CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE #4
“That will make Nick really happy.” Sam thought about the pages from the Duisean that Moray once had and that the monk of Carlisle had undoubtedly come to possess. “Did he happen to read Carlisle’s mind?”
“The Brethren are searching Carlisle Cathedral as we speak, Sam, for any parts of the Duisean. But it’s a long shot. The monk could have hidden them anywhere.”
“You’ll let me know if you find something, right?
” Sam said, already missing her sister. But it wasn’t like before.
It was a soft pang and it didn’t hurt. Tabby was fine.
Macleod was actually a great guy. And she had Brie, back there in the Middle Ages.
Brie was doing just great, too. She had Aidan.
“I will let you know. This time, we are staying in touch.”
Sam looked at her closely. “I saw Mom.”
Tabby started.
“It wasn’t real, but it was great.”
Tabby touched her. “Rose women don’t die. They go to another place.”
“That’s a myth.”
“Is it?” Tabby smiled at her, as if she knew something Sam did not.
“How are we going to stay in touch?” Sam asked.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a problem, Sam.”
What did that mean? “I am not moving to the Middle Ages!”
“I never said you were. But while some of us are meant to stay in one time, for the most part, others, not so much.”
Sam stared. “And I’m one of the others.”
“Yes, dear, you are.” Tabby suddenly hugged her. “And you have Ian now.”
Sam took a breath. “Tabby, I do love him. But he’s got a ton of scars. Everything that’s happened doesn’t mean we’re going to live happily ever after fighting the war on evil together, like you and Guy, or Brie and Aidan.”
“Of course it does!” Tabby cried happily.
“He’s your other half. I’m not going to say it will be easy, because he has a long road of healing ahead.
But he has taken the first steps. And you have learned compassion.
The two of you are meant to be each other’s teachers. You are each other’s soul mates.”
Sam sat down on a gold brocade chair. “He left me.”
“Really?” Tabby gave her a look. “Well, you’re certainly a couple now if I ever saw one.”
Before Sam could object, Brie came into the room. She rushed to Sam and hugged her. “You’re still the strongest woman I’ve ever met. I’m so proud of you.”
“Me?” Sam laughed, and she actually hugged her back. “Look at you! All grown up, so pretty—so centered! Where is my shy geek?”
Brie laughed. “She grew up, fast. Oh, Sam. We’re all so lucky, aren’t we?” Tears came to her eyes.
Sam thought about the three of them and Allie. She thought about Ian and Guy and Aidan. She thought about her mother. “Yeah, we’re so lucky.”
Brie gave her a motherly look. “And you are going back to work for Nick.”
Sam bit her lip. “Well, if he grovels, I suppose I do need an income. And he is handing over Ian’s file with no strings.”
“See, he isn’t that bad.” Brie laughed, then sobered. “We have to go.”
Sam tensed, looking at Tabby.
“It’s not forever,” her sister said. “And this is a good thing, because you need to start your life with Ian.”
“Since when did you become so wise? But I guess a couple of centuries will do that to a Rose.” Sam walked them both to the door. Okay, so it did hurt a little. “Do you really have to go right now?”
“Yes, we do,” Tabby said. “Innocence is in need in 1527. And I miss home.”
“Okay, my lady, but it’s not goodbye. It’s see you soon.”
“In L.A.,” Brie retorted. “You owe us dinner.”
Sam laughed.
When Brie and Tabby were gone, Sam pulled on her jeans and tank top, oddly happy and excited. She already missed them, of course she did. But every Rose woman had a destiny, and hers was Ian Maclean.
She went still.
Her destiny was so much more than slaying. She felt it deep in her bones.
And he loved her, too. She’d heard him. When she was dying, she’d heard him thinking about how he couldn’t live without her. It was mutual.
Sam felt his presence and power. She looked up.
Ian stood in the doorway, clearly just having showered, his hair still damp.
He was clad in jeans and a black polo and that Cartier watch, so sexy, so elegant, still somehow dangerous—the best sight she’d ever seen.
But they were both entering territory they’d never dared enter before.
And his expression was so somber, so searching. What did that mean? “Hey.”
“Hi.” He came forward. “How do ye feel?”
“Better than ever,” she said softly, aware that her heart was exulting. “Care to join me for a drink?”
“I want to talk first.” He walked forward and pulled her into his arms.
Sam was surprised by the display of affection. But his hard body had an instant effect on her. “Hey. Are you okay?”
He was thoughtful. “Today, I faced my worst tormentors and recalled the worst moments of my past.”
Sam went still. She searched his face. The terrible haunted look was gone from his eyes. “You look different,” she said cautiously.
His smile came and went. “I feel different. My worst nightmare, until today, was facing Moray again.”
She touched his cheek. “But you did it. He’s gone.”
He slowly shook his head. “It was my worst nightmare. But my worst nightmare is having ye die, Sam.”
“I didn’t die, Ian.” She hesitated. Then she decided to just do it. “I heard you.”
He flushed. “Did ye see the Ancients?”
So he’d avoid declaring his feelings. That was okay. She nodded. “Yeah, I did.”
“MacNeil asked me to join the Masters. I agreed. I’m to take my vows shortly.”
Sam was thrilled and as he smiled, she realized how pleased he was, too. She grasped his arms, only to suddenly realize what that might mean. “You’re leaving me,” she said, alarmed.
He quickly shook his head. “No. I made that mistake once. I’ll never make it again.”
She gasped, stunned. “What did you just say?”
“I said I’m not leaving you.” His gray eyes blazed. “I’m allowed to live out of my time—with ye—and that is what I will do.”
She started to see the future—a future she’d never dreamed of. She and Ian in New York, best friends, partners, lovers and soul mates, fighting the war together.
“I’ll always have yer back,” he said roughly. “If ye let me.”
She laid her head on his chest and felt his heart pounding there. “Good. That makes two of us.”
He tilted up her face and their gazes met. “It won’t be easy. I won’t be easy.”
“I love a challenge.”
He smiled a little. “I didn’t think I’d ever have this chance.”
Sam smiled at him. Her heart thundered with joy. “You deserve more than a chance. You deserve happiness. You deserve a family. You deserve to be one of the Masters.” She added, “You even deserve me.”
“Do I?”
She rubbed her knuckles in the hollow of his chest. “Hey. That’s my call, and I have no doubt—my answer is yes.”
“But why?” His gaze was brilliant, searching. “Why me? Why?”
She didn’t have to think about it. “Because you’re the strongest, bravest man I’ve ever met. Because you’re my other half.”
“Ye know my secrets.”
“Yes, I do.” She stood on her toes to kiss him firmly. “And that’s why I love you so damned much.”
His gaze was moist. “I love ye,” he said hoarsely. “I’d die fer ye, Sam.”
“I know. But don’t worry, no one’s dying in the next few hundred years. Except for the bad guys, of course.”
He pulled her closer. His body was damned interesting now. “Of course.”
Sam tugged on his belt. She loved him so much and she had never wanted him more. “Hey. I have a great idea. Why don’t we go upstairs and make good old Rupert his sex tape?”
Ian Maclean laughed.
And the sound was rich and deep, the sound of a man letting go of his past.