Stephen charged forth. Lachlan waved his hand in the air, and instantly Stephen was thrown backwards, landing on the ground. Duncan gave out a war cry as he approached Lachlan from the other side. After only a few steps, he, too, fell to the ground.
Lachlan’s evil laughter filled the air. “Fools, all of ye! But first, I must thank ye for taking out the bishop’s guards. Rome will be outraged to hear that the great Dragon Knights have stooped so low they are now attacking the church.”
Standing, Duncan gathered his power. Lightning split the sky and thunder shook the ground.
Lachlan spread out his arms. “Take aim...
anywhere
.”
Duncan drew forth his sword and unleashed his power. Nothing happened.
“I am still
waiting
,” he snarled.
“What have ye done?” demanded Duncan.
“Your power is of no use inside here,” interjected Betha, her voice raw.
“Silence!” Lachlan snapped.
Whipping his head back to Duncan, he motioned toward Stephen. “If ye would be so kind, drop your sword and stand over by your brother.”
Resting his sword on the ground, Duncan walked over to Stephen, who was now standing. “What now?” he asked.
“Stephen, remove your stone and toss it over by the sword,” ordered Lachlan.
“Ye are insane,” Stephen hissed, his fists clenched by his sides. Slowly, he removed his medallion and threw it to the ground.
“
Insane
?” roared Lachlan. “By dawn, ye will see the full wrath of my power. Ye and your kind are under the assumption that power is for the few chosen. Well, I am here to prove everyone wrong.” Turning back to Betha, he raised the torch at her. “If ye will not become one of my followers, then ye will all burn with a full blessing from the church.”
“Stop!” Aidan had guardedly moved forward. “Ye have the relics. Take them and leave the people.”
Lachlan narrowed his eyes at him. “The dark magic demands a sacrifice, and they refuse to follow me.”
“Then I shall take their place,” said Aidan.
“No!” cried out Stephen and Duncan in unison.
“Enough! Why would I want one, when there are many?” questioned Lachlan.
Aidan moved passed Stephen and Duncan. Both men glaring at him. Standing a few feet in front of the druid, he replied, “Would not the dark magic be grateful for the body of an elite Fenian Warrior?”
Silence descended. Sparks snapped from the torch as Lachlan considered this new piece of information. He cocked his head to the side, studying Aidan.
“Done.” Snapping his fingers, two men came forth and took a hold of Aidan. “Nevertheless, this one is far too powerful to let live. Therefore,
she
will be the first.”
Shouts erupted everywhere, and with a wave of his hand, the power smacked against them.
“Place him next to her,” ordered Lachlan. Pointing a finger at the group, he yelled, “If there is another outburst, I will burn all of the children.”
“Ye are a monster, Lachlan, and ye will sorely pay,” growled Duncan.
“No! Let him go!” yelled Aileen, stumbling forward. Her hands were bound and on her face, a bruise started to emerge from where she had been hit.
Oblivious to the others, she ran toward her father. Whipping her head around to face Lachlan, she looked directly into the face of evil. “You will
not
take
my father
!”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“When the knight emerged forth from the battle, he did not fear losing his soul, but his heart.”
Stephen tried in vain to control the fear that seeped into his veins the moment Aileen stepped into view.
Where are ye, Liam
?
Dread filled him when Lachlan strode over to her.
Don’t touch her
, his mind screamed. His hands flexed to be around the monster’s throat. He wasn’t the only one who was throwing daggers at Lachlan. Aidan tensed under the control of the two guards.
“Well, well, the Fenian Warrior has a...
daughter
?” Reaching out, he grabbed her chin.
“Take your hands off her,” growled Stephen.
Slowly twisting his head around to glance at Stephen, Lachlan gripped her more firmly. “Would ye like me to snap her jaw?”
“I will not tell ye again.” Stephen’s tone had turned deadly.
“Brother,” Duncan said quietly.
Lachlan released her. “This is a most unforeseen day. Not only do I have two Dragon Knights and a Fenian Warrior, but also his daughter, who is also
your beloved
, Stephen.” He threw back his head and roared.
They were helpless, thought Stephen. This evil man’s magic would kill them all. Their only hope would be a miracle.
“Tie him to the pole,” ordered Lachlan, moving away.
Aileen held back a scream. Immediately, Liam’s words rushed through.
Remember, you have the blood of the fae in you. Call out to them if you need to.
Could it be so simple?
Aileen bent her head.
Blood of my blood...hear your daughter. I call out to you for help. Help us to fight this evil
.
I know of no other words...
Immediately warmth infused her. She heard a tinkling of bells, and then a breeze touched her face.
Link your magic with that of the Dragon Knight
.
Aileen kept her focus on Duncan and Stephen until she noticed they had sensed the shift in magic. Stephen gave his brother a quick nod, freed Aileen from her bonds, and swiftly took out the guard on his right. Lachlan threw another blast of magic, yet, it was not as powerful as the first.
“I warned ye, Dragon Knight,” hissed Lachlan. Turning, he lowered his arm and set the pole on fire.
All hell broke loose, as Betha screamed in terror.
Instantly, Stephen and Aidan attempted to disarm the other guards. Duncan slammed his fist into one as they tried desperately to weaken Lachlan’s power.
“Stop!” Lachlan howled. “Do ye all want to die?” Flinging out his arms, the power barely touched on the men fighting. Blind fury took over, and he charged for the sword.
Picking it up, he moved toward Aileen. “I will tear out your heart and watch ye die,” he snarled, making long strides to her.
The other guards were now fighting some of the men that Aidan had freed, which left Aileen having to defend herself against the maniac approaching her. Fearing that her knife was no match against his sword, she turned to flee.
Hearing a thud behind her, Aileen peered over her shoulder. Another man was doing battle with the druid. Relief spread through her, but Betha’s screams tore her vision to the pole.
“
Oh no
,” she gasped. She would not let her friend die.
Instinct took over and scanning the area, she spotted Stephen. Running toward him, she yelled out, “We need water, quickly.”
“Hold my sword. I need to call forth the water.” He tipped her head up to meet his eyes. “Ye will have to defend me,
leannan
.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Aileen nodded.
Stephen took a step back and closed his eyes. She watched as he breathed deeply, attuning his energy, and trying to draw forth the water from the nearby stream. Relaxing his hands, he tried to push through the barrier of magic, which still maintained partial energy.
The battle raged around them, and Aileen bit her lower lip in frustration. Watching the flames inch closer seized at her. In moments, they would engulf Betha. Something flickered past her right side and without thought, she plunged not only Stephen’s sword, but also her dirk into the man. Registering a look of total shock, the man collapsed on the ground. She quickly drew them free from his body.
Feeling dizzy, she snapped her gaze back at Stephen. Beads of sweat broke out along his brow.
Why wasn’t this working
? Smoke and terror filled the sky.
The ping of bells reminded Aileen of the message she heard earlier.
Tossing aside the sword, she faced Stephen and reached for his hand. He started to jerk free, but she held firm. Concentrating with all her being, she focused on the water. Flashes of light danced before her eyes.
The energy pulsed as she called, reached, pulled...
Heat flared into her body, and the ground rumbled. She heard it before it touched her. They both opened their eyes to see the water gushing forth from the stream. With their combined strength, they brought the direction of the water to them.
When Aileen looked into Stephen’s eyes, they were so pale she could no longer see his irises. With no time to lose, he released her hand and guided the water toward Betha, letting it swirl and consume the flames.
Somehow, Donal had managed to get free and was helping Stephen cut through Betha’s bonds. She collapsed into his arms, her legs only slightly singed. “I thank ye, Sir Stephen,” said Donal, choking back emotion.
Her voice raspy from the smoke, Betha touched Stephen’s arm. “The druids have weakened Lachlan’s magic. Ye ken what must be done.”
“Aye.” He watched until they had safely parted. Taking a glance around, Stephen noted that Duncan was doing battle with two guards. The rest of their men were freed, but many had been injured. Most of them were no match against Lachlan’s men. The best they could do would be to retreat. Another blaze had been set, but thankfully, no one was bound to it.
“Where the hell are ye, Lachlan,” he muttered.
Fear seized his heart when he glanced to his left. “Sweet Danu—
nae!
” Lachlan held a blade at Aileen’s throat, glaring at him.
Fury blinded him as he jumped down in rage to attack. Blocking his path, Manus landed a blow to his jaw, sending him back to the ground. Shaking his head, he spat out blood. It only infuriated him further.
Lachlan’s laughter filled his ears. “I think I will let your woman watch ye die at the hands of Manus.”
Stephen lunged forward only to be greeted with a kick to the face. Manus took his time with each blow, landing several onto his back. Then he took a slice out of his arm, blood gushing forth.
Lachlan sneered. “Do not think of calling forth your powers, either, or I will place the blade deeper into her neck.”
“You bastard,” Aileen muttered.
“Release her,
now
,” growled Aidan, behind Lachlan. He had a blade leveled against the side of his neck.
His lip curled in disgust as he let go of Aileen.
Aidan took Aileen into his arms, never taking his eyes off Lachlan. “As much as I want to take your life, I made a promise to one of the Dragon Knights that you were his.”
Lachlan laughed. “Well, if ye mean
that
Dragon Knight over there, I believe his life is about to end.”
Both Aidan and Aileen looked to where Stephen lay bloodied. Manus had continued to beat him, and blood pooled all around him.
Aidan’s brief glance away was all Lachlan required. Taking his dirk, he deftly stepped around Aidan, plunging it into his side. Removing it, he walked over to Stephen. As he raised his hands high, he shouted, “I have killed the great Fenian Warrior and now watch as your Dragon Knight dies, too!”
“
Nooo
,” screamed Aileen, clutching her father as he fell to the ground.
Out of the shadows, emerged Liam. He was bloodied and without his plaid, but immediately went to Aidan. “God’s teeth!” he hissed.
“Aileen,” blurted out Aidan. “You must...
leave
.”
Liam started tearing at Aileen’s gown, pressing the pieces into his side to stanch the flow of blood. “Don’t talk, Aidan. Aileen, hold these to his side and use your healing to stop the flow. I’ll go help Stephen.”
She nodded, but no sooner did she press her hand against the wound than blood gushed out. Summoning all of her will, she pulled forth her healing powers, letting the energy move from her body into her fathers.
Her father groaned. “Wound…too severe. Stop, Aileen.”
“Liam,” she pleaded, the blood soaking her hands and ground. “I can’t heal him.”
“Shit!” Liam halted mid-stride and turned back. Glancing back at Stephen, he saw that he was gazing directly at him.
“Your...vow,” croaked Stephen.
Liam bent down. “Aidan, we must go. Do you understand, my brother? We don’t have much time.”
His eyes were closed, but he opened them when he heard Liam’s words.
Confusion filled Aileen. “How can we
go
?” she demanded. “Go help Stephen. I will find someone to help me.” Looking back at her father, she swallowed. “Stay with me, Dad.” She tore more material from her dress and pressed it against his side.
Slowly, Liam stood. “I am sorry, Aileen.” He stretched out his arms, chanting words of an ancient language beyond time.
Aileen snapped her head up. Understanding flared within her. “No, no, Liam. We can’t go,” she sobbed. Casting her gaze back at Stephen, she watched in horror as the man continued to beat him, Lachlan’s laughter filling her ears.
Tears streamed down her face.
It was beginning. Trapped in a void, Aileen saw the lights spiraling around them with Liam’s voice becoming louder, calling forth the power. Panic seized her. “
Stephen
.” Her voice raw, her fingers reaching out to him.
When her vision started to blur, Aileen noticed Stephen was watching her. As her mind started to fade, and the world became black, she thought she heard him say...
Forever, leannan
.
Chapter Forty
“When you have crossed several life paths within the veil, your reality will be skewed.”
A gentle breeze brushed across Aileen’s face and with it the salty tang of the ocean. The sounds of seagulls filtered through her hearing, making her long for oblivion. Yet, it was the moan of someone near that jolted her fully awake. Blinking several times, she tried sitting up. Dizziness flooded her, and she took several deep breaths. A warm hand touched her shoulder.
“Aileen, I need your help,” said Liam, his voice low but urgent.
“Dad,” she muttered. Opening her eyes, she quickly shielded them from the sun with her hand. “Where is he?”
“To your left. Try to keep him from passing out. I’m going for help.” She closed her eyes again, and he put another hand on her shoulder, shaking her. “Do you hear me?”