Chapter 26
Tavis leaned closer and studied his chest. His marks started below his collarbone and came down at an angle over his chest. Almost like the letter V. Now there was a line intertwined through them.
He tried to swallow, but his mouth felt like it was stuffed with straw. He grabbed up his jeans and shirt, putting them on as he ran to the door. He stepped out and hurried to Faelan’s room. He tapped softly, and a moment later Faelan answered.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Come in. Bree’s in the kitchen.”
When he stepped inside, Tavis opened his shirt. “What’s this?”
Faelan studied Tavis’s battle marks. “I’ve never seen anything like it. When did this happen?”
“I noticed it a while ago. I was about to take a shower.”
“I don’t know what to make of it.”
“It’s his mate mark,” Bree said, standing inside the doorway.
“How do you know that?” Faelan asked.
She walked over to Tavis and touched his chest.
Faelan frowned at her. “I don’t like you touching his chest.”
She ignored him and ran her fingers over Tavis’s marks. “His brother’s keeper will find his heart.”
“That’s what his marks say?” Faelan asked.
Tavis touched his chest. “No one can read battle marks.”
“Bree’s not normal.”
“You have a way of making that sound like an insult.”
“Special, you’re very special. And not normal. If you’d just stop being so reckless.”
“We’re not here to discuss my recklessness. Tavis needs our help.”
“I don’t want a bloody mate mark.”
“You don’t want Anna?” Faelan asked.
Tavis ran a hand through his hair. “I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t want your child?” Bree asked.
“Aye, I want my child. Damnation. I don’t know what I want.”
“Sleep.” Bree pulled his shirt together and patted his chest. “Everything makes more sense with a good night’s sleep.
He didn’t go to sleep. He walked to Ronan’s door and knocked.
Ronan opened the door. He looked like he’d been asleep.
“Anna’s not going to Montana.”
“I know. I never intended for her to go.” Ronan yawned. “Is that all you wanted?”
“Aye.”
“Good night.” Ronan shut the door.
* * *
Anna couldn’t sleep.Tavis loved her? He’d looked as surprised and sick as she felt after he blurted it out. Part of her was thrilled. Most of her wanted to run away. She pulled out Angus’s notebook, wishing he was here so she could talk to him. She saw another entry that confused her.
“I’ve decided to tell Anna as soon as I return to Scotland. Other than me, I think Walter the Watcher is the only one who knows the truth. He won’t tell. He only told me because he knows I love her. But I can’t keep something this important from her. Even though it may destroy her.”
Walter the Watcher was the man she and Angus had met with before Angus left for America. Walter had known her mother. What was he talking about? What did Angus know that could destroy her? She searched for several more minutes before she found the answer. It was a thousand times worse than she could have imagined.
She was still staring at the page, when Tristol appeared in her bedroom. “Do you want to know where to find Voltar?”
“Yes,” Anna said, her mind numb. Too numb to be alarmed that an ancient demon had just walked into her bedroom.
* * *
“Bree.”
She opened her eyes and saw Faelan staring at her. “What’s wrong?”
He looked at her as if she’d been levitating on the bed. “I think you were dreaming.”
“So.” She dreamed a lot.
“This was strange,” he said.
“More than usual?”
“You were chanting.”
Bree frowned. “That’s new. What was I saying?”
“Darkness inside. You said it over and over.”
“I think I was dreaming about Anna.”
“What does that mean?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t remember the dream.”
“Anna’s been through hell. It’s no wonder she feels dark inside,” Faelan said.
“I sensed something when I first met her. Like a shadow inside her. I thought it was because she’s a loner. I hope that’s what it is.”
Faelan leaned up on his elbow. “You’d better not be saying she’s the traitor Angus was talking about. My brother’s in love with her, and he’s suffered enough. Losing a son he didn’t know he even had. Captured and tortured by a demon who thought he was me.”
And now he was going to have another child, and the mother was miserable. Poor Tavis. Poor Anna. Bree touched Faelan’s chest. “I’m sure I’m just sensing all the horrible things she’s been through.”
“This time you have my blessing to play matchmaker. We can’t let that bairn come into this world without a proper mother and father.”
“We won’t.”
“If that doesn’t work, I’ll shake some sense into both of them.”
“I’m glad Tavis is here.”
“Me too. It’s like he never left.”
“And he’s going to be a father too. Both of you, fathers. And Cody and Shay are getting married tomorrow. All this talk makes me want to have sex.”
Faelan groaned. “Did you have to go and say it? I’m trying not to think about it.”
“I don’t see the harm. I’m not under doctor’s orders to rest.”
“You’re under my orders to rest. I’m trying to take care of you. You’ve had a lot of stress and the shock of finding Tavis’s grave. We should wait a couple more days. At least one.”
“You’d make a lousy doctor,” Bree said, and pulled off her gown.
* * *
With the moonshining in through the open window, Shay could see Cody standing with his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans, and for a moment, she was seventeen again, secretly in love with her best friend. Terrified that someone would find out, never dreaming he’d felt the same way.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I saw something outside. It’s just Anna.”
“I feel so bad for her and Tavis.”
“Yeah, me too. They should just get married and get it over with.” Cody turned and smiled at her. “Speaking of marriage, are you ready to become Mrs. Cody MacBain?”
The wedding would take place in a little chapel on the grounds of the Albany castle. “I already am. Remember our secret handfasting?”
“Yes. And I remember the way we celebrated in the hayloft. But this is for the world to see.” His expression grew somber. “I’m so sorry for all those secrets and lies. I could understand if you didn’t want to marry me.”
“You were trying to protect me.” Shay climbed out of bed and walked over to Cody. She wrapped her arms around his waist, brushing her fingers along the top of his hips. “Just try to get away from me now.” She spent a few minutes proving that she had no intention of letting him go.
“I’m sorry the wedding is rushed, but I’m not letting the Council drag you away. Maybe we should have a baby if that’ll get them off our backs.”
As always, the mention of a baby made her heart ache for the one they’d lost. Cody touched her stomach and leaned his forehead against hers. She knew he was thinking of the tiny grave they’d visited on the way here. They’d stood side by side gazing down on the gravestone.
“We’ll wait,” Cody said, his voice thick. “Give it more time.” He kissed her and stepped back. “I have something for you. We all—Nina, my parents and brothers—we thought you should have these.” He walked to the mantel and brought back a box. He opened it. Inside were two thin gold wedding bands. “We think they belonged to your parents. Marcas found them in Malek’s things.”
“Did he find their bodies?” Malek had dug up her parents’ graves searching for proof that Shay was alive, when the whole world thought she was dead.
Cody shook his head. “Not yet.”
“Why do you think these belonged to my parents?”
“There’s something engraved inside,” Cody said. “I don’t know what it means. My father recognized the markings.”
Shay rubbed her fingers over the worn gold rings and felt something warm inside her. Another piece of the parents she hadn’t known.
* * *
“You’rethe most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.” Nina stood beside Shay in front of the floor-length mirror, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “My little tomboy all grown up and getting married.” She and Matilda, along with Bree and Sorcha and Cody’s mother, Laura, were helping her get ready. Mostly they were reminiscing and trying not to cry.
“Thank you, Nina. I think it’s just the dress,” Shay said, turning to look at the side. The dress was simple but stunning. A sleeveless creation in white satin that flowed gracefully to the floor. She and Bree had found it in a little shop in Albany. Shay wished she could have worn her mother’s, but everything from her parents’ lives had been destroyed to protect her.
“It’s not just the dress,” Matilda said. “You’re such a lovely girl. If I could have had a daughter, I would have wanted her to be like you. But I couldn’t have kids.”
“Oh, Matilda. I didn’t know. I’m sorry. You would have been a... fascinating mother.”
“Thank you, dear. You’re sweet to put up with all my untapped maternal instincts. I know I frustrated you and the boys sometimes.”
“Matilda, I adore you.” Even when she was driving her crazy. “Cody and his brothers adore you too.”
“Maybe you could put in a good word for me with Jamie. He’s still mad at me, and I know he still has feelings for you even though you’re marrying Cody.”
“Now, Matilda,” Nina said. “Let’s not talk about Jamie. This is Cody’s day. I always knew you two were meant for each other.”
Matilda nodded. “You and Cody were like a fairy tale.” Matilda started sniffling. “We’d better get out of here, Nina, before we ruin our makeup. It took me forever to look this good.”
Nina gave Shay another hug, and she and Matilda left.
“I’m going to look for Anna,” Sorcha said. “I don’t know where she could be.”
“With everything going on, she probably just needs time alone.”
“If she doesn’t hurry, she’s going to miss the wedding,” Sorcha said.
“You do look beautiful,” Laura said. She took Shay’s hands. “You were always like a daughter to me, but I’m glad this day has come. I always hoped it would happen.” Her eyes started glistening. “I should go before I have both of us in tears. I love you. We all do.” She hugged Shay and left. Only Bree remained.
“Are you nervous?” Bree asked.
Shay thought about it a moment and then shook her head. “Excited.”
“Liar.”
Shay smiled. “Well, maybe nervous too.”
“I was the same way.”
“You had good reason, marrying a man from the nineteenth century.”
“At least you’re marrying someone from this century. And one hell of a man, if I might add.”
“He is hot, isn’t he?”
“Completely. Sorcha still drools over him.”
“Not as much as she drools over Duncan,” Shay said rolling her eyes. Then she sighed. “I feel guilty getting married with so much happening.”
“We’re in love with warriors. There’s always going to be craziness.”
“Does it worry you knowing you’re bringing a child into this life?” Shay asked.
A shadow crossed Bree’s face. “I try not to think about it. Instead, I think how lucky I am to have found Faelan. And you should think how lucky you are that you found Cody again after all these years. Don’t feel guilty about the wedding. If Shane’s right, this might keep the Council at bay for now. You don’t want them dragging you off somewhere for questioning.” Bree frowned. “Or testing.”
“Could they really do that?”
“I don’t know. The Council makes me nervous.”
“Cody doesn’t like them,” Shay said.
“I thought he was going to walk out of the room when they grilled him about telling you who you really were. But everyone in the room would have walked with him.” Bree touched Shay’s hand. “No matter what, you have people behind you. If you get married or don’t. If you have a baby or don’t. The warriors will always be there to protect you.” Bree giggled. “Actually we’re warriors. Isn’t that a hoot?”
“You’re starting to talk like Matilda. You’ve been spending too much time with her and that cat,” Shay said. “You’re becoming as obsessed with it as she is.”
“It’s a strange cat. I can’t figure it out.”
“You don’t think it killed that vampire, do you?” Shay asked.
Bree shrugged. “Something killed it. I doubt it was Matilda’s holy water. Okay, enough talk. We have a wedding in…” she checked her watch, “…ten minutes, and a hot groom who won’t want to wait.”
“I can’t believe Anna didn’t show up to help.”
“She’s probably with Tavis,” Bree said. There was a tap on the door. “Maybe that’s her.”
But it was Lachlan who stuck his head in. “Looking good.”
“Thanks, Lach. Have you seen Anna?” Shay asked.
“No. Thought she was up here.” Lach was supposed to escort Anna down the aisle.
“No. Where could she be?” Bree asked.
“She’ll show up. You ladies about ready?” Lach asked.
“Another minute and we’ll be done,” Shay said.
Lach winked and stepped out.
“There’s a walking heartbreak,” Bree said. “Just like Ronan.”
“He always had some girl after him when we were growing up.”
Bree made a final adjustment to Shay’s hair and gave her an almost hug and an air kiss.
“What kind of hug is that?”
“The kind that doesn’t want to mess up your hair, makeup, and dress.”
“Forget that,” Shay said, and grabbed Bree in a tight hug. “I’m so glad to have a sister.”
“Me too. Did you just sniffle?” Bree leaned back. “No crying. I worked too hard on this getup. Okay, sister. Let’s go see your gorgeous groom.”
The wedding party was waiting in the castle chapel. From Shay’s quick glimpse, it was crowded for a spontaneous wedding. They’d worked miracles to pull it off. Cody’s father, Ewan MacBain, had offered to give Shay away. He’d been like a father to her. Ewan’s last mission had been to sneak Shay out of Scotland when she was a baby, in order to hide her from an ancient demon who was trying to kill her. Ewan had moved his entire family and started a new life to protect her. His sons had taken part in the deception. Shay had resented them at first, but now she understood why they’d had to do it. She wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t.
Ewan smiled and reached for her hand. “Are you ready to marry my stubborn son?”
“I am. And thank you for agreeing to give me away.”
“It’s my honor. Before I do, I want you to know that with or without Cody, you’ll always be family. But I’m glad you two finally saw the light. I knew the first time I saw Cody trotting after you on the Big Wheel that you were meant to be together.” He patted her hand.
It took a minute to realize the rest of the wedding party were anxiously whispering. Faelan looked pissed.
“What’s going on?” Shay asked.
“We’re still missing a bridesmaid,” Sorcha said.
“And a brother,” Faelan added. “Tavis and Anna are both missing.”
“I hope they didn’t elope,” Shay said.
“Tavis wouldn’t do that,” Faelan said, but his frown deepened.
“That would be rude, eloping in the middle of your wedding,” Sorcha said.
“Maybe they’re having a... talk,” Marcas said.
“More like in a closet somewhere getting it on,” Lach said.
The music started. “What do we do?” Shay asked.
“Go ahead with the ceremony,” Bree said.
“The numbers are screwed up without Anna,” Shay said.
“No problem,” Sorcha said. “Lachlan, Marcas.” She held out each arm. The men each took an arm, and they started down the aisle. Sorcha gave Duncan a gloating look as she passed him. He shook his head in disgust.
Faelan and Bree went next. When it was Shay’s turn, she stepped into the aisle on Ewan’s arm, and her eyes moistened to see her family and friends there. Aunt Nina and Matilda were sitting next to Laura. Jamie gave her a smile and nodded. He was sitting beside Cody’s FBI contact, the sexy Samantha Skye. Jamie had thought Cody wouldn’t want him at the wedding. Honestly, Cody probably didn’t, but Shay did. Jamie was part of her life, her friend, even if he wasn’t the man she was in love with.
Cody MacBain. Her best friend. Her soulmate. Her destined mate. He stood at the front of the chapel looking gorgeous, just as Bree had said. Intense hazel eyes locked on hers as she walked to him. His lips were slightly parted, his hair a bit too long. He’d worn his kilt, at her request, and he looked so handsome she wanted to cry.
Finally, after all the deception and betrayal, it had all turned out perfect. Shay was halfway down the aisle when the back door burst open.
Tavis stood there, his face ashen. “I think Anna’s been kidnapped.”