Chapter 28

Uproar claimed the courtyard. Half a dozen Gilroys made to follow Mary, but Brian barred their way, roaring at them that theyd be risking his sons life if they put any more pressure on her. Anna had collapsed to the ground and was sobbing into her hands — Ivy hastened toward her, but saw that Elena and Nancy were already at her side, embracing her and speaking to her in soft voices. Ivy made a beeline for Edward instead, and the two of them joined hands and made a beeline for the gate, where Brian and the Laird were arguing fiercely about what was to be done.

Shes mad, Brian was saying, looking utterly stricken. Shes gone completely mad. How did I not see this coming? Shes going to kill him. Her own grandson.

I dont think shes mad, Ivy heard herself saying. You saw the look on her face, didnt you? She doesnt want to harm him either. If she wanted him dead, she had her opportunity — instead, she ran away.

What are you saying? Laird Donal asked, frowning at her. It was clear hed decided to wait until later to discuss the iron issue — something she was grateful for.

Im saying that theres a chance we could still reach her, Ivy said, spreading her hands helplessly. Something is making her behave this way — and I dont think its the Fae.

Brian shook his head. That dagger shes got has an iron blade. If she was a Fae, she wouldnt be able to touch it. But what can we do?

Ivy took a deep breath, her mind racing. She wasnt equipped to deal with hostage situations, which was basically what this was… but she did know a thing or two about dealing with frightened people in crisis. And for all her monstrous actions, including threatening the life of her own grandson, Ivy couldnt shake the feeling that what was motivating Mary Gilroy, deep down, was fear.

We have to find her, she said firmly. Us — not guards on horseback. Her family. She wont get far on foot — theres no need to chase her down on horses, is there?

She has my son?—

Shes one woman, on foot, with a dagger, Ivy said impatiently. Do you really think armed guards are going to help the situation?

Ivys right, Edward said, moving to her side. We cant overwhelm her with threats. But we have to find her — have to reason with her. He took a deep breath. And I think I know where shes gone.

Im coming with you, Brian said immediately, his eyes burning. If anyone can reach my mother, its me.

Im coming too.

Ivy turned, surprised to see Anna standing there, her face pale and tear-streaked, but full of a steely resolve she hadnt seen there before.

Im getting my son back from that woman if its the last thing I do. And Ivys coming with us, she added, surging forward to grab Ivy by the elbow in a surprisingly steely grip.

Ivy was shocked by the teary smile the woman gave her. Shed been expecting Anna to be furious with her for threatening to take her child… but she wasnt going to question a good thing right now.

And so the four of them made their way down the land bridge in pursuit of Colin and his grandmother. Ivys heart was pounding sickly in her chest, but she could feel Edwards reassuring calm radiating from him, and she took comfort from his presence. She couldnt think of a better person to have on her side during a crisis like this, that was for sure… and as he led them past the Keep and along the shore of the Loch, she realized his instincts had steered them true.

Oh, no, Anna whispered, her voice trembling as she lifted one hand to point. There, a few hundred yards from the Keep, there was a long wooden jetty that extended some way into the Loch, built on a small sandy beach where the waters of the lake were lapping at the shore. But it wasnt the jetty that Anna was pointing at — it was the figure standing at the end of it, facing out into the depths of the Loch with her back to them. Terror froze Anna solid for a horrible, interminable moment… until the figure shifted a little, and she saw that it was still holding a bundle of blankets. The high, frightened cry of a baby floated to them on the wind, and she felt Anna relax… but not much. Colin was still safe. But for how long, clutched as he was in the arms of a woman who had made it clear that she wanted him dead?

Brian and Anna seemed frozen to the spot… and where the hell was Edward going? Ivy blinked as the man strode off down the beach without a glance — but he wasnt headed for the jetty. Well, someone had to approach Mary Gilroy. Ivy took a deep breath… then started walking toward the distant figure, slowly and carefully climbing the steps to the jetty before she began her slow approach. She called Marys name a few times, loud enough to be heard, not wanting to startle the woman into doing anything rash… but Mary didnt turn around.

Mary — please, Ivy said softly, once she was about six feet away from the womans back. Please, come back to the Keep. We can talk about this.

Ill return it to the Fae this way, she heard Mary say, her voice dreamy. I was hoping the Monster might be around… either to escort it home or swallow it whole, it makes no difference.

She lifted the baby high in the air… and as horror froze Ivy to the spot, she couldnt help but notice that even now, Mary refused to look at the infant she was holding. Her hands were shaking, and when she turned her face away from the sight of Colin, Ivy could see that her face was streaked with tears.

Mary, you dont want to do this?—

No, Mary whispered. No, I dont want to. But a mother does what she must, for her children.

No! But Ivys scream was powerless to stop Mary as she turned, almost lazily, and threw the blanket-wrapped baby as hard as she could from the end of the jetty.

Several things happened almost at once. First, two bloodcurdling screams sounded behind her, and Ivy barely got out of the way as Brian Gilroy thundered down the jetty to seize his mother in a bearlike grip, both of them nearly toppling into the water. On the shore, Anna was screaming bloody murder — Ivy had never heard her voice that loud, let alone the profanities she was using with all the proficiency of a sailor. But all of that faded into the distant background, time slowing to a crawl in the wake of the splash of Colins tiny body hitting the water. There was still time, she thought wildly. They could still save him — they could pull him out of the water, he might still be alright — she was already moving, preparing to hurl herself into the water after the baby, desperately hoping shed find him in time —

More splashing. For a moment, she wondered if Brian and Mary had fallen into the water — but no, he was still wrestling his mother away from the end of the jetty, roaring his fury into her tear-streaked face. Ivys heart leapt into her mouth as she finally looked beyond them — to see none other than Edward in the water, kicking his legs furiously as he swam back toward the jetty. He was holding something rather awkwardly above his head as he swam, and Ivy felt her legs almost give way with relief when she recognized the blanket Colin was wrapped in… and more to the point, heard him screaming at the top of his tiny lungs.

Shed never been so grateful for a meltdown in her entire life. Heedless of the soggy, thrashing mess, she raced forward to grab the baby from Edwards arms, half-running back down the jetty with him, wanting to get him as far away from Mary Gilroy as possible. Still screaming, still thrashing… but alive, she thought with relief so acute it threatened to overwhelm her. He could scream all day and all night as far as she was concerned — because screaming meant he was breathing.

Oh thank God, thank God, Anna whimpered when Ivy reached her, and the two women clung to each other and to Colin for a long moment. Thank God hes alright, thank God?—

Thank Edward, Ivy whispered, feeling tears of relief rolling unchecked down her cheeks. Hes the one who thought to get in the water…

Anna unrolled the sodden blanket, checking Colin over for any signs of injury or harm. Ivy watched on, relieved to see no indication that Mary had made good on her threats with the dagger. Colin was shaken up, of course, and would need some time to recover after the ordeal of the day… but he was safe. Anna was using one layer of her skirts to wrap the baby up against the chilly air, and as Ivy watched she set about tearing up the petticoat beneath it to replace Colins wet clothes. It wasnt long before the baby was dry — still screaming up a storm, but wrapped in warm, dry cloth at least.

So strong was Ivys relief to see the baby safe that shed almost forgotten about Mary Gilroy altogether… that was, until she heard the footsteps of Brian and Edward marching the woman down the jetty. She looked around warily, feeling the defensiveness of Colin flaring to life in her… but Mary didnt look like a threat any longer. The dagger had been confiscated — she could see it tucked safely in Brians belt — and each man was holding one of Marys arms to prevent her escape.

Thank you, Edward, Anna whispered, her blue eyes filling with tears. Well never be able to repay the debt we owe you.

Is he safe? Edward was still breathing hard from his exertions in the lake, water dripping from his beard and hair, but he smiled with vivid relief when Anna nodded. Thank God.

I want an explanation for this, Mother, Brian said, and his voice was low and frightening to hear. And I want it now.