Stone Guardian (28 page)

“Maybe.”

Maybe? What the heck did she mean by maybe? Emma rinsed away the suds and twisted the squeaking porcelain handles until water dripped in an erratic plop to the drain between her feet. “What do you mean by maybe?”

“Maybe I was too busy trying to figure out what you and Mr. Muscle were fussing about before your sex-a-lympics.” Laynie shoved a well-fluffed bath towel around the shower curtain. “Or was your argument just some weird role-playing for the opening ceremony to your bedroom games?”

Emma snatched the towel out of Laynie’s hands and buried her face in the lavender-scented folds. “You always did have a way with words, Laynie. I’m sorry if we disturbed you. Torin and I seem to be having a problem finding a middle ground on a slightly sticky point.”

“So, where is this place he’s wanting you to go with him?” Laynie ripped aside the shower curtain. “And what did he mean when he said he didn’t belong in this time?”

Emma hugged the towel to her chest, ignoring the blast of chilled air rippling across her damp skin as Laynie’s accusing glare pinned her against the wall. Well. There it was. Laid out in the open between them. How could she explain it to Laynie? “Torin is a bit—different.”

“Yeah. I pretty much figured that part out.” Laynie folded her arms across her chest and leaned back against the bathroom door. “Now answer the questions. Where does he want you to go? Some other country? Is it permanent? What? And explain the time thing. That’s the part that really didn’t make any sense.”

“So, were you faking the snores so we’d keep talking or what?” Emma wrapped the towel around her body, snugged the end securely under one arm and hugged the heavy terry fabric in place. Laynie hadn’t missed a bit of last night’s conversation. So much for gently easing her into the truth.

“You’re stalling, sis. Spill it.”

Okay. Spill it she would. “Torin is from over a thousand years in the past. He’s a magical guardian over the stones of Callanish, which are actually portals to other dimensions. He needs my help battling some kind of world-destroying beast and re-sealing one of the gateways. Then he wants me to travel with him to wherever it is some of his clan members have gone. Some other reality that’s not of this world.” Emma glanced at Laynie’s silent scowl. This wasn’t good. Laynie only became silent when her mind shifted into over-drive.

“Okay. Either you’ve developed a really warped sense of humor while here on this island or you’ve gone off the deep end because of your water-phobia. Which is it?”

“Neither. Everything I just told you is fact. I swear.”

Laynie’s eyes narrowed and her mouth flattened into a thoughtful line. “So you’re telling me he’s some sort of time traveler? And you’re dead serious?”

“Yes. I am dead serious and no, he’s not a time traveler. Well. Not in the sense you’re thinking.” Emma patted the wadded towel against her throat. Laynie was taking this a lot better than she’d anticipated. “Apparently, he was placed in stasis when he angered the old woman from the moors.”

“Are you sure you haven’t gone delusional on me? Have you started drinking or doing drugs to cope with living so close to the water?” Laynie shifted positions against the bathroom door, her gaze flitting across the cluttered bottles scattered across the countertop.

“You know me better than that.” Emma slammed shut the door of the medicine cabinet and squirted a glob of toothpaste on the end of the toothbrush.

“Then why did he ‘drop’ into your life? How in the world did you happen to meet him?” Laynie stood behind her, staring over her shoulder into the bathroom mirror, forcing Emma to look her in the eye.

“Because, he says I’m a stone guardian too and he needs the help of my magic.” Emma scrubbed her teeth, glancing at Laynie’s wide-eyed expression. Baby sister was clearly perplexed.

“Your what? Did you say magic?” Laynie backed up a step and held out her hand. “Hand over the drugs. I can get you help.”

Emma rinsed her mouth and spit into the sink. “I told you. I’m not doing drugs and yes, I said my magic.”

“If this is your idea of a joke, it’s becoming really not funny. I love you dearly but you know you’ve never had much of a sense of humor. You always screw up the punch line in a joke.” Laynie picked up a bottle of amber liquid off the counter, wrinkling her nose as she unscrewed the lid and sniffed at the contents. “Are you trying to reel me in with some kind of Scottish prank the two of you cooked up to explain your torrid affair? It’s not necessary, sis. I’m glad you’re finally getting some action. You’re way overdue, you know?”

Fingering the amulet dangling around her neck, Emma concentrated on the bottle in Laynie’s hand. It disappeared out of her sister’s grasp and re-appeared where it had originally sat on the counter. “No. This is not a joke or prank. But trust me, I had a little problem believing it all myself at first.”

Laynie’s mouth fell open; her lips formed a perfectly shaped
O
as she pointed at the bottle of perfume on the counter. “How…”

“The magic.” Emma released a heavy sigh. Things would never be the same between them. The safe security of their everyday relationship evaporated into thin air just as the bottle of perfume had disappeared out of her baby sister’s hand. Regret weighed heavy, crushing against her from all sides. Emma wished she’d never come to the Isle of Lewis.

Chapter Fifty

“What have you done to my sister? And what’s up with this so-called
magic
?” Laynie blocked his path off the porch, feet spread and finger pointed directly at his chest as though she were about to attack.

He’d wondered where Laynie had gone this morning. He’d searched for her while Emma was in the shower. Torin glanced back inside the croft. Good. Emma still perched at the kitchen counter with her head drooping over a steaming mug of coffee. “As soon as your sister leaves for the clinic, I’ll explain everything to ye.”

“She’s not going to the clinic. She said she’s spending the day with me. Start talking. Now.”

Torin scrubbed the scarred side of his face, flinching as a searing tingle surged across his jaw. Not a good sign. His scars warned him of impending disaster. With a sardonic snort, he rubbed his face again. Draecna magic and stone guardian magic made for an unstable mix. But he supposed he owed the beast a heartfelt thanks. When the lethal foreclaw ripped open his chest, the Draecna venom infected Torin with a built-in warning system that would follow him through every incarnation. Casting one last glance inside the croft, Torin fanned his courage with a determined breath. Now was the time, while Emma’s gaze focused on the liquid in her cup. He flexed his senses, then turned back to the glowering female tapping an impatient foot. “Now we can speak as long as ye like. Where would ye like me to start?”

“What do you mean we can speak for as long as we like?” Laynie took a step closer, her eyes widening as the wind chime hooked to the eaves of the porch hung suspended in mid flutter as though frozen while dancing in the breeze. “What have you done?”

“Slowed time for a bit.” Torin rolled his shoulders, focusing his energies. Every muscle flexed, tensing with concentration. The lass had no idea the strain it took to hold the ancient wheel in its eternal spin. “Now we can talk. What do ye wish to know?”

Laynie reached out and barely touched one of the horizontally extended rods of the wind chime, frowning when it didn’t move. She flicked the copper tubing harder, flinching as her finger thunked against the immovable chime. Rubbing the tip of her finger with her thumb, she whirled to face Torin. “What are you? And what are you trying to do to my sister?”

Torin closed his eyes with a groan. How could he make her understand? “I’m no’ trying to
do
anything to your sister. Unless ye count finally showing her a way to happiness.”

“That’s not the way she tells it.” Laynie poked a finger into the center of his chest. “The way she talks, you’re trying to shuffle her off to some alternate reality or world…or something. And what’s this magic stuff? She made a bottle disappear right out of my hand.”

“Your sister is a stone guardian too. I need her help re-sealing the portal. She and I are the only two left in this realm capable of standing a chance against the beast. There was a time when two orders of stone guardians filled this land. But I deserted my clan, left them weakened without an heir, and now both orders have passed to the next reality. I need her, Laynie. The realms need her. And I want your help in making her understand.”

“My help?” Laynie’s mouth dropped open. “Are you insane? If I help you, from what the two of you have told me, I’ll never see her again.”

Torin flinched. There was that. “I know. I willna lie to ye and tell ye this path will be an easy one.” Torin ground his teeth and inclined his head in Emma’s direction. “But think of your sister. Other than you, she’s alone in this world. What happens to her as ye make a life of your own? Would ye have her constantly sitting in the shadows and watching ye take hold of your happiness while she has none of her own?”

Laynie’s face fell. She peered around Torin, her lips flattening into an unhappy line as she gazed through the doorway at her sister. “I want Emma to be happy. She’s always sacrificed her needs for mine. I’ve been trying to help her find something to live for besides me and her career but she just won’t do it. In case you haven’t noticed, she’s just a tad stubborn.”

“Aye.” Torin nodded. “That I have noticed.” Torin allowed himself a soft chuckle before the severity of convincing Laynie to help him quickly doused his mirth. “And the reason none of your options appealed to her was because Emma doesna feel at rest with your choices. The Powers match the hearts of a stone guardian. Emma is meant to be mine.”

“I don’t want to lose my sister,” Laynie whispered.

Sympathy settled like lead in Torin’s belly. He knew exactly how Laynie felt. The thought of life without Emma ached like a raw wound in his chest. “I know, Laynie. But I canna bear the thought of living without her either. I can make her happy. I swear to ye I’ll always take of her. Please allow me to love your sister. Help me make her happy.”

Chapter Fifty-One

“By the way, the bane of my existence will probably poke his nose in while I’m showing you around. Dr. Alexander Mackenzie is a lot like Dr. Albertson. Remember him?” Emma coaxed the car across the narrow stone bridge, tensing until they’d made it to the other side. Thank goodness, there wasn’t any oncoming traffic today. She’d never get used to the aggressive driving on the island.

“So, you’re telling me this guy’s rude beyond words and also a little bit nuts?” Laynie slammed her hand onto Emma’s over-stuffed backpack as it bounced across the seat. “Are you
trying
to hit every pothole in the road?”

“I can’t help it. You’ll get used to it after a while and learn when to hang on.” Emma swerved around a gaping fissure running down the center of the road and bounced them through several smaller craters. “And to answer your question, Dr. Mackenzie is definitely rude beyond words. The nuts part hasn’t displayed itself just yet.”

“Well, I hope we do get to see him. You know how I love a good battle.”

“You’re hopeless.” Emma laughed. Poor Dr. Alex. Emma’s money was on her sister. Guiding the car into her parking spot behind the clinic, Emma nodded toward a battered, dark-blue Renault. “Yep. My little friend is here. Better suit up your armor.”

As the car shuddered to a wheezing halt, Dr. Mackenzie emerged from the weathered hatchback. His black hair ruffled in the stiff breeze, whipping across his squinting eyes. A faded denim shirt strained across his chest; the soft cloth molded to his bulging muscles as though it was a second skin. A worn pair of jeans hugged him like a lover, accentuating the tempting package within.

“
That
is Dr. Jerk?” Laynie licked her lips. “Are you crazy? He’s a doll.”

“Yeah, he’s a doll all right. One of those head-spinning dolls possessed with demons like you see in the movies.” Emma plastered a polite smile across her face as she nodded to Alex. Great. He’d spotted Laynie and was headed toward them. What a predatory saunter. The man’s fluid motions brought to mind the image of a stalking panther. “Good morning, Alex.” Emma tried not to grit her teeth as she spoke but every time she dealt with Alex, it turned into a verbal sparring match.

“Good morning, Emma.” Alex jerked a stiff nod in her direction while keeping his gaze fixed on Laynie. “This lovely young woman must be your sister?” Extending his hand in Laynie’s direction, Alex flashed a rare beguiling smile.

Laynie slid her hand into his; the color on her cheeks flushed to a pleasing shade of pink as she slightly ducked her head. “Thank you. You’re very kind.”

Kind, my ass.
Emma cleared her throat. Had Laynie actually giggled? Laynie never giggled around men. Had she not listened to a single word about what a jerk Alex Mackenzie could be? “Alex, meet Laynie. Laynie, this is Dr. Alex Mackenzie. He’s the founder of the clinic.” She might as well be talking to the bench at the end of the pavement. Neither Alex nor Laynie acknowledged her presence. What was wrong with Laynie? Emma had never seen her go gaga over a man.

“Laynie? What a musical name for such a beautiful woman.” Alex brought her hand to his lips while keeping his gaze locked with hers.

Laynie giggled again, touching her other hand to her lips as if trying to hide from the attentive man in front of her.

“Alex.” Emma glanced from Laynie’s face to Alex’s focused stare. “Alex?” She raised her voice. Neither one of them looked her way. This was ridiculous. It reminded her of being back in high school and trying to fit in with the crowd. “Alex!”

“Yes, Emma?” Alex turned her way, speaking in a tone that sounded as if he and Emma were the best of friends.

“We don’t want to
intrude
on your busy schedule”—Emma couldn’t resist stressing the word
intrude
. Alex obsessed about keeping everything on track—“but Laynie wanted a tour of the clinic before I showed her the rest of the island.”

Alex tucked Laynie’s hand under his arm while pulling her closer to his side. “I’d consider it an honor to give Laynie a tour of the clinic. ’Tis no intrusion at all.”