The Empire and the Wolf King (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #21)

27. Chapter 27 - Archibald

CHAPTER 27 - ARCHIBALD

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - 1775

M a and Da were here. I had passed the dining room entrance while they were seated in the far corner and had ducked out afore they could see me.

I returned upstairs and considered how I would make m’self known tae them. If I would make m’self known. I could wait in the hallway for them… but they had looked like they were goin’ out for the day.

I decided tae wait here, at the top of the stairs, but grew bored.

I returned tae my room and perused the papers, glancin’ down the list of dates.

I checked the vessel, it still worked.

I could grab m’parents and take them somewhere safe, tae Balloch, or… Aye, that would work. I could explain that I wasna here tae rescue them, but I had a workin’ vessel, and wanted tae get them somewhere safe.

Would they be disappointed in me that I couldna reunite them with their bairns? Twould be heartbreaking — even if I could take them back tae my time, Jack wouldna recognize them. Och, twould be difficult tae bear.

And what if in doing it my vessel stopped working?

I had tae stop being soft.

There was great risk with any extra time I spent. I was supposed tae be a callous killer, but twas difficult tae separate my feelings from the duty.

My eyes glanced at the monitor — a second vessel had appeared.

I picked the monitor up. My vessel had been marked there for days with nothing else around it, but now… another time traveler was here.

Could it be Asgall?

My stomach lurched.

I hastily stuffed my vessel, a gun, and the monitor intae my bag and left the room, rushed along the hall and took the stairs down two at a time. I checked the dining room as I passed, but Ma and Da hadna returned yet.

I strode down the street, looking left and right, scanning up and down the blocks, and intae a few stores until down at the far end I saw Da, standin’ in front of a dress shop. He looked as if his guard were up, good.

I wanted tae warn him that another time traveler was here, but Asgall might be watching too.

I pulled up the collar of m’coat and walked the opposite direction, circling back, staying in the shadows and out of view.

Da went inside the shop.

I stepped out on the street and scanned the crowds, looking for someone out of place, a time traveler, someone from the family, perhaps.

Or Asgall.

I had my weapons. I could, I would fight him here on the street in Charlottesville.

I turned tae see Ma leaving the shop and, before I could hide, she met my eyes.

I was filled with that feelin’ my ma had always given me, love and comfort, and I almost broke.

I recognized her.

She recognized me.

Then I had stepped intae the shadows.

I was back at the hotel, twas dusk, the light was dimmin’. I had left a message for them at the front desk, with my room number. I was waitin’ but they hadna returned.

My second plan was tae go down and find them at dinner. I would walk up tae their table and introduce m’self in case they dinna ken. I would warn them that there was another time-traveler here, and I dinna feel comfortable thinking it, but I might stay and spend some time talking tae them. I would explain my plan, ask for their forgiveness for not rescuin’ them, and in the morn I would deal with Asgall.

Was he here?

I pulled out my lantern tae cut the waning light and looked back over m’paperwork, then looked at the monitor once more. The second vessel was right there, near mine.

I folded all the papers and returned everything tae m’bag. I would carry it with me so that if I needed tae move quickly I would be ready?—

I heard a commotion coming from down on the road. I looked out the window tae see a man, Asgall, graspin’ Da across his shoulders and roughly shovin’ him — Ma was upset, pleading.

I slung the bag over m’shoulder and raced from the inn, taking the steps down, two at a time. The man was directin’ Da up the street in the direction of Oakhurst.

I thought tae run back intae the inn, but I was uncertain if they would enter or not. I waited in the shadows of the entrance, and was unable tae move when they turned tae come up the steps tae the inn. I stealthily crouched low and slid under the rail tae hide beside the steps.

The alley stretched behind me. I considered running back there, but instead I hid in the pitch black, with just a sliver of a view of the front steps gleaming from the dim light of the oil lamp near the front door.

I drew my handgun and pushed it through the rail, as Asgall shoved Da in front of him with a gun in his back.

He growled at Ma, “Daena say a word, go tae the hall.”

I aimed but I couldna get a shot. Da was between us, the moment was gone.

Ma said, “Please let us go, we?—”

“Shut up, keep yer mouth closed or Magsie is dead.”

She was frantic, crying, following the monster’s directions up the steps. She momentarily paused, her eyes narrowing — she had seen me.

I shook my head and pressed my finger tae my lips, wheesht.

Asgall said, “Bitch, you better keep up.”

Ma pulled her eyes away and followed Asgall up the stairs.

Asgall was surrounded by a bodyguard: two went in behind him, one stood outside on the stairs, blocking the door and milling around outside.

I swiftly retreated down the side alley, up two steps, and slipped through the backdoor, finding myself in a small hall just off the kitchen.

And two guards were now slowly walking back and forth in the alley.

A maid rushed from the kitchen and seeing me her eyes went wide. I pressed my finger tae m’lips. “Wheesht, maiden, I am hidin’, just for a moment.”

“From what pray, sire?”

I slowly peered out from around the doorframe and whispered, “Och, from those villains.”

She crossed tae the window and peered out. “They hae guns, sire,” she whispered, shakin’ in fear.

The manager of the inn, Jacob Taylor, rushed down the hall from the dining room, carryin’ an oil lantern. “There is an uproar in the dining?—!”

He stopped short.

I whispered, looking out the back door again, “Wheesht, please, Master Taylor, please daena let them hear ye.”

He whispered, “Are you traveling with the scoundrel out there? He is holding the Campbells, a fine Scottish couple, verra wealthy!”

“They are m’parents, tis verra perilous, I must stop him afore he kills them. Can ye please check what is happenin’?”

I pressed against the wall as Master Taylor and the frightened maid crept down the passage tae look.

A moment later the maid returned. “Sire, there is a guard at the door and men outside. The man at the table with the Duke looks menacing — what does he want?”

“I am uncertain, is he facing this way?”

Master Taylor was still looking out the door, he shook his head, faintly.

Then Asgall called for service.

The maid looked terrified.

I said, “Madame, can ye please see what he wants?”

Master Taylor said, “Mary, go see to the man. Come right back.”

She glanced at me, then met the eyes of the manager and rushed away.

I crept tae the door so I could see.