Chapter 37
Their spirit woke Kieran hours before daylight the next day, telling him he had to hurry to Loch Ness. Wasting no time, he shook his mate saying, “Macushla, get up, we need to go right away.”
Turning over and opening one eye, Logan murmured, “What is it babe? Go where?”
“I’m needed at Loch Ness! That’s why I had to be in Scotland. C’mon.” Kieran jumped out of bed and grabbed some clothes. “If you aren’t up by the time I’m dressed, I’m leaving without you.”
That did it. Logan growled and opened both eyes. “Babe, I’m getting up but tell me, what’s going on.”
Kieran pulled on his skinny jeans as he hopped his way to the bathroom, calling over his shoulder, “Ask our spirit!”
Rubbing the rest of the sleep from his eyes, Logan located their spirit and finally understood what Kieran was talking about. Groaning, he rose, grabbed his jeans and a sweatshirt before joining his mate in the bathroom. “I thought we would have a few days before you had to do this.”
“I thought so, too, but we spent those days in Ireland, macushla. We have to leave word with Theo and Norman, so they’re not upset again.”
“How much do they know about who you are?”
“Nothing really. They just know they felt better every time I touched them, but they do know about my spirit telling me I had to be in Scotland this week.” Kieran had finished applying his eyeliner and tinted lip gloss.
“Shit, I don’t know what I’m doing! This is the first time I have my full powers. What if I fuck up?”
Logan grasped Kieran’s shoulders and said, “Look at me babe, we are in this together, so let’s promise each other we will make sure neither of us fucks up, okay?”
Kieran nodded, feeling the love of his mate calm him down. “What do we tell everyone?”
“Leave that to me,” Logan assured him. “I’ll send a group text out and then one to my brother and Miss L asking them to take care of Theo and Norman until we get back.” Once he’d done that, Logan grabbed some warm jackets then, he and Kieran headed out.
A quick consultation with the staff had a car and driver showing up in ten minutes, and they were off in the early morning darkness.
Logan had Kieran tucked in under his arm with his mate’s head resting on his chest. Listening to Kieran’s even breathing as his mate slept, Logan asked the driver how long it would take to get to Loch Ness and, after finding out, he decided to join Kieran in some much-needed sleep after their late night, yesterday.
~/~/~/~/~
The ding on his phone woke Colton, and after reading his brother’s message, he had no choice but to wake Ian up.
Making their way to Theo and Norman’s suite, they hoped to wake them before they saw Logan’s text.
Knocking several times before the door opened, Colton found Theo and Norman dressed. “Hi guys, where are you going?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but we’re going to meet Kieran,” growled Norman.
“Uhmm, meet him where? Didn’t you get Logan’s message?” asked Colton.
“Yes, we did, and we also got Kieran’s message. He needs our help and support, so if you’ll excuse us, we have to be on our way,” Norman said, impatiently.
“Norman, would you please wait a minute? I only received something from Logan. What did Kieran say, because if he’s in danger so is Logan and I have to go with you,” Colton said.
“Here, see for yourself,” Theo said, handing over his phone.
Quickly scanning the message, Colton asked, “Kieran has a spirit? What’s that? Kieran talks to it?”
“Let me see, babe,” Ian said. “Holy fuck! Okay, I’ll explain on the way, but we have to go with Theo and Norman.
Would you send a text to Lizzie asking her to take care of my parents until we get back?
Come on, boys, let’s go. There isn’t a minute to lose.
” Turning, he headed towards the concierge desk and after making arrangements for a car to take them to Loch Ness, he grabbed the elevator with Colton, Theo, and Norman in tow.
As they left Edinburgh, Colton was eager to know why they were rushing off in the middle of the night to chase after his brother and Kieran, but his mate remained silent on the matter until he heard him through their mind link.
Babe, thanks for being patient. When I was stationed in a remote hospital in the Arctic, an old Shaman came in with an infected leg wound.
Well, it was touch and go, but eventually, he recovered and left.
It was while I was trying to save his leg that he told me a story about a unique Shaman with godly powers who was given to the shifters on earth.
I was only half listening until he said the Shaman would have need of my abilities.
That caught my attention and I asked when I’d meet this shifter.
He told me if I ever came across a shifter who had a spirit just make sure I stayed close to him.
Why didn’t anyone tell me about Kieran having a spirit?
Sorry, babe, nobody told me either. Of course, Cody did want the boys to be examined but after the blow up with Norman, Cody later told me he’d decided to wait until everything settled down. Sorry I didn’t mention it, but I didn’t think it was a big deal. What godly powers does Kieran have?
I don’t know, and I doubt anyone else knows except Logan and Oracle. And the old Shaman couldn’t tell me anything else.
So, Theo and Norman don’t know?
No, I think they only know he has a spirit but have no idea of its importance.
Did the old Shaman tell you why you will be needed?
No, just that my abilities would be, so I’m assuming Kieran will need a doctor.
Fuck! If that’s the case, we’re going to have a problem with Logan when you treat him.
Maybe. Let’s just take it slowly. Okay, babe?
Sure, C’mon, let’s get some sleep. Colton wrapped his arms around his mate and pulled Ian tight to him. Looking over, he smiled at the pile of arms and legs of Theo and Norman. Soon the car was silent except for faint snores coming from the sleeping shifters.
~/~/~/~/~
The sun had risen while Logan and Kieran slept and by the time they awakened, it was close to eight o’clock when they reached the outskirts of Inverness. What now, babe? Logan asked through their mind link.
Consulting his spirit, Kieran received his next instructions. We need to find Captain Brian Crannach. His charter business offers cruises on Loch Ness. Then he sent a text off to Norman and Theo, telling them where to go once they arrived.
Logan said to the driver, “We need to see Captain Brian Crannach, I think he’s down at the docks because he offers cruises on Loch Ness. Do you know where he is?”
“Aye, everybody knows the Captain.”
Logan smiled at his mate—so far they hadn’t run into any problems. Whatever Kieran was supposed to do, it seemed it wasn’t going to be difficult at all—and that was just fine with him.
Knowing his mate was pregnant made Logan extra protective, if that was possible.
Cuddling Kieran closer to him, Logan bent down, seeking his mate’s scent in order to keep his wolf calm.
Logan was cautious; they were surrounded by humans and any perceived threat to his mate would have his wolf surging forward in fighting mode.
Feeling the car stop, Logan glanced up and looked around, assessing any potential danger to his mate.
Finding none, he opened the car door and helped Kieran out.
Spotting a sign for the Captain’s cruises, he turned back to the driver and told him to get some breakfast and relax until they returned.
Taking Kieran’s hand, Logan led him down the dock until they reached Captain Crannach’s boat. “Hello, anyone aboard?” Logan called.
At first, nothing was heard but then Logan saw a head pop up from a hatch and look at them. He watched as the man sniffed them, before coming the rest of the way up, after which he walked over to them.
“Aye, you’re late, come on now, get aboard.”
“Are you Captain Crannach? We’re interested in a…”
“Aye, aye, get aboard. Too many prying eyes and big ears around. Hi Shaman, I’ve been expecting you.”
Kieran smiled at the old shifter and, taking his offered hand climbed aboard the boat, as Logan followed him. Glancing around, Kieran said, “Fabulous boat, Captain. Do you do all the work on it?”
“Aye, this is my sweetheart, the love of my life. She’s fast and ye won’t find a better boat on the Loch.” Waving his hand toward the cushioned seat running the width of the boat, he continued, “Have a seat there while I get underway.”
Logan grasped Kieran’s hand as they sat where the Captain had pointed. This was the first time he’d ever been on a boat, so he was trying to remember what little he knew about going out on the water. Babe, I think we need some life vests. Would you ask him where they are?
Why don’t you?
Because he likes you better than me.
How do you know that?
Trust me, babe. I know it.
Okay, but we won’t need them.
Why not? It’s proper safety procedure. I’m surprised he hasn’t offered them.
Do you trust me?
Absolutely!
Then be patient and you’ll find out why he hasn’t done so in a few minutes. You are going to love this!
Logan did as his mate suggested and kept his mouth shut. Pulling Kieran closer to him until his mate was almost on his lap, Logan kept his eyes on the Captain, wondering what was going to happen next.
Kieran held his face up to the sun as the boat sliced through the water, wasting no time getting far away from the shore. Giggling when water spray hit his face, he licked off the droplets he could reach with his tongue until Logan took over, licking Kieran’s face dry every time it got splashed.
Finally, Logan felt the boat slow down and then stop in a sheltered cove and, after looking around, he understood why this spot had been chosen. Nobody would be able to sneak up on them. Breathing a sigh of relief, Logan waited for what was coming next as Captain Crannach stood before them.
“I’m honored to meet you Shaman. Can I get you anything before we talk?”
“Nope, Captain, I’m fine but my mate might want something. Logan?”
“I’m fine. But I have a question for you if you don’t mind, Captain.”
“Not at all. I’m also honored to meet the mate of the Shaman.”
“I know you’re a shifter, but I can’t tell what kind. I’m not prying, only assessing the danger to my mate about being on the water without a life jacket.”
Chuckling, the captain looked at Kieran. “Ye didn’t tell he?”
“Nope, I like to keep him guessing.”
“Well son, y’ere right about me being a shifter, and there’s a good reason I didn’t offer any flotation devices to you.”
“I know I’m going to be had by my mate, but go ahead, hit me, what’s the reason?” asked Logan.
“Have ye ever heard of the Loch Ness monster?”
“Sure, who hasn… Holy fuck! You’re the Loch Ness Monster!”
“Well, I prefer to be called a sea serpent but yes, that is the name humans first gave me and it kinda stuck.”
“But wait, you take people out on cruises to search for you!”
“Yes sir, I do. I have a lot of fun doing it. Occasionally, my friend will take a group out and I’ll make an appearance but not too often,” the Captain said with a wink.
“Don’t want to become commonplace. A lot of people around here make their living from the Loch Ness Monster, so I do what I can to help out. ”
“Now I get it…if something happened to the boat, you’d be able to save us.” Chuckling, Logan turned to Kieran. “Later, we’re going to have a talk about keeping secrets, mate.”
Giggling, Kieran responded, “Sure, I think a perfect place to do that is in bed with my mouth wrapped…”
“Never mind,” Logan said, cutting Kieran short. “Should we get down to business? I’m pretty sure you didn’t pull me out of bed just for me to find out there’s really a Loch Ness Monster.”
Laughing at their antics, the Captain said, “Ye two are perfect for each other.” Then he turned serious. “Yer right about that, Logan. Do either of you know about the dragon clan MacDùghlas?”
Logan looked at Kieran who shook his head. “No, what about them?”
“The MacDùghlas clan is the oldest in Scotland and they’re also the richest. However, Fate hasn’t been kind to them. The head of the clan is a dragon by the name of Artur MacDùghlas and he’s sick.”
“So, what does that have to do with the Shaman? He can’t save Artur,” said Logan. “You need a doctor.”
“Aye, but he can save Artur’s son.”
“His son? Why does he need saving? And from what?” asked Logan.
“From his father,” said the Captain.
Kieran spoke. “What is his father doing to him?”
“He’s chained the boy up in a cave, refusing to feed him or give him water. If he isn’t rescued soon, the boy will die.”
“Why would a father do that?” asked Logan.
“I don’t know. All I’ve been told is the boy’s in mortal danger.”
“Something doesn’t make sense. Does Artur have more children?” Logan asked.
“No, every son born to Artur met with an untimely death. It was his wife who pleaded with the Fates to give them a healthy son to carry on the family name. Eventually, her prayers were answered, and they had Fionn, who escaped all the childhood ailments that had plagued the other dragonlets.”
“Where’s the mother? I can’t believe she’d allow this to happen to her only living son,” said Kieran.
“She died a few years ago and ever since then Artur hasn’t been the same. I’m sure his wife’s death probably accelerated his decline.”
“Where is Fionn?” asked Kieran.
“Don’t know,” said the Captain. “Only know he’s in one of the caves in Appin. We haven’t been able to find which one, but I was told you could.”
Logan looked at the Captain as if he’d lost his mind. How is Kieran supposed to discover which cave the boy is in when no one in Scotland can?