Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

Craignamore

The ping of shattering glass echoed through the sitting room.

Rylie dove from the window seat, a musket ball hurling over her head. She glanced above and locked eyes with Catriona.

The woman stood at the bookcase, her mouth open, a crimson spot veining over the roses embroidered across her gown's bodice. She lifted her hand to her waist but said not a single word before collapsing to the floor.

Rylie crawled across the rug, the rough wool fibers scraping her fingers.

At Cat's slumped body, she reached over and pulled her close. She cradled her head. "Don't die on me." Grief overwhelmed her every inch, and it had nothing to do with the state of her own fate being tied to Catriona and Craignamore. She'd grown fond of the woman who'd kindly welcomed her.

Spreading her fingers, Rylie pressed her hand against Catriona's stomach. "Tell me what I need to do." Tears clouded her eyes.

Catriona stared up at her, her frail hand reaching for Rylie's wrist. "Tell him I love him. Tell Magnus."

"You'll be able to tell him yourself. I promise."

"No," Catriona countered. "You are a brave woman, Rylie. But even you cannot prolong my life. Though I am grateful for your attempt."

"You know who I am?" Shock coursed through Rylie's veins.

"I knew the moment you arrived as the carriage merely appeared out of nowhere."

"But that was a good distance from Craignamore. Surely you couldn't have seen it that far away."

Catriona's face shifted. Her delicate features morphed from human to lioness, then back.

"You're a shifter."

"We both are, daughter of Isla MacHendrie. Though the slayer gene is more dominant in you."

"You knew my mother?"

Cat nodded. "She died attempting to change my fate. Trying to save Craignamore for your sake and that of your sisters."

So Zerek's last trip back must have been made with her mother. Now she knew why didn't care to speak of it, the trip cost her mother her life. "Why didn't you say you knew who I was, earlier?"

"A shifter has been stalking Craignamore. I sensed him when you emerged from the carriage. And I didn't care to alert him of your presence. I thought if he believed you to be a slayer, which Magnus's sister most definitely is, he'd flee. You have enough slayer blood in you to mask all other essences flowing within your soul."

"Oh, sweet Catriona. That was only Zerek you sensed. My soulmate. He cloaked himself to protect me.

"No, you don't understand…" Catriona coughed. Her eyelids fluttered.

"No. No. No." She cried. "Please Catriona, please don't die. You must hold on."

Rylie rocked back and forth, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Zerek burst into the room. His gaze immediately reached hers. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, but Catriona has been shot." She sniffled and caught her breath. "A musket came through the window, piercing her in the stomach area."

Without hesitation, Zerek bent and slid his arms under Cat's limp body. "I'll carry her into the entrance hall." Blood trickled over his fingers and dripped to the floor, splattering the carpet.

"You've been shot."

"I survive."

"You were shot in the past and kept that from me?"

He didn't answer.

"Zerek?" She stood and followed him through the castle. "Your breathing is erratic."

Still, he said nothing.

"Catriona knew my mother. Did you come back to the past with my mum?"

"I did."

"What happened?"

"Now's not the time, Rylie."

"But I need to know."

Zerek blew out a deep breath. "It didn't work as your mother had planned it." He took a quick turn around a corner. "And while I cannae tell you everything, ever, just know whatever I did then and immediately following our return was for everyone's good. Now please don't ask me to discuss the matter again."

They reached the end of the main corridor.

Zerek placed Catriona on the top step of the stone stairs leading down into Craignamore's entrance hall.

"She sensed you," Rylie said. "She thought you were stalking the castle."

"That wasn't me."

"Then who was it?"

"I'm not sure." Zerek yanked off his jacket and rolled it into a makeshift pillow and placed it under Catriona's head. He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "Magnus is on the way, Cat."

"He won't make it," Catriona whispered. "He never does."

"Not this time he won't. He'll be here." He cradled her pale face and smiled.

The caring way Zerek dealt with Catriona warmed Rylie's heart. Who knew fierce dragons could be gentle?

Catriona coughed blood.

"Easy, Cat." He tugged his neckerchief off and wiped her lips. "Magnus is near."

As if on cue, Magnus St. George bounded into Craignamore. He skidded slightly, his boot heels sliding on the tile. At Catriona's side, he crashed to his knees, tears flowing from his eyes. "My loving Cat."

Catriona gazed up. "Protect them, Magnus."

"I will, love, For all my life." He leaned in. "I love you, Catriona."

"You are my heart, Magnus."

Bending closer, Magnus kissed Cat's lips, breathing in her last breath. He then flung his head back, opened his mouth and roared.

Only once before had Rylie heard the ear-shattering pierce of a slayer's wail. But Magnus's cry was far louder than her father's had been. So much so, that cupping her ears did not good.

Zerek gripped Magnus's right shoulder.

Ignoring him, the slayer leaned back, his gaze falling past him to Rylie. "You…"

Zerek immediately rose and pushed Rylie back.

She swallowed, a look of fear crossing her features. "Yes?"

"Treasure Craignamore."

"I will…I do."

Magnus turned back to Zerek and tossed a small velvet pouch his way.

He reached out and grabbed the bag midair. The sigils.

"Consider that payment for your deed here today."

Zerek arched an eyebrow. "How…"

"The Legatus is dead."

"Dabraxas didn't go missing until a month after Culloden. You changed history by killing him today."

"No. The Legatus was not my kill. A dragon took him out."

Zerek furrowed his brow.

Magnus gripped Zerek's arm. "Heed my word, Draco." He glanced at Rylie, then back to Zerek. "Now go."

Zerek didn't need to question the man's strong tone. He grabbed Rylie's arm. "Hurry" He rushed down the steps and across the hall.

"I can only go so fast in this damn gown, Zee."

They didn't have a choice.

Running out of the castle, Rylie stumbled.

Zerek bent and lifted her over his shoulder. "Time is calling. We have to move fast." He dashed across the lawn.

"Zerek…"

"Fucking hell, Rye. For once don't argue with me.

"I'm not. There's a massive reddish-brown dragon behind us."