Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
The pain was a constant, low pulsing that drummed through Mason’s body. Sitting up had sapped most of his strength, but getting his shirt on had nearly undid him. He would’ve been on his arse if Rowen hadn’t woken when she did.
She intrigued him. He shouldn’t trust her, but her coming to his aid and caring for him had overshadowed that. Her warmth and authenticity drew him to her without him even realizing it. It was why the flash of fear in her gaze when he mentioned Skye took him aback.
“What do you mean Skye isn’t safe?” he asked.
Her brow wrinkled as she became absorbed in discarding her tea bag and adding sugar to the brew. He waited patiently. A few times now, she had paused before replying. It was no doubt her way of coming up with a way to tell him what she wished to convey while also keeping something to herself.
There was a quiet, methodical way about her.
And yet, in a stressful situation like getting them out of the city, she hadn’t stumbled even once.
He was beginning to think there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do.
Case in point: her exit from headquarters.
The fact that she had gotten out of there at all was surprising.
“You’re so close to Skye. Surely, you know,” she said.
Mason ate another cookie while watching her. The sugar was giving him a burst of energy and would help fight off any infections. They also gave him the calorie intake he needed. The caffeine in the tea also went a long way to making him feel better.
He finished swallowing the cookie before he said, “I know Skye well. What is it you think I should know?”
“The Druids there are dangerous.”
She issued the statement as if he were a simpleton. “Any Druid can be dangerous. The Skye Druids are the strongest of us all.”
“It has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with them attacking other groups.”
Mason’s gut twisted in fear. He kept it from his face as he asked calmly, “Where, perchance, did you get such information?”
“I don’t remember where I first heard it. Maybe one of my aunts. I think it spread through word of mouth first, but I did see it on one of the message boards. Everyone in the States knows to stay away from the isle.” Rowen walked back to the cot and sat upon the edge, tea held between her hands.
Was this Thomas’s work? Or was it another Druid group?
The Skye Druids were risking their lives for the entire world, and someone was actively working against them.
He should’ve known about this. Mason squeezed his eyes shut.
He had to learn everything so he could pass it on to Ferne.
He opened his eyes and tried to recall the name of the hacker who worked with Carlyle.
“You’re wrong about Skye,” Mason told her. “They aren’t attacking other groups. It’s the other Druids attacking them. Specifically, London and Edinburgh. Skye is merely trying to stay alive while also battling an ancient evil bent on domination.”
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Rowen asked, eyes wide.
Mason blew out a breath. “I’d rather tell you on the way. It’s a long drive. If you’re coming, that is.”
She didn’t reply.
He ran a hand over his jaw. “My sister and best friend live on Skye. I know what’s happening there. Whatever you’re being told is a lie that most likely originated within the London branch.”
“Why would they lie about Skye?”
“You were in their headquarters. You saw them. But the real answer is anger. Ages ago, Skye Druids banished a faction from their land for corruption. Those few put the reputations of the Skye Druids at risk, so they were forced out. Those Druids traveled to London and set up their own organization. Anger and resentment have been passed down year after year, generation after generation, directed at the Skye Druids and all who call the isle home.”
Rowen blinked, uncertainty in her pale blue eyes. “I’ve never heard this.”
“I’m not surprised. London doesn’t like it to get out.
They want the world to believe they are bigger and stronger than Skye.
They might have more members, but they will never best the Skye Druids.
London goes so far as to spell every child within their ranks so they’re alerted should one of them go to Skye. ”
“You just said your sister is there.”
Mason nodded slowly. “Yes, Ferne is there. So is Carlyle. My best friend, who is also Thomas’s son.”
“Who cares if someone goes to Skye, then? And why waste the energy on a spell?”
“Control. Anyone who goes to Skye is automatically banished. Not just from the London organization, but also from their families. They’re cut off forever.”
Rowen blew out a breath. “That’s harsh. And totally barbaric. No organization should have the right to dictate what a person does or doesn’t do. Definitely not what their family does. Is that why you’re going after them?”
“It’s part of it.”
“You didn’t banish Ferne, did you?”
Mason hesitated. “No, but I had to make Thomas believe I did.”
“Don’t you mean the elders?”
“The elders aren’t ruling London. They’re nothing but a show for the others. The real one in charge is Thomas.”
Rowen’s eyebrows rose on her forehead. “And his son is on Skye. I bet that didn’t go over well.”
“No one knows.”
“Does Thomas?”
His side was beginning to throb. Mason attempted to adjust in his chair, but there was no escaping the pain. “I don’t know. I think maybe he does.”
“That’s a lot to take in.”
He had only told her a portion of it. If she couldn’t handle this part, then she shouldn’t be going with him. Perhaps he shouldn’t have invited her to begin with. The opportunity to share what had happened with another person had been too great. However, he should’ve thought it out more carefully.
“If you want to get home, there might be a way across the border in Scotland. London loses a lot of control there. It would be easy to get you across to Ireland, and from there, you could board a plane to America.”
Intelligent eyes studied him. “Have you changed your mind about me going with you?”
“I’m giving you a way out. You had no idea what you stepped into by coming to London, and certainly not by helping me. You saved my life. The least I can do is get you home.”
“I knew coming to the UK would change things, but I couldn’t have imagined it would reveal so much deception. I came to take answers back to my group. If I leave now, I won’t have the full picture. Besides, you can’t drive yourself.”
He took offense to her words. “I’d get myself there.”
“And do how much damage to your wounds in the process? We have to get to Scotland, whether I’m staying with you or not. So, the decision has been made. I’ll drive. When do we leave?”
“Now.”
She rolled her eyes. “I knew you were going to say that.”
“We need to grab whatever you want from here. It’s going to be about a twelve-hour drive. I’d like to limit our stops to keep from being seen.”
Rowen jumped to her feet and finished off the last of her tea. “I’d better grab some food and drinks, then.”
“If you look in the bottom of my trunk, some of Ferne’s clothes are in there. She’s a little taller than you, but there might be something that fits.”
“Thanks,” Rowen said as she glanced down at her attire.
He waved away her words. “There should be some boots and a pair of trainers of Ferne’s in there, as well.”
Mason’s gaze ate up the sight of Rowen shoving aside her hair as she bent over to look in the chest. Her back was to him, giving him a view of her firm ass.
“Shall I grab a few things for you?” she asked, her voice muffled.
“Please.”
“Anything in particular?”
He made himself look away. “Whatever you want.”
While Rowen moved about gathering items and putting them into bags, he worked to scoot to the edge of the chair. He was still much too weak for his liking. At least he could stay awake now. If only the pain would lessen.
“Here you go,” she said and set a pair of Adidas slides at his feet.
She flashed him a grin and spun around, her strawberry tresses fanning out around her.
Rowen was right. Druids needed to know the truth about what was happening on Skye, but they also needed to learn about the real London.
It was easier nowadays to get the word out about something, but that didn’t mean everyone would believe it.
Oh, some would. Readily, in fact. But there would always be others who dismissed it.
Or worse, went to London to seek answers.
By the time he got his right foot into the slide, sweat beaded his forehead. Bloody hell, this was rough. Getting to the car would be an adventure.
One by one, Rowen set bags on the small table. He tried to stop her when he thought she was making up the bed, but she folded the blanket she had used and added it to the rest of the things they were taking.
“How far is the car?” she asked.
He nodded to the hooks on the wall. “You’ll need the second set of keys.” Once she grabbed them, he said, “If you look behind the metal cabinet, you’ll find a latch.”
When Mason had put all of this together, he had done things hoping that Ferne might be with him. He hadn’t anticipated a pretty American with grit and determination—and entirely too much bravery.
There was a soft click, and a passage between his unit and the one next door popped open.
Rowen wore a wide smile as she moved toward the opening.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she peered into the other side and then looked back at him in shock.
Mason grinned, knowing she had seen not only the car, but also the boxes within.
“Well, I think it’s safe to say you prepared,” she replied with a soft chuckle. She moved into the other unit. “This isn’t the kind of vehicle I expected to be in here.”
“That’s the point,” he replied, raising his voice so she heard him.
Mason used the table and the back of the chair to push to his feet. He didn’t attempt to put any weight on his injured leg this time. The few cookies and caffeine had given his body some energy that should allow him to hobble to the car.
“I can’t leave you for a second,” Rowen muttered as she rushed to his side and slipped his arm around her shoulders. Hers wrapped around his waist, careful not to get near the bandages on his left side.
She fit against him nicely, and the more she put herself there, the more he found he liked it.
Once more, he leaned on her for help. He tried to hop and immediately regretted it.
After that, he dragged his right leg. He was shaking and sweating by the time they reached the vehicle, the caffeine and sugar had been used up immediately.
She got the door open without releasing him and then helped him to sit down slowly. She gently lifted his right leg and set it inside. He moved his left to join the other while she brought in the bags.
Mason reclined the seat to relieve the ache in his side. He fastened his seat belt and then waited. It wasn’t long before Rowen raised the door to the unit and slid behind the wheel.