl w as he d h er h an ds a nd s ta re d o ut t he w in do w a bo ve t he k it ch en s in k. S he l ov ed t he p ea ce a nd

q ui et o f t he p ro pe rt y a nd r ea li ze d h ow m uc h s he 'd m is se d i t. A k in d o f m ag ic e xi st ed a bo ut t he p la ce

w hi ch h ad n ot hi ng t o d o w it h A un t E nchant ra.

D ay li gh t f ad ed t o b lack l eavi ng h er f lo at in g i n a s ea o f n ot hi ng ness . W hat w as h ap peni ng ? S he cou ld h ear

i t again , j us t l ik e t he m or ni ng o n t he b each . T he s ou nd o f clash in g m et al f il led h er m in d t he s ou nd o f

s wo rd s? S he h ea rd a w hi mp er in g a nd s aw t he s tr an ge r' s h ug e d og i n a p ro te ct iv e c ro uc h o ve r a b od y.O th er m en w er e w ou nd ed . S he w an te d t o f le e f ro m t he v is io n b ut c ou ld n' t m ov e. S he h ea rd t he m s cr ea m

i n pa in . She kn ew t he y w er e d yi ng , but t he y w er e s o f ar a wa y, a nd s he di dn' t ha ve t he c ou ra ge t o r un

f ro m t he h or ro r. S he w as r oo te d w he re s he s to od , b ut s he h ad t o d o s om et hi ng . S om eon e s po ke o f a

w om an . A f am il iar v oi ce w hi sp er ed i n h er ear ; a p leas an t v oi ce, d eep and h yp no ti c.

T he w or ds r ep ea te d i n h er m in d, l ik e a n e ch o, I will come for you soon. We need you." The slamming

o f t he r ef ri ge ra to r d oo r j ol te d M er yl b ac k t o t he p re se nt . Wh er e w er e y ou j us t n ow ? C ar a g ri nn ed ,

t he n p la ce d i ce c ub es i n t wo t al l g la ss es a nd s lo wl y p ou re d s od a o ve r t he m. T he l iq ui d a ga in st t he i ce

c re at ed a t hi ck f oa m. C ar a w ai te d f or i t t o s et tl e b ef or e f il li ng t he g la ss es .

" Do n' t k no w, M er yl m ut tered. S he h es it at ed a m om en t t hen add ed m or e clear ly . I h av e a f eeli ng I 'ma bou t t o f ac e s ome thi ng I m ay not b e r ea dy f or ."


17/164

CHAPTERTHREE

"Do you think he could be the one? a male voice asked.

" Pe rh aps , a f em al e r es po nd ed . I s ens ed a c ha ng e i n h er pe nd ant . He ma y be t he on e t o gu ide h er , bu t

w e w il l w ai t a nd s ee w ha t b ec om es o f t he ir n ex t m ee ti ng . S he r em ai ne d s il en t f or a m om en t t he n a dd ed , Ti me i s g ro wi ng s ho rt . T he re a re e ne mi es w ho w il l s oo n b e a wa re o f h er p re se nc e a nd a tt em pt t o s to p

h er b ef or e s he t ak es h er r ig ht fu l p lace."

" Th en w e s ho ul d h el p h er , t he m al e i ns is ted.

" No . T o h el p h er n ow i s t o b ri ng u nw an te d a tt en ti on t o h er . T ha t w ou ld d ef ea t o ur g oa l. S he m us t s ur vi ve

o n h er o wn . S he m us t p ro ve h er self w or th y. "

"And him?"

"He may be chosen to guide her, but anything more ... We will have to wait and see."

* * * *

M er yl w al ked alo ng t he b each t o clear h er h ead o f all t he con fu si ng t ho ug ht s. E nchant ra w ou ld b e

u nh ap py t o f in d t he h ou se n ot r ea dy w he n s he r et ur ne d f ro m h er h on ey mo on b ut M er yl h ad n o w or ri es

o n t ha t s co re . W ha t d id b ot he r h er w er e c on st an t t ho ug ht s o f t he h an ds om e s tr an ge r f il li ng he r m in d. H e

h au nt ed h er d ay and n ig ht an d s he d id n' t even k no w h is n am e.

T he col or fu l s un ri se f ai led t o p en et rate h er t ho ug ht s. P each , ameth ys t and g ol d r ib bo ns i n t he d aw n s ky

f ad ed w it h t he b ri ll ia nc e o f t he r is in g s un . T he hu ge o rb p us he d i ts el f o ut o f t he s ea , bu t t he g or ge ou s

s un ri se c ou ld n' t r ep la ce a p ai r o f e me ra ld g re en e ye s o r a s et o f d im pl es .

D in ks c ha se d s ea g ul ls s co ur in g t he s ho re f or t he ir b re ak fa st . T he c at w ou ld n ev er l ea rn t o l ea ve t he b ir dsa lo ne . O ne g oo d t hr us t o f a s ha rp b ea k c ou ld d o s er io us d am ag e h e w ou ld n' t e as il y f or ge t. Di nk s,

y ou 'r e ask in g f or t ro ub le, s he w ar ned h im as h e con ti nu ed t o h ar as s t he b ir ds . M er yl f in al ly t ur ned away

f ro m h er p et a nd c on si de re d e ve nt s o f t he p re vi ou s d ay . Y es te rd ay h ad b ee n s tr an ge t o s ay t he l ea st .

S he h ad g on e t o t ow n t o d o s om e s ho pp in g a nd s to pp ed t o a dm ir e a n e ig ht ee nt h c en tu ry g ow n o n

d is pl ay i n t he w in do w o f t he d re ss ma ke r' s s ho p. T he g ow n w as a g or ge ou s r ep li ca . S he s tu di ed t he

d et ai le d w or k o f l ac e, a nd e mb ro id er y, a nd w as s ta rt le d t o s ee h is f ac e r ef le ct ed i n t he w in do w. M er yl

s pun a ro un d t o de ma nd w hy he f ol low ed he r. No o ne s to od be hi nd h er . Sh e gl an ce d a bou t f or a pl ac e

h e m ay h av e h id de n b ut f ou nd n ot hi ng . T he re w er e n o d ee pl y r ec es se d d oo rw ay s, a nd m os t s ho ps h ad

picture windows, allowing passersby to look into the businesses. She turned back to the window, where

h is r ef lect io n r em ai ned a m om en t l on ger, t hen v an is hed. T hi nk in g abo ut i t n ow , s he f el t g oo se b um ps r ai se

o n h er a rm s, a nd s he s te el ed h er se lf a ga in st t he s hi ve r.

C ou ld h e b e a m ag ic ia n? A no th er o ne i n t ow n c ou ld m ea n t ro ub le . T he t ow ns fo lk t ol er at ed t he

S pell bi nd er s, b ut t he f am il y h ad b een aro un d f or ages as h ad E nchant ra's n ew h us band 's f am il y. N ow

t he y w ou ld h av e t o t ol er at e t he t wo a t t he s am e t im e. B ut a s tr an ge r? N ot l ik el y.

M er yl f el t u ns et tl ed b y t he r ef lect io n and t ri ed t o s hr ug i t o ff as h er i magi nati on w or ki ng o vert im e again . I

s up pos e I 'd be st h ea d b ac k t o t he m an si on a nd ge t s om e w or k d one . D ink s! C om e! T im e t o g o ba ck. "

B ei ng h om e d id n ot hi ng t o d is pell t he con st an t eer ie f eeli ng s. M er yl k icked at t he i ncom in g w av e i n

f ru st ra ti on , t he n s ta re d a t t he c ol d s ea wa te r l ap pi ng o ve r h er b ar e f ee t. D in ks r et ur ne d, b ut w ai te d o n t he

d ry s an d f or h is m is tr es s. M er yl r ea ch ed u p t o p ut h er h ea dp ho ne s i n p la ce . H op ef ul ly , a r ou si ng C el ti c


18/164

t un e w ou ld i mp ro ve h er m oo d a nd p ut t hi ng s i n p er sp ec ti ve . S he h oo ke d t he W al km an t o t he w ai st ba nd

o f he r j ea ns a nd de pr es se d a b ut to n t o s ta rt t he t ap e r ol li ng .

D es pi te h er n ea rn es s t o t he w at er , D in ks b ou nd ed t o h er s id e a nd p us he d h is w ei gh t a ga in st h er l eg s.

Di nk s, s to p t ha t! M er yl g la nc ed u p, s ta rt le d t o f in d s he h ad c om pa ny . S he n ei th er h ea rd n or s aw t he

S co ts man app ro ach. H is m ou nt s to od at t he w at er li ne and t he d og r em ai ned b y i ts s id e, s it ti ng o n f ir ml y

packed sand.

" Yo u n ev er t ol d m e y ou r n am e, s he p ou te d, a nd c ou ld h av e k ic ke d h er se lf f or s ou nd in g p et ul an t. I t w as

h is f au lt . H e m ad e h er u nc om fo rt ab le , s ta ri ng a t h er t he w ay h e d id , a s i f s he w er e a f av or it e d es se rt .

H er g az e l oc ke d w it h h is , h is g re en e ye s h ol di ng a h in t o f a mu se me nt . H e t oo k t he h ea dp ho ne s f ro m h er

and l eaned f or ward s li gh tl y t o l is ten f or a m om en t.

M er yl 's k ne es t hr ea te ne d t o b ec om e a s f lu id a s t he w av es w as hi ng o ve r h er f ee t. S he b ro ke f re e o f h is

s tare and f lu sh ed w it h emb ar rass ment , t hen f ro wn ed and t hr us t h er h an ds again st h er h ip s, t ry in g t o

compose herself.

H e h el d o ut t he h ea ds et t o he r a nd s he t oo k i t q ui ck ly , a lm os t s na tc hi ng i t f ro m h is h an d.

" I d on 't s up po se I d id . H e s mi le d a ga in a nd a lm os t l au gh ed w he n M er yl l oo ke d a wa y q ui ck ly . H e l ik ed

h er r ea ct io n b et te r t ha n w he n t he y' d f ir st m et . H e d id n' t t hi nk s he w as n ai ve , b ut n ei th er w as s he w or ld ly

w is e. T he r os y b lu sh b ec am e h er . Wa lk w it h m e. H e t ur ne d a wa y a nd s tr ol le d a lo ng t he s an d,

expecting her to follow him without question.

D in ks k ep t h is d is tance, n ev er s tr ay in g f ar f ro m h is m is tr es s. H e w at ch ed t he s tr an ger w ho i ns is ted o n

intruding in his mistress world and subtly demanded her full attention. Dinks ignored Famhair who stayed

by the horse. The stallion trailed behind the couple, leaving deep imprints in the wet sand. The hoofmarks

q ui ck ly f il led w it h f oamy w at er as each w av e cov er ed i t, s mo ot hi ng o ut t he w et s an d a l it tl e m or e, u nt ilt he m ar ks f in al ly d is ap pear ed . P lo vers s cat tered o ut o f t he cou pl e' s w ay . D in ks cou ld t el l F am hair w as

t em pt ed t o c ha se a ft er t he s ma ll b ir ds , b ut t he w el l- tr ai ne d d og k ep t h is p ac e b es id e t he h or se .

" My n am e i s T ri st an . H e b ow ed s li gh tl y w it h t he i nt ro du ct io n. I com e f ro m ano th er p lace and t im e. H e

paused, half expecting her to respond to the last comment. The silence between them grew

u ncom fo rt ab le. H e w at ch ed h er s tari ng d ow nw ar d as t hey s tr ol led p ar al lel t o t he s ho reli ne.

M er yl gl anc ed up a t hi m, he r e ye br ows r ai se d i n doubt . She t ri ed t o f igur e out why he s ee me d t o b e

c ho os in g h is w or ds v er y c ar ef ul ly . W ha t d id h e h av e t o h id e? N ot t ha t w ha t h e w as s ay in g m ad e a ny

s en se t o h er . A no th er t im e a nd p la ce ? W ho d id h e t hi nk h e w as k id di ng ?

"Tell me something about yourself, he prompted.

" Tr is ta n. N ic e na me . I t c an m ea n s or ro wf ul o r n oi sy . W hi ch a re y ou ? I t w as h er t ur n t o i gn or e h is

q ue st io n. S he k ne w h e w as t ry in g t o n ot g iv e h er t im e t o c on si de r w ha t h e' d j us t t ol d h er . T wo c ou ld p la y

t he s am e g am e. S he w as j us t a s d et er mi ne d t o n ot l et h im c on tr ol t he c on ve rs at io n.

" An d i t als o m eans a k ni gh t. "

" Well , y ou cer tain ly d on 't l oo k u nh ap py , s o y ou m us t b e a n oi sy k ni gh t. "

T ri st an l au gh ed , app reci at in g h er s en se o f h um or . I' ve d on e m y s hare o f h el l r ai si ng . N ow , t el l m e abo ut

yourself, your family."

" No th in g t o t el l. N ev er k ne w e it he r o f m y p ar en ts . M y g ra nd mo th er r ai se d m e f or a s ho rt t im e a nd w he n


19/164

s he d ie d, E nc ha nt ra b ec am e m y g ua rd ia n. I 'm o f a n a ge I n o l on ge r n ee d a g ua rd ia n a nd m y a un t r ec en tl y

m ar ri ed , s o m y l if e i s m y o wn n ow . M er yl di dn' t l ike t he w ay s he f el t c om pe ll ed t o a ns we r h is q ue st ion s.

T ri st an con si dered t hat b it o f i nf or mati on and w as s at is fi ed i t f it i nt o h is p lans . I f h er l if e h el d n o i nt im at e

t ie s, t he n n o o ne w ou ld m is s h er f or a w hi le i f s he s ud de nl y d is ap pe ar ed. T he y s to pp ed w al ki ng w he n

t hey r each ed t he f oo t o f t he cli ff b eh in d t he m an si on . T ri st an t ucked w ay ward s tr an ds o f b lack h ai r

behind her ear. Then, out of nowhere, he offered a pale pink rose, its petals tipped with a hint of deeperpink.

" Th is p oo r r os e d oe sn 't c om pa re t o t he b lu sh o f y ou r c he ek . H e d ec la re d g al la nt ly , a nd s li d t he s of t

petals along her jaw, then paused a moment. I must go, my lady fair. If you like, I will return."

M er yl n od de d, e nt ra nc ed . If y ou w an t. S he s en se d a v ag ue r es tl es sn es s a bo ut h im a nd w on de re d i f i t

h ad a nyt hi ng t o d o w it h h er c au ti ou s a tt it ud e. H e i nt ri gu ed h er , b ut a t t he s am e t im e s he f el t w ar y, w ar ni ng

h er t o k ee p s om e d is ta nc e b et we en t he m. H e w as n' t b ei ng t ot al ly o pe n w it h h er .

" Go od d ay t o y ou , m y l ad y. "

Me ryl le ft h im a t t he foo t of t he c li ff a nd c li mbe d t he s te ep pa th t o t he t op. She tu rne d t o gl anc e be low .

H e wa s go ne . H e ha d t o be a wi za rd or s om et hi ng , t o di sa ppe ar s o q ui ckl y a nd c om pl et el y. Sh e

s ea rc he d t he be ac h, b ut f oun d no t ra ce o f ma n, ho rs e o r ho un d, a nd no thi ng t o s how t he y' d e ve r be en

t he re . E ve n h oo f p ri nt s i n t he w et s an d w er e g on e. T he re w as n ot hi ng , e xc ep t f or t he r os e. S he s lo wl y

t wi rl ed t he f lo wer b et ween h er f in gers and s mi led. H e w as m os t i nt er es ti ng , b ut s he w as n' t abo ut t o adm it

it aloud.

* * * *

D ay s l at er , M er yl s tared w is tf ul ly o ut i nt o t he m or ni ng r ai n. C ar a s at w it h h er o n t he s helt er ed v er an da,

enj oy in g h ot cho co late. T he t reat s ui ted t he w eath er p er fect ly .

C ar a s ig hed. Th in k I 'l l d ye m y h ai r g reen and b uy s om e r eall y crazy clo th es ."

" Th at 's n ic e. M er yl c on ti nu ed t o s ta re a t t he w oo ds .

" Ok ay , M er yl , C ar a s lapp ed h er f ree h an d again st t he arm o f h er chair , s tart li ng h er com pani on . Let' s

h av e i t. S om et hi ng 's b ee n d is tr ac ti ng y ou s in ce I g ot h er e. Y ou h av en 't h ea rd a w or d I 'v e s ai d i n t he l as t

ten minutes."

M er yl b lu sh ed . S he d id a l ot o f t ha t l at el y. S he c ou ld n' t d ec id e w he th er o r n ot t o t el l h er b es t f ri en d. A ft er

a ll , s he h ad n o i de a h ow t he s it ua ti on wo ul d t ur n o ut , a nd s ome s ec re ts we re ha rd t o s ha re .

C ar a' s eyes w id en ed w it h s ud den u nd er st an di ng . Th er e' s a m an i n y ou r l if e! s he s qu ealed w it h d el ig ht . It 's a bo ut t im e, g ir l. T el l m e a ll t he j ui cy d et ai ls . S he l ea ne d t ow ar d h er be st f ri en d. Wa it a m in ut e . ..

t he r os es ? M er yl n od de d. Do I k no w h im ?"

" Ok ay ! O ka y! M er yl l au gh ed . No , y ou d on 't k no w h im . H e' s n ot f ro m a ro un d h er e. I m et h im o n t he

beach."

" Fo r g oo dn es s s ak e, d on 't t ru st h im . I m ea n, h e c ou ld b e a s er ia l k il le r f or a ll y ou k no w. C ar a' s s ud de n

d is ap pr ov al s ta rt le d M er yl . H er w ar ni ng c am e o ut j us t a s s tr on gl y a s h er s ta te d d es ir e t o k no w w ha t w as

going on.

" Th an ks f or t he v ot e o f con fi dence. A ny way, I d on 't q ui te t ru st h im . H e w an ts s om et hi ng . M er yl t ur nedt o h er f ri en d. Do n' t l oo k a t m e l ik e t ha t, s he l au gh ed , t he n b ec am e s er io us a ga in . I d on 't s en se a ny th in g

predatory about himand you know I'm a pretty good judge of character. She stared out into the


20/164

pouring rain, as if mesmerized by its steady rhythm. Not to worry, Dinks is always with me, and you

k no w h ow h e g et s o n w it h s tr an ge rs ."

T he c at l az il y r ai se d h is h ea d, b li nk ed a nd y aw ne d b ro ad ly , s ho wi ng o ff a s et o f v er y s ha rp t ee th .

" Ye ah. I k now . He 's not a ny or di na ry c at . H e d oe sn' t e xa ct ly l ik e m e e it he r, a nd yo u a nd I ha ve k now n

e ac h o th er f or ev er . C ar a n od de d. S he l oo ke d d ow n a t t he p an th er -l ik e c at , s tr et ch ed o ut o n t he o th er s id e o f M er yl . O nc e a ga in h e s le pt s ou nd ly , o bl iv io us o f t he r ai n a nd t he h um an s. A t l ea st h e s ee me d t o

be sleeping soundlyCara had her doubts.

" He g av e y ou t he r os es . T he s tr an ge r, I m ea n, n ot D in ks . W ha t' s w it h t he c ol or ?"

M er yl s hr ug ged. No th in g I k no w o f. A ny way, h e h as n' t s ai d m uch abo ut h im self , b ut h e i s cur io us abo ut

m y p en dant . I 'v e g ot a f eeli ng h e k no ws s om et hi ng I s ho ul d k no w. "

" Th at 's no t s ay in g m uc h. W ha t' s he l oo k l ik e? A t l ea st t el l m e t ha t. "

" Bl ac k h ai r d ow n t o h er e, M er yl s ug ge st ed a l en gt h j us t b el ow h er s ho ul de r. Wi th a s id e b ra id l ik e t he

m ed ie va l w ar ri or s w or e. H e h as t he g re en es t e ye s I h av e e ve r s ee n. A nd d im pl es . S he l au gh ed . I

couldn't believe the dimples!"

C ar a s ig he d. He s ou nd s a lm os t p er fe ct . I s ho ul d b e s o l uc ky ."

" Ye ah , h e d oe s. A lm os t t oo p er fe ct , I t hi nk ."

" If y ou d ecid e y ou d on 't w an t h im , s en d h im m y w ay . C ar a h in ted i mp is hl y.

T he r ai n f el l h ar der, add in g t o p ud dl es and s pl as hi ng o n t he v er an da's w oo d r ai li ng s. Mi gh t as w el l g o

i ns id e. T hi s i sn 't g oi ng t o l et u p any ti me s oo n. D in ks s to od and s tr et ch ed l azil y, t hen f ol lo wed t he g ir ls

i nt o t he h ou se.

" Me ryl ? Ca ra a rr ive d i n t he k it che n f ir st a nd s ta re d a t t he t ab le , but ke pt a s af e di st anc e f rom i t. A p al e

pink rose lay in the center of the table, its soft petals touched by raindrops. How did that get here?"

M er yl c he ck ed t he f lo or a ro un d t he k it ch en d oo r a nd f ou nd i t d ry . T he k it ch en d oo r w as b ol te d. He

d id n' t g et i n t hi s w ay a nd w e w er e s it ti ng b y t he f ro nt d oo r. A ny wa y, D in ks w ou ld h av e k no wn . H e' s

better than a watch dog any day."

" Do yo u t hi nk your s tr an ge r c oul d be a wi tc h or a wi za rd? The i de a f as ci na te d Ca ra a nd s et h er

imagination in a whirl of possibility.

" No t l ik el y. M er yl p la ce d t he r os e i n t he v as e w it h t he o th er t wo . W ha t d id h e w an t f ro m h er ?

* * * *

T hr ee d ay s p as sed and t he r ai n con ti nu ed i nt er mi tt en tl y. T he g ray d ay s w er e d ep ress in g and k ep t M er yl

i ns id e. S he b us ie d h er se lf w it h ge tt in g t he h ou se r ea dy f or he r a un t' s r et ur n, a nd s ti ll h ad t im e t o w on de r

h ow a r os e a pp ea re d e ac h m or ni ng . T he p et al s w er e s of te r t ha n v el ve t, a nd t ip pe d w it h r ai nd ro ps . E ac h

n ig ht s he d ream ed o f r os e b ou qu et s h id in g l au gh in g g reen eyes, a b ro ad s mi le and d im pl es . H er t ho ug ht s

w ar re d w it h o ne a no th er . H er c ur io si ty b eg ge d t o k no w m or e a bo ut T ri st an , w hi le h er s en se o f c au ti on

w ar ne d h er n ot t o t ru st h im .

S he k ep t h er se lf b us y d ur ing t he d ay , no t w an ti ng t o g iv e a ny t ho ug ht t o h im . W he n s he d id t hi nk a bo ut

h im , w hi ch t ur ne d o ut t o b e m os t o f t he t im e, s he d ec id ed s he l ik ed t he m ed ie va l s oun di ng na me a nd

w is hed s he k new s om et hi ng m or e abo ut t he m an .


21/164

F or t he f ir st t im e i n a lm os t a w ee k, t he e ar ly m or ni ng s ky c le ar ed, a nd b ri gh t s un sh in e w ar me d t he

s oa ke d e ar th . T he h er b g ar de n n ee de d w or k; t he w ee ds h ad g ro wn l ik e, w el l, w ee ds . M er yl w as n' t i n

t he mood t o pla y i n t he mud, s o t he ga rde ni ng would ha ve t o wa it unt il t he gr ound dr ie d out a bi t. Ma ny

h er bs a nd f lo we rs a pp ea re d b at te re d f ro m t he o cc as io na l d ow np ou r. M er yl w an te d t o r un , t o f ee l t he

w ar m s un on h er f ac e a nd s and b ene at h h er f ee t. Sh e c al le d t o D ink s a nd t og et he r t he y d es ce nde d t he

path behind the mansion, down to the beach.

H e w as w ai ti ng t he re , w at ch ing t he t id e a s i f c on te mp la ti ng t he m ys te ri es o f t he s ea . H e t ur ne d h is b ac k

t o t he w at er a s s he a pp ro ac he d a nd p at te d t he d ee rh ou nd 's s ho ul de r. D id h e e ve r g o a ny wh er e w it ho ut

t he d og ? I t w as n' t a f ai r q ue st io n, r ea ll y, w he n s he r ar el y w en t a ny wh er e w it ho ut D in ks . H ow c ou ld t he

w ar ri or h av e b ee n s o s ur e s he w ou ld be o n t he be ac h n ow ? W as h e a m in dr ea de r a s w el l? T he re we re

m ys te ri es , a nd t he re w er e m ys te ri es . M er yl c ou ld n' t d ec id e h ow s he f el t a bo ut t hi s o ne . S he d id k no w t he

s ig ht o f h im a lw ay s m ad e h er h ea rt b ea t f as te r, a nd n ow w as n o e xc ep ti on t o t ha t o bs er va ti on . S he

c au ght he r b re at h w hi le D in ks s hi ed a wa y f ro m t he m an a nd h is h or se , n ot l ik in g e it he r of t he m. S he

couldn't figure out his reaction to Famhair.

M er yl s to od s il en tl y f or a m om en t, w at ch in g t he s ur gi ng w hi te cap ped w av es . T he t id e f oamed and

s lo sh ed , r ea ch in g i ts h ig he st p oi nt o n t he s ho re , j us t b ef or e h er . Th an k y ou f or t he r os es , s he s ai d

without looking at him.

T ri st an h el d o ut a s in gl e r ed r os e. T he f lo we r h ad p ar ti al ly o pe ne d, i ts d el ic at e f ra gr an ce a t o dd s w it h t he

s al ty t ang o f t he s ea . The r os es c an 't c om pa re t o a l ad y a s l ove ly a s you ."

M er yl t ho ug ht h is c om me nt w as r at he r o ld w or ld ly , a nd t ha t o nl y a dd ed t o t he a ur a o f m ys te ry

surrounding him. You like to embarrass me."

" Pe rh ap s I l ik e t o s ee y ou b lu sh . I t' s m os t b ec om in g. T ri st an r ea li ze d h e l ik ed t ea si ng he r a nd s mi le d a t

h er d is co mf or t. T he u nu su al p in o n t he c ol la r o f h er s hi rt c au gh t h is a tt en ti on . H e s te pp ed c lo se r t o

e xa mi ne i t m or e c ar ef ul ly . T he s ma ll b ea rd ed f ig ur e, d re ss ed i n a b lu e r ob e a nd h at , s ee me d f ru st ra te d o r u ps et , w hi le i t h el d o ut a w an d. T ri st an l au gh ed s of tl y.

" A f ru st rated w izar d, M er yl exp lain ed . On r ar e o ccas io ns m y aun t d is pl ay s a s tr an ge s en se o f h um or .

I t' s m y f av or it e p in a nd I a lw ay s w ea r i t. "

" Od d, I n ev er n ot ic ed i t b ef or e. H e c om me nt ed , t he n t ur ne d h is a tt en ti on o ut t o s ea , t he p in q ui ck ly

f or go tt en . Wh at d o y ou s up po se l ies o ut t here?"

M er yl g la nc ed a t h im , u na bl e t o k ee p u p w it h h is a br up t c ha ng e i n c on ve rs at io n. W he n h e s ee me d t o

s et tl e o n o ne t op ic, h e q ui ck ly t ur ned t o s om et hi ng els e. S he g av e h is n ew q uest io n a m om en t' s t ho ug ht .

Ot he r c ou nt ri es a nd p eo pl e. S om et im es I t hi nk a bo ut p la ce s I 'd l ik e t o s ee , t hi ng s I 'd l ik e t o d o. "

" My h om e i s i n S co tl an d, b ut n ot t he cou nt ry y ou 'r e f am il iar w it h. W e n eed y ou r h el p, M er yl . W it ho ut

y ou , o ur w ay s w il l b e l os t f or ev er . Y ou h av e t he p ow er t o p re ve nt i t f ro m h ap pe ni ng . T im e w as g ro wi ng

s hor t a nd he ne ede d t o dr aw he r i nt o h is pl an s a s qu ic kl y a s po ss ib le .

" Yo u c er ta in ly h av e s om e s tr an ge i de as . I h av e n o m ag ic o r p ow er o f a ny k in d w hy e ls e w ou ld y ou b e

t ry ing t o c on vi nc e m e a ft er t he s tr an ge qu es ti ons y ou 've a ske d. I d on' t s ee ho w I c an be of h el p t o y ou o r

a ny on e e ls e. W ha t m ad e h er t hi nk h e w as l oo ki ng f or t ha t s or t o f p ow er s ou rc e?

" Th is l ed m e t o y ou . Y ou a re t he o nl y o ne w ho c an h el p u s. T ri st an t ouc he d t he s il ve r c ha in s ho ldi ng h er

pendant. A shiver ran through her at his touch.

" Th er e a re s om e c hi ld re n w ho c an 't c ro ak a n ot e i n a f am il y o f s in ge rs . T he re a re u gl y c hi ldr en b or n i nt o


22/164

beautiful families. I am the child who could never sing. I'm the only one in this family who has no witching

powers. I couldn't cast a spell if my life depended on it."

" Th e p en da nt l ed m e t o y ou , h e i ns is te d.

" Th is p en dant i s a f am il y h ei rl oo m. A s t he o nl y d au gh ter i n m y f am il y, I i nh er it ed i t. I f y ou w an t a w it ch ,

y ou s ho ul d w ai t u nt il E nchant ra r et ur ns f ro m h er h on ey mo on . S he cou ld w hi p u p a s pell f or y ou , d ow hatever y ou w an t, and m or e. A lt ho ug h, y ou m ay n ot app reci at e t he s to rm clo ud s t hat o ft en g o w it h i t. "

T ri st an l au gh ed . I' ve s een y ou r aun t' s m ag ic and i t' s d ef in it el y n ot w hat w e n eed. H is v oi ce s of tened.

Say you'll help us, Meryl."

" Wh y i s i t s o i mp or ta nt I g o w it h yo u? M er yl 's c ur ios it y ha d t he be tt er o f h er , b ut T ri st an w as i nt en t on

h er acq ui es cence. S he d id n' t l ik e t he s ub tl e i ns is tence s he h eard i n h is v oi ce.

" Wh en w il l y ou s ee y ou r t went y- fi rs t b ir th day? A gain , h e s eemed t o chang e t he s ub ject as h e i gn or ed

her question.

" Wh at d oe s m y a ge h ave t o do w it h a ny thi ng ?"

" Wh en , M er yl ? T im e i s r un ni ng o ut . I h av e t o r et ur n s oo n, w it h o r w it ho ut y ou , p referabl y w it h. Y ou r

i mp or tance m at ters t o t he f ut ur e o f m an y p eo pl e. "

" Ea rl y A ug us t, t he f ir st , a s a m at te r of f ac t. "

"This summer?"

" No , n ex t y ear. "

" Mor e t ha n a y ea r a wa y, h e mu tt er ed un de r h is br ea th . A ye ar t o ke ep he r a li ve , t o s ee no h ar m c om est o h er ."

M er yl l is tened t o h is m ut teri ng s, i n w hat s ou nd ed l ik e ano th er l an gu ag e. I f s he g av e i t s om e t ho ug ht , s he

w as s ur e s he c ou ld f ig ur e o ut w ha t h e w as s ay in g. S he d id n' t k no w h ow s he k ne w t ha t sh e j us t k ne w i t.

H e c on ti nue d t o l oo k a rou nd a s i f h e s po ke t o s om eon e s he c ou ld n' t s ee . I c an' t u nde rs ta nd a w or d

y ou 'r e s ay in g, s he com pl ai ned, w is hi ng h e w ou ld s peak p lain ly . S he p au sed a m om en t, and g et ti ng n o

r es po ns e f ro m h im , t hr ew h er h an ds u p i n f ru st rati on . Go dd es s s av e m e f ro m i ncom pr eh en si bl e S co ts ."

Caught off guard, Tristan laughed and explained. On your twenty-first birthday, you will receive your

i nh er it an ce . B ut y ou m us t g o w it h m e t o c la im i t. T he w el fa re o f m an y p eop le d ep en ds o n y ou r

acceptance."

M er yl s to pp ed l is te ni ng a ft er t he f ir st f ew w or ds . So y ou k ee p s ay in g, b ut I 'm n ob od y' s s av io r. S he

eyed h im s us pi ci ou sl y. Wh at d o y ou k no w abo ut m y f am il y, any way? I 'm exp ected t o j us t accep t all y ou

s ay a s t rut h? W hy do I ha ve t o go t o s om e s tr ange pl ac e t o c la im a n i nhe ri ta nc e I ne ve r kn ew e xi st ed?

A nd w hy w ou ld p ar en ts w ho g av e m e a wa y w an t t o l ea ve m e t he ir w or ld ly g oo ds ? T he l as t q ue st ion

w as a sk ed w it h a h in t o f b it te rn es s.

" To o m an y q ue st io ns , l as s. I k no w n ot hi ng a bo ut y ou r f am il y o r w ha t w ai ts f or y ou. I w as s en t t o f in d a nd

f et ch y ou b ack. "

" No. I c an' t go w it h yo u. I w on 't g o. M er yl t ook a s te p b ac kw ar d, a wa y f rom hi m. I c an 't t rus t

s om eo ne I d on 't k no w any th in g abo ut . A ny way, i f I u p and l ef t w it h y ou , A un t E nchant ra w ou ld h av e

puppies. Meryl didn't know if his story was true but she felt herself being torn between her instincts and


23/164

h er a tt ra ct io n t o t he S co t.

Hi s e ye br ows s hot u p a t t he r ema rk , t he n he re le as ed a s igh of f rus tr at io n. And if I we re t o t el l you, your

a un t a nd a ny o th er r el at iv es y ou h av e h er e w ou ld b e i n d an ge r, w ha t w ou ld y ou s ay ."

S he r ai se d h er c hi n de fi ant ly. I' d s ay y ou 'r e m aki ng i t up ; t ha t y ou' re t ry ing t o s ca re m e i nt o go ing w it h

y ou . S he d id n' t l ik e t he u nr ea da bl e l oo k i n h is e ye s. M er yl s te pp ed b ac k a ga in , s ur e h e s ho ul dn 't b etrusted.

" I w is h i t w er e s im pl e. T he f ac t o f t he m at te r i s, t he re a re o th er s s ea rc hi ng f or y ou . I f t he y s uc ce ed , y ou r

f ami ly w il l be a t r is k. T he re i sn 't m uc h t im e l ef t t o ge t yo u t o s af et y. "

" Mu st b e q ui te an i nh er it an ce t o w ar rant s uch act io n. "

" I c an' t a ns we r t ha t; I don' t know. I onl y know t ime i s not i n your f avor. "

" Ho w d o I k no w y ou 'r e n ot t he on e w ho w oul d hu rt m y f am il y? "

" If I w er e, h e r ep li ed s im pl y, h is p at ie nc e w an in g, I w ou ld n' t t ry t o p er su ad e y ou t o l ea ve f or t he ir s ak e,and y ou rs . I 'd s im pl y m ak e i t i mp os si bl e f or y ou t o claim y ou r i nh er it an ce. T ri st an t oo k h er f ree h an d

w it hi n h is o wn a nd r ubb ed h is t hum b a ga in st he r k nu ckl es . I w il l do e ve ry th in g I c an t o s ee yo u ga in yo ur

i nh er it an ce a nd r em ai n s af e. I h ave t o go . I 'l l g iv e y ou t im e t o c on si de r t he s it ua ti on . I n t wo d ay s t im e I 'l l

r et ur n f or y ou r d ec is io n. I c an 't g iv e y ou m or e t ha n t ha t. "

M er yl s ti ff en ed , t oo a wa re o f h is n ea rn es s. S he c ou ld n' t d en y h er a tt ra ct io n t o h im , b ut h ow d id s he

k no w s he c ou ld t ru st h im ? S he k ne w n ot hi ng a bo ut T ri st an , w he re h e c am e f ro m or w ha t h is r ea l m ot iv es

w er e. I . .. I 'l l t hi nk abo ut i t, s he r ep li ed r el uctant ly .

T ri st an r ai se d h er h and t o h is l ip s a nd k is se d i t g en tl y. Th ink l ong a nd h ar d o n i t. Y ou h av e no thi ng t o

f ea r f ro m m e, M er yl . Y ou m us t u nd er st an d, yo u a re a ve ry i mpo rt an t y ou ng w om an ; m or e t ha n y ourealize. Your decision will affect many lives."

D id h e s pe ak t he t ru th ? S he 'd g iv e m os t a ny th in g t o l ea rn a bo ut h er p ar en ts . E nc ha nt ra c ou ld t el l h er

n ot hi ng . M er yl h ad us ed e ve ry m ea ns s he c oul d t hi nk o f t o f ind o ut a bou t h er f am il y. U nt il n ow , t he

pendant she wore had been her only legacy. Dinks rubbed against her legs but she ignored him for the

moment.

" I n ee d m or e t im e t ha n t ha t, s he t ol d h im a ga in a nd b ac ke d a wa y. D in ks gr ow le d a w ar ni ng . T ri st an

posed no danger to her that she could sense. At the same time, he asked a great deal in the simple

request.

" Tha t' s a ll I c an g ive you, la ss . Two da ys t o m ake up y our mi nd, he c al le d t o he r.

M er yl t ur ne d a nd r an , c lu tc hi ng t he s te m o f t he r ed r os e t ig ht ly i n h er f is t. S he g as pe d f or b re at h w he n s he

r ea che d t he t op of t he p at h, t he n t ur ne d a nd l ook ed do wn a t t he be ac h. Tr is ta n s ti ll s to od wh er e s he 'd

l ef t h im , w at ch in g h er . I n o ne s mo ot h m ov em en t h e m ou nt ed t he s tall io n and s et i t can teri ng n or th alo ng

t he s ho re li ne . M er yl g la nc ed d ow n a t h er h an d a nd s ta re d a t t he t hi n s me ar o f b lo od i n h er p al m. A s in gl e

t ho rn , i ts s ha rp t ip t in te d r ed , c on tr as te d a ga in st t he g re en s te m. A n o me n? O f c ou rs e n ot ! S he d id n' t

believe in omens, but the sight of her blood made her uneasy.

M er yl w at ch ed h im r id e a wa y a t a l ei su re ly p ac e b ef or e s he t ur ne d t ow ar d t he h ou se . H ow c ou ld h e

exp ect h er t o r id e o ff w it h h im j us t l ik e t hat? H e evaded q uest io ns abo ut h im self , w hi ch l ef t h er w on deri ngwh at he ha d t o h ide . How c oul d s he he lp t he pe opl e he m ent io ne d; d id s he e ve n wa nt t o? Wh at of he r

l if e h er e? E nc ha nt ra w ou ld e xp ec t h er t o b e h er e w he n s he r et ur ne d f ro m h er h on ey mo on . W ho e ls e


24/164


25/164

s aw t he l oo k o f e xa sp er at io n o n h er c om pa ni on 's f ac e a nd s ig he d. Yo u m ak e a v al id p oi nt , m y l ov e. S he

i s our onl y ho pe . W e m us t be c are fu l how we pr oc ee d i n t he f ut ur e."

* * * *

M er yl hi t t he d ry s and w it h a du ll t hud a nd l ay s ti ll .

T ri st an w at ch ed i n h or ro r w he n M er yl t um bl ed o ve r t he s id e o f t he p at h. T he t we nt y- fo ot d ro p w ou ld k il lh er i f s he h it b ot to m t he w ro ng w ay . S he t um bl ed h al f w ay d ow n t he s te ep p at h, t he n f el l o ve r t he s id e.

H e u rg ed t he s ta ll io n i n he r d ir ec ti on a nd t he h or se s tr ugg le d t o k ee p h is f oo ti ng i n t he l oo se s and . D ink s

s to od b y h is m is tr es s, s ni ff in g, n ot l ik in g h ow s ti ll s he l ay . H e g ro wl ed w hen T ri st an app ro ached.

" Mo ve , y ou f oo l c at . Y ou c an 't h el p h er ."

D in ks g ro wl ed a t t he h um an a nd h is w ar ni ng t o s ta y a wa y. F am ha ir n ud ge d a t t he c at , He 's r ig ht , y ou

c an 't d o a ny th in g. H um an s d o h av e t he ir u se s. D in ks g ro wl ed o nc e m or e a nd t oo k a s te p b ac kw ar d

t he n s at a nd w ai te d.

T ri st an r an h is h an ds alo ng M er yl 's arm s and l eg s, s earchi ng f or b ro ken b on es , t hen s ig hed i n r el ief w henh e f ou nd n on e. Me ry l, c om e o n, s we et he ar t, t al k t o m e. H e b ru sh ed s an d a nd h ai r a wa y f ro m h er p al e

f ac e. I w an t t o s ee t ho se b ea ut if ul s il ve r e ye s o f y ou rs ."

M er yl o pened h er eyes s lo wl y and l oo ked u p i nt o T ri st an' s w or ri ed exp res si on . Wh at h ap pened? H e

h el pe d h er w he n s he s tr ug gl ed t o s it u p.

"You fell from the path."

" Oh . F ee ls l ik e I d iv ed a bo ut f if ty f ee t. H er e ye s d ri ft ed c lo se f or a m om en t a nd s he g ro an ed .

" No t q ui te. R el ief r us hed o ver h im and h e g ri nn ed . On ly abo ut t en f eet. "

" Th at 's a ll ? I s ho ul dn 't h ave f al le n. I t f el t l ike s om eo ne s ho ve d m e d ow n t he s lo pe . S om et hi ng hi t m e a nd I

lost my balance."

" By r ig ht s y ou s ho ul d h av e br oke n you r ne ck, or a f ew b rok en b one s a t t he l ea st . I f I di dn' t kno w b et te r,

I 'd t hi nk s om eo ne e as ed y ou r l an di ng f or y ou . T ri st an s to od a nd d us te d g ra in s o f s an d f ro m h is h an ds

a nd c lo thi ng w hi le he g la nc ed up wa rd a lo ng t he p at h. St ay s ti ll a f ew m in ut es . I 'm go ing t o t ake a l oo k. "

T ri st an w al ke d a lo ng t he p at h t o t he t op . H e f ou nd n ot hi ng w hi ch c ou ld h av e t ri pp ed h er o r c au se d h er t o

s tu mb le, l eavi ng o nl y o ne p os si bi li ty . S om eo ne d id n' t w an t h er g oi ng t o t he p as t. C ou ld m ed ieval m ag ic

r ea ch o ut t hr ou gh t im e? H e k ne w o ne t hi ng f or c er ta in ; s om eo ne k ne w h e' d f ou nd h er . S he c ou ld n' t g o

back to the mansion. She had to leave with him now. She could argue all she wanted, but he had nointention of leaving her behind.

W he n he r et ur ne d t o t he ba se of t he c li ff , M er yl wa s br us hi ng s and f rom he r j ea ns . Sh e wi nc ed a s s he

straightened.

" I' m t aki ng y ou w it h m e, n ow , h e t ol d h er i n no un ce rt ai n t er ms .

" I' m n ot g oi ng any wh er e w it h y ou . M er yl f or go t abo ut h er p revi ou s d ecis io n t o g o w it h h im . S he s tepp ed

back and stumbled on a partially buried stone. Ever since you showed up strange, things have been

g oi ng o n. T hat l it tl e tu mbl e d ow n t he p at h s ho ul d n ev er h av e h ap pened. I d on 't l ik e i t. "

" Yo u d on 't h av e a ny c ho ic e n ow . I t' s o bv io us s om eb od y w an ts t o h ur t y ou o r w or se ."


26/164

M er yl 's h ea d s na pp ed u p a t h is r em ar k, Go a wa y, T ri st an , s he w ar ne d. I d on 't w an t t o s ee y ou a ga in .

I d on 't t ru st y ou . S he t ur ne d q ui ck ly a nd r an f ro m h im . S an d s hi ft ed u nd er h er s ho es , s lo wi ng h er d ow n.

T ri st an r an a ft er h er , s li pp in g o n t he d ry s an d. I f t he l it tl e f oo l w an te d t o g et a wa y f ro m h im , s he w as

h ea di ng i n t he w ro ng d ir ec ti on. H e h ad n o pa ti en ce f or t hi s, no t im e f or g am es . W he n h e f in al ly c au gh t up

w it h h er , he f li ppe d h er o nt o h is s ho ul de r a nd w hi st le d t o h is h or se .

D in ks c ro uc he d, p re pa re d t o l ea p o n t he i nt ru de r a nd k no ck h im o ve r, f re ei ng h is m is tr es s i n t he p ro ce ss .

Do n' t t ry i t, F am hair w ar ned. My m as ter k no ws w hat h e' s d oi ng . S om eo ne o r s om et hi ng s ho ved h er

d ow n t hat p at h. I nt er fere n ow and y ou cou ld l os e y ou r m is tr es s. "

D in ks r el ax ed h is p os tu re a nd l oo ke d u p a t t he d ee rh ou nd , n ot a t a ll p le as ed w it h t he w ar ni ng . He h ad

better not hurt her, or he'll have me to deal with."

"Worry about our new enemy, Famhair concluded.

M er yl s cr eech ed i n ang er . Pu t m e d ow n. W hat d o y ou t hi nk y ou 'r e d oi ng ? T hi s i s k id napp in g. "

" Ca ll i t w ha t y ou w il l, b ut yo u a re n ot s ta yi ng h er e. H e i gn or ed h er q ue st io ns . You 'l l b e s af er w it h me ."

H is l as t r em ar k c au gh t h er a tt en ti on a nd s he b ra ce d h er h an ds a ga in st h is b ac k. Sa fe r w it h y ou ? Y ou

k id na p m e a nd h av e t he g al l t o s ay I 'm s af er w it h y ou ? S he f lo pp ed a ga in st h im a nd p ou nd ed h er f is ts o n

h is b ac k, s cr ea mi ng a t h im , b ut h er u ps id e d ow n p os it io n r ob be d h er o f b re at h. H er f ac e r ed de ne d w it h

ang er and f ear .

T ri st

marissa st. james - highland eyes, the spellbinder.pdf

Documents