*Lorcan braced himself as the cabin came to an abrupt halt. Jaycee opened the door and pointed to Arianna and Darius. “You two can go out. I need to talk to these guys for a little bit.”
Shit! Was she going to take them up on the suggestion of a threesome? Rohese’s expression told him he wouldn’t be any more eager. But Lorcan would go along with it if it would make her any less vindictive toward Fiona.
He was also concerned about Darius and Arianna being sent from the cabin. If they died here, then Fiona’s mother would never be born…hence Fiona wouldn’t. Was that Jaycee’s end game?
A lot of other descendants wouldn’t exist either, which was one of Fiona’s fears. Angelique, her kids, who were Lorcan’s niece and nephew. He loved them like his own. He had to make sure they were born.
“What do you want from us, Jaycee Orm?” Rohese asked, impatiently glancing out the window at Darius and Arianna, who looked afraid.
“Are you in love with Fiona?” Jaycee asked both men.
Rohese didn’t stall in replying. “My heart is hers; however, I have learned she’s too headstrong. I could never make a life with her and attempt to cope with her unreasonable stubbornness.”
That surprised the hell out of Lorcan, but it obviously pleased Jaycee, for she beamed.
“And you?” She stared at Lorcan.
“Me?” Lorcan touched his chest. “Hell no, love is for masochists and idiots. Been there. Done that once. Believe me I’m not going through that again. Ever!”
“Yet you would both die for Fiona?” Jaycee said.
Lorcan shrugged. “She’s my partner and she’s a witch. I’d rather have her on my side knowing she could use her magic to save me if it comes to that.”
“What about you?” She turned to Rohese.
“I wouldn’t wish for her to die. But nor would I take joy in your death, Jaycee Orm. I would save both of you even if it meant I should die.”
“You can leave.” She looked at Rohese and gestured to the door.
“Lucky you!” Lorcan nodded to Rohese as he went out.
When Jaycee started walking toward Lorcan her sinister smile made his breath quicken. He wasn’t sure if she wanted to fuck him or kill him.
“How would you feel about being tied to the bed in there?” She nodded toward the bedroom.
“I guess that depends whether you’re into bondage or if you intend to tie me up so you can kill me and then wreak more havoc in Scotland.”
She smiled then and pushed against his chest. He sat back upon the chair and she started to untie his breeches. Guess it was sex. Maybe emasculation.
He looked to see if she appeared to have a weapon but she only reached inside his breeches. Even though his mind wasn’t in favor of this, evidently not all of him seemed opposed. He wasn’t sure whether to be glad or unhappy about that. She was holding all the cards and now his jewels.
She lifted her skirts and mounted him. This might be the closest he’d ever felt to being forced to comply sexually.
“Don’t you dare try to control my mind,” she ordered. “Just do what you do best and I might go a little easier on Fiona and her grandparents…if you impress me.”
Lorcan didn’t only want to throw her off of him, he wanted to snap her neck. But she moved above him, moaning. He simply let nature take its course. Base pleasure was primal after all. He wished he’d at least had time to use a condom.
He’d never been thrilled about the prospect of fatherhood, but siring a child with this psychotic, irrational monster was not something he’d want.
When she closed her eyes and cried out, he reached inside his tunic for the revolver he kept, but she must have suspected.
Her eyes flew open and she pulled something from within her own blouse and threw it in his face. He closed his own eyes, though it didn’t appear corrosive or even objectionable. It was a powdery substance. He inhaled and dropped his gun. When he opened his eyes, she moaned louder as she orgasmed. His own traitorous body reacted not as he would’ve wanted, for he came inside her.
She grinned and moved away.
“Oh don’t look so horrified,” she huffed. “Do you think I’d want to carry your offspring. A demon! Besides, I despise babies and children. They’re loud, smelly and so fucking needy. You have to be selfless to be a parent and believe me I have much bigger aspirations. None that include children.”
Lorcan was still trying to catch his breath and he felt dizzy.
“You really shouldn’t have tried to use a weapon against me. You failed the test, Lorcan. Oh the sex was still fantastic. You do have a gift in the lover department, Dark Irish Demon. But you will be sorry that the thought of hurting me ever entered your mind.”
She turned away from him. Before even tying his breeches, he lifted his hand to punch her bloody lights out. He wasn’t keen on hitting females, but she was vicious and she was an MB. He’d knock her out, tie her up and take her back to LAMB…after they found Fiona.
What the hell? He could barely raise his arm. He took a step. He was no longer fast. He wasn’t strong. Where were his demon superpowers? Had it been something in that powder she’d thrown on him?
He tried to use his powers of the mind, but could feel nothing. His perception? Not there. She had seriously fucked with his demon abilities.
“Something wrong, Lorcan?” She laughed. “Not feeling yourself? Or have I exhausted you?”
“What the hell did you do, Jaycee?”
“You’ll be experiencing the effects of my pixie dust.” She laughed. “Being a witch…even temporarily…does allow me to create spells and potions. I think you’ll find your demon abilities less than optimal in the next twenty-four hours, which should allow enough time for me to finish what I’ve started.”
Lorcan tied his pants, feeling totally disoriented.
“You can go now, too.” She smirked. “You’ve outlived your use. You won’t be a threat to me and no help to your darling Fiona.”
He staggered toward the door, feeling weak as a newborn. He even fought to open the cabin door. He glanced at the lantern.
“Don’t even think about it,” Jaycee warned.
Lorcan found Arianna and Darius waiting near a bluff of trees on the edge of a village. He didn’t see Rohese.
“What are we going to do?” Arianna asked.
“We’ll have to try to find the woman you claim is our granddaughter,” Darius said to Lorcan.
“You,” Jaycee hollered. “Tall, blond guy with the hot body and sexy dimple, come back in here.”
Darius stared at Arianna and shook his head.
“Over my dead body.” Arianna stood in front of Darius.
“That can be arranged,” Jaycee said. “I’ll just call for the villagers and tell them you’re a witch. You’ll be toasted before sunset.”
“You are not going in there!” Arianna snarled at Darius. “For I know what she wants of you.”
“Yeah.” Lorcan nodded. “That’s what she wants all right.”
“Then she will need to be dealt with straightaway.”
“Be careful, Arianna,” Lorcan warned, still feeling woozy. “She is dangerous.”
“So yer sayin’ I should let my husband fornicate with another woman because she might harm us?”
“I’m saying she messed with my powers and she might be able to do that with your magic, too. I have a feeling we will need it, yet if you use magic openly…well that could be really bad.”
Lorcan remembered Fiona telling him that Arianna had been tied to a stake and that was now a distinct possibility.
When a group of villagers approached, Lorcan tried to determine if they appeared to be a suspicious lot. Maybe they all were in historic Scotland.
“You said we were to meet you here,” a short man with a paunchy belly called to Jaycee.
“Aye, these are the ones I told ye about. She’s a witch. Look at her hair. Have you ever seen such a fiery red mane? Her husband, the tall light-haired man, has been affected by her evil and will try to protect her. You’ll have to detain him. And the other, with the black hair…well he consorts with demons.”
“What proof have ye?” the man who appeared to be the leader asked.
“I heard them planning to wait till darkness fell and then come to you townsfolk and do dark devilish acts with you.” She blushed. “That one has already had his wicked way with me against my will.” She nodded toward Lorcan and lowered her head like she was ashamed.
Lorcan’s own head was presently swimming, but he found this so bizarre he let out an untimely laugh.
“You think this to be a laughing matter?” the man asked. “Then ye must be afflicted with Satan’s will. You violated the woman and are amused by it.”
“She’s makin’ it all up,” Arianna said. “She’s the evil one and she just tried to fornicate with my husband.”
All eyes went to Jaycee.
“I warned you they’d make up absurd accusations.” She put her hand to her mouth, looking innocent.
“Who are you going to believe?” Lorcan asked. “The three of us or one spurned woman who only wants to make trouble for us? She’s annoyed that I love another. She, the wanton woman she is, tempted me and permitted me to have my way with her without any promise of marriage or betrothal.”
A few people gasped. The group spoke amongst themselves, staring at Jaycee—who for the first time looked less than confident.
“Take them all to the prison,” the leader called. “We will keep them for questioning and observation.”
“And test them for witchery,” a woman called.
Everyone nodded.
“There may be cause for trials,” another said.
“I will build the four pyres,” a morbid-looking man offered. “For there is almost always truth to these accusations.”
“I will not withstand witch tests or a trial…not again!” Arianna whispered.
Lorcan was sure Darius stood taller and appeared even more formidable in trying to protect his love.
“If you can get back inside the cabin,” Lorcan whispered to the others. “No one here should be able to get in unless they’re a witch.”
Jaycee must have had the same thought, for she slowly began backing up toward the cabin.
“No, you don’t!” Arianna called and she lifted her hand, pushing Jaycee against the structure with her magic.
There were several gasps and horrified looks.
“I told you.” Jaycee sounded pleased. “The devil has given her powers.”
“Take them, now,” the portly man called, but the others didn’t appear eager to approach Arianna.
“Get inside the cabin,” Lorcan said through gritted teeth.
Arianna turned to run and Darius punched several men, trying to get to her. Lorcan hit a couple as well, bloody annoyed he didn’t have his demon abilities.
Jaycee made it to the door first and Arianna lifted her hand again. She raised the entire cabin and dropped it a good few yards away.
That probably sealed all their fates, for several other villagers surrounded them.
“Should I encase them in hellfire?” Arianna said quietly. “For it may be the only way.”
“It’s her you should light ablaze, my wee witch,” Darius whispered pointing to Jaycee.
Apparently, Lorcan still had his demon hearing.
Where the hell was Rohese in all this? Lorcan tried to speak to him telepathically but with no results. Maybe he was here but using his selective invisibility.
Lorcan shook his head when he saw another Jaycee step out of the cabin. His mind really was messed up by that magical powder. Was he seeing things?
“Sister, are you well? Have the witch, devil and demon tried to harm you again?”
Shit, was she a clone or was there really another twin…or perhaps a triplet, Lorcan supposed? Maybe she wasn’t bipolar at all, but bi person. Or was one from the past, like when there’d been the two Roheses?
“We are renowned witchfinders,” the Jaycee at the cabin door professed. “We have followed these evildoers for some time now.”
“You’re so full of shite!” Arianna shouted. “They’re the witches,” she said to the villagers. “Don’t be fooled by their treachery.”
“Take them all to the prison!” the leader blared.
“Nae…for we’re liable to be killed trying,” another man said.
“We’re possibly fated to die by their hand at any rate,” a woman said, fearfully.
Lorcan’s mouth went dry when he heard a rumble and looked toward the sound. Another group of villagers, probably three hundred strong, marched toward them. They waved swords and knives, pitchforks and hoes. Lorcan shook his head.
“Can you create a portal to get us out of here?” he asked Arianna.
She looked at him as though he’d gone mad. Guess that gave him his answer. She didn’t even know about portals yet.
“Perhaps we should go peacefully and hope that the prince can find your granddaughter and they’ll come to our aid!” Lorcan said it loud enough that if Rohese was near he’d hear.
Without his power of telepathy Lorcan wouldn’t even know if Rohese had tried to speak to him that way.
Darius shook his head placing himself in front of Arianna. She looked afraid. Would she risk killing this many people with her hellfire?
Sadly they were typical of most suspicious people during many eras in history and only acting out of fear.
Several men surrounded them. Arianna looked up at Darius. They were probably all resigned that using magic was a catch-22. It might temporarily save them but could very well see them put to death.
They’d need to get back inside the cabin in order to get to their time. If Arianna and Darius were killed it would ensure Fiona was never born.
Lorcan hoped his demon powers would return soon…that it wouldn’t be twenty-four hours as Jaycee claimed. He saw the two Jaycees glance at one another. The second, nearest the door, flung it open and the other held out her hand and drew her sister toward her. They went inside, slammed the door, and the cabin disappeared.
There were shrieks of terror from the crowd. Some dropped to their knees to pray, others crossed themselves. Still others ran off. Yet some remained, probably still intent on doing away with them.
Darius and Lorcan tried to fight them off. Arianna used magic to throw several to the ground, which would surely ensure she’d be put to death. Darius punched some of them so hard, he might’ve killed them.
They were already going to die. Lorcan pulled out his revolver, surprised Jaycee hadn’t taken it. He fired a couple of warning shots to frighten them away. Then he shot a couple who charged him. Then a group of a dozen of the most determined men knocked Lorcan over. He couldn’t seem to even use his martial arts skills in his weakened state.
One hit Darius with a shovel and finally took him down. Arianna screamed and several caught fire. A few arrows, which were apparently invisible until they hit someone, flew into some of the men trying to surround Arianna. Thank God. Prince Rohese was here and trying to help.
The mob then threatened to kill Darius so Arianna surrendered. They tied their hands and led them toward the large stone building that must be a prison.
Looked like Goldilocks would have to be their knight in shining armor unless Lorcan’s powers returned fast.
*
Lorcan and Darius bore a shitload of scrapes and bruises. Lorcan knew Darius would have gladly snapped their necks or beat them to a bloody pulp. But Arianna was in a different cell and he wouldn’t risk her being harmed. They could at least see through the barred window on the door that she was in a cell with only women.
“Do you really believe this half-elf half-fairy man will find the woman you claim is our granddaughter and help us escape?” Darius whispered so that the dozen other men held here didn’t hear.
“I will if I am able,” a voice said.
“Who said that?” a wrinkled old man asked.
“You hearing things again, Douglas?” another prisoner asked.
“No, I hear a voice. I swear to ye.”
Lorcan nudged Darius and they walked to the door, pretending to only look to see Arianna, who waved to them.
“I will attempt to find Fiona Maguire,” the whispered voice said.
Lorcan could now vaguely see the shimmering mystical light that always surrounded Rohese.
“Does anyone know where the MacIntire clan can be found?” Lorcan asked the men in the cell.
“They’re all over our land but I did hear there’s several clans gathering near the river, for it’s said William Wallace has an army he’ll be taking against the English.”
“Aye, we heard that, too,” another replied.
“I’d rather be there than stuck in here,” the oldest man said.
“We all would,” a lad, barely a man, replied.
“I think you’ll find Fiona with Angus MacIntire,” Lorcan whispered.
“I will return with her,” Rohese said.
Lorcan nodded, hoping they’d be able to help and not only put themselves in danger.