Stone Guardian (29 page)

Emma didn’t miss the slight narrowing of Alex’s eyes, nor the rippling of his jaw.
Good.
The real Alex still lived and breathed beneath the fawning man snuggled up to her sister. The only problem was she couldn’t tell if Alex was irritated because they’d interrupted his schedule or was fuming because she hadn’t sent Laynie to the clinic alone. The body language between the two clearly transmitted the message
: three is a crowd
.

“Where is
your
friend this morning, Emma? Torin. Yes, isn’t Torin his name?” Alex tore his admiring gaze from Laynie’s upturned face long enough to shoot an irritated glance in Emma’s direction.

Emma relaxed, biting her lip to hold back the laughter. She felt so much better now. Pain-in-the-ass Alex was also alive and well, simmering just below the surface of this newfound admirer of her sister. He’d had her worried there for a bit. She’d even started missing the irritating physician. “I’m not sure. He mentioned something about tying up some loose ends. As you’ve seen before, Torin’s just a little bit unpredictable.”

“Aye.” Alex’s mouth flattened into a disapproving line. “‘Unpredictable’ would be a word I’d use for such a man.” Patting Laynie’s hand, his expression softened. “Would ye allow me to give ye a tour of the clinic and then treat ye to a relaxing pot of tea at our favorite pub? Your sister is always fussing about her piles of paperwork. I’d be happy to give ye the grand tour. ’Twould give her a chance to get caught up on the chaos of her desk.”

What the heck was Alex doing? Laynie just got here and Alex was trying to shanghai her. “When have I ever fussed—”

“Were ye no’ saying just yesterday that ye would never unearth your desk?” Alex cut her off as he curled Laynie’s hand closer to his side.

“It’ll be all right, sis.” Laynie winked as she patted Alex’s arm. “I’ll get a better feel for your world if I hang out with one of the locals.”

“But you just got here.” Emma tried to ignore the fact that her own voice whined through the air like one of the children she tended every day. She didn’t want to share Laynie with anyone—especially not with Alex.

Laynie left Alex’s side long enough to peck a quick kiss against Emma’s cheek. “I’m going to be here a solid month, maybe even two. Get caught up on your paperwork then go find Torin. I’ll catch up with you later.”

She couldn’t believe Laynie dismissed her so easily. Hadn’t baby sister missed her at all? Uneasiness shaded with a good measure of jealousy gnawed its way around her heart. She forced her words through clenched teeth, glaring at Laynie in an attempt to silently guilt her into dumping Alex. “I don’t know where to begin looking for Torin. There’s no telling where he’s gone.”

“He told me that after he finished his errands, he might stop by the standing stones. You know how much he loves it up there. If he’s not there, it’s a sure bet he’ll show up either here or at the cottage.” Laynie coughed, widening her eyes as if to say,
You know how to find him. Stop grousing and leave me alone
.

“Fine.” Emma hissed. If Laynie wanted to spend her time with Alex, she wouldn’t stand in her way. So much for keeping baby sister to herself. What had happened to the old Laynie? The one who pouted about Emma’s long absences? The one who complained about being left alone? “I guess I’ll see the two of you later—
after
I’ve cleared up a few loose ends.”

“Great!” Laynie bobbed her head and beamed up at Alex. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Chapter Fifty-Two

“‘Tis time, Torin.”

Her words stoked the uneasiness already simmering in his gut. “So ye’ve decided it’s time to rein in the beast ye unleashed upon the world?” Torin rested his hand atop the haft of his sword. The worn grip melted into his palm like a well-worn, leather glove.

“The world needed cleansing, Torin. We’ve discussed this before and ye have no right to question my ways. Perhaps I did err in unleashing him upon the world but I owe ye no explanation.”
The melodic voice riding atop the biting wind rang with a hint of disapproval.
“Arach has done what his instincts lead him to do and he’s served his purpose well. Too well. ’Tis time for you and your mate to join forces and serve your purpose too.”

“She’s no’ ready. I need more time. Her sister just arrived and she’s no’ ready to make her choice.” Torin strained to force the revelation out into the open. Emma needed more time to realize she belonged at his side. With Laynie’s help, he felt sure he could convince her to join him beyond the veil. But if he forced her to choose now, he wasn’t so sure he would win.

“No.”

The wind howled louder through the stones, setting the dried grasses to rustling. Their brittle whispers swept all around as though chiding Torin for his reluctance.
“In her heart, her decision is made. ’Tis time to see if she’s found the courage to follow it.”

“And if she hasn’t?”

“Then you will be alone.”

Chapter Fifty-Three

“I tire of ye disturbing my sleep, witch. Nettling me with your incessant whine will only bring more pain and suffering to your mortal pets. Nagging will do nothing to make me leave.” Arach did not bother cracking open an eye slit. Why put forth the effort when the stench of the old woman so clearly announced her presence?

“Then meet the challenge and end this battle. If ye win, I will nettle ye no more.”

Arach rolled to his side and kicked at the lowest part of his belly with a stubby rear leg. Lore, he hated it when his scales itched in spots he couldn’t reach. With a jaw-cracking yawn, he groaned as he stretched and rubbed his itching belly across the rough flooring of the cave. “Why should I go to the trouble of seeking out your champions? If they’re so determined to return me to hell, let them find me.” Deafening silence echoed through the darkness of the cave. The only sound interrupting the eerie stillness was the rhythmic plopping of water at the rear of the fissure as it dripped from ceiling to floor.

Arach finished scratching his underbelly against the razor-sharp ledge then lifted his snout higher in the air and snorted in a great breath. “I know ye havena left, old woman. Your smell is still heavy in the air.”

“What will it take, ye wicked beast? What will it take to bring ye to the challenge at the portal?”

Arach chuckled as he slithered out onto the ledge. “‘Twould take a great deal more than yer willing to risk, old woman. Have ye no’ learned yer lesson about dealing with the devil?”

“Name it, beast. What will it take for the opportunity to rid ye from this world?”

Arach lumbered to a halt and half-turned his body to face the deepest fissure in the rear of the cave. “I will meet your champions on one condition, witch. If I best them, ye grant me unlimited freedom to move between all the worlds.”

“Ye already move between the dimensions at will. What are ye truly asking for, Arach?”

Arach chuckled and his grin widened to reveal his rotting fangs. “Unlimited power and ultimate energy for the rest of eternity. Even though I’m able to move through any portal I wish, it takes a solid millennia for me to recover once I pass through. Grant me control over the highest energies so mine will ne’er be depleted.”

Nothing sounded through the cave beside the familiar dripping sound of the perpetual moisture. Arach shrugged and resumed his slithering gate toward the sunny ledge when the old
Cailleach
finally spoke.

“Agreed.”

Chapter Fifty-Four

Where was she? Torin scanned the winding narrow path leading up to the circle of stones. Resting his hand against the cold rough surface of the nearest obelisk, he closed his eyes and searched.
There. Finally.
He sensed her comforting warmth headed in his direction. Exhaling a relieved breath, he focused on the golden sensation reverberating his way. He’d find Emma’s aura in any reality. Her electrifying essence mated with his to perfection. Together, they formed a balanced whole.

A stinging wind nudged against him, chilling a reminder across his flesh. Precious time was running out. They needed to force Arach back through the doorway and close the portal behind him. Forcing open his eyes, Torin trailed his fingers across the rough surface of the ancient chiseled stone. Thank the gods, he’d convinced Laynie to urge Emma toward a life with him. Uncertainty nagged at the base of his skull like the dull pounding ache he always got after enjoying too much mead. Surely, Emma would agree to cross with him once she received her sister’s blessing.
If
Laynie had found time to give it.
Torin swallowed hard. There was that. There had been so little time.

The whirling breeze roared through the silent sentinels, a mournful whistle warning those who knew the portal stood ajar. Torin tensed at the guttural rumble trembling across the ground. His gut clenched as a low-pitched roar rose above the howling wind. Unsheathing his sword, Torin widened his stance. The silver scar threading down the side of his face burned a vicious warning through his flesh. Arach neared. The vile beast approached the circle of stones. Only when Arach neared the blessed stones could Torin sense him in the In Between.

A familiar metallic growling sounded behind him. Keeping his attention fixed on the pair of dark gray spires looming ahead, Torin tightened his grasp on the haft of his sword as Emma’s vehicle bounced into his peripheral vision.
Damn.
Torin ground his teeth as the ground shook again with Arach’s bone-chilling call. Cold sweat of uncertainty streamed down the sides of Torin’s face. Could he protect her from the raging serpent? Would Emma remember all she’d learned over the past few weeks?

“Torin?”

Emma’s call carried to him across the hillside.
Damnú air!
Why didn’t the woman reach out with her senses? Did she no’ remember
anything
he’d taught her?

A searing rush of super-heated air burst from near the ancient columns. Reaching out with his mind, Torin summoned Emma.
“Come to me, Emma. Focus your energies and hurry to my side with care.”

“What’s wrong?”

Torin rolled his shoulders, the tension eased a bit. She did remember. She’d heard his instructions and folded space to arrive at his side. “Arach comes. It will take us both to force the vile beast back through the portal. Stand fast by my side, Emma. Your survival depends on your doing exactly as I say.”

Emma edged closer while glancing among the ominous stones. Black clouds billowed across the horizon. The storm clouds roiled and jockeyed for position around the stone circle as though fighting for the best seat for the coming show. “Is Arach on the other side right now? If he went back through the portal, why can’t we just destroy it before he returns to this world? Can’t we just close it off before he passes back through it? You’d think he’d know we’re going to seal it so he can’t cross back over and pick up where he left off.” Swiping beads of sweat away from her forehead, Emma squinted toward the stone spires. “And why is it so hot here in front of the center stone? I drove through snow flurries coming up the hill.”

An impatient bellow shook the ground. The Lewisian gneiss sentries shuddered as another heated blast of searing wind exploded from between them.

“Arach doesna believe we can close the portal. He’s unaware of the power of our joining, thinks we’re weak and easily bested. He’s also succeeded in locking this particular gateway open to only his home dimension. As long as the portal is permanently aligned with his home, Arach’s energies willna’ be drained.” Torin nodded toward the silent spires growing more shadowed with the gathering clouds. “The lair of his birthplace lies just beyond those stones. Usually, he just wreaks his destruction and then retires to the comfort of his caves along the sea. But when his magic weakens to the point where he can no longer ignore it, he must return to his original lair and recharge among the pits of his origin.” Torin adjusted his grip on the worn haft of his sword and slid his thumb along the shining blade. “Ye’ll find we canna close this gateway until we overpower Arach. Our joined magics are strong but Arach’s protection spells cast upon the gateway are considerably stronger.” Torin licked his lips and raised his face to better taste the foul wind. “The heated stench scorching the air is the breath he’s blown to announce his path. He will pass through the stones soon. We must be prepared.”

Torin pulled Emma to him, crushed her against his chest, and breathed in the scent of her hair. Her sweet, familiar essence steadied his mind but also struck fear in his heart. He must protect her. Arach would attack her first. The beast would sense a novice guardian. “Swear to me you’ll do whatever I ask. Swear to me you’ll act on my words without a moment’s hesitation.”

Uncertainty flickered in the depths of Emma’s eyes. She laid a hand to his cheek, tracing her thumb down the line of his throbbing scar. “I promise.”

Torin swallowed her oath with a kiss. A claiming kiss filled with urgency. He needed the sweetness of her one last time. He’d forge into battle with the taste of her in his mouth.

The ground shook all around them. Small stones bounced across the earth like clumped flour rising in a vibrating sieve. A billowing yellow cloud roiled from between the columns, filling the air with the stench of sulfur and rotted flesh.

Emma swallowed hard and blinked slow deliberate blinks as she backed out of Torin’s embrace. The putrid odor of rotten eggs and decaying meat filled the air, setting her eyes and nose on fire. Covering her mouth with both hands, she struggled not to gag. Whatever Arach was, he reeked. “What does Arach do to his enemies? Kill them with his smell?”

“The stench is nothing compared to the beast himself. Protect yourself with your magic, Emma.”

Blue-white flames burst from the space between the stones as though someone had touched a flint to a blowtorch. They burnt the yellow cloud from the air with an explosive
whoosh
. As the flames ate through the portal and seared the ground, an ear-splitting roar followed. “I smell ye, Torin and ye’re no’ alone. I’ve not eaten in several days. Have ye brought me a delicious appetizer as a welcoming gift?”