Highland Secrets by Ann Gimpel

Author:Ann Gimpel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ann Gimpel Books, LLC

Chapter 10

“I want to stop before we get to whatever destination you have in mind.” Angus caught Arianrhod’s gaze and held it. They’d been quiet since entering the time shaft, each presumably lost in their own thoughts.

“Why?”

“We never ran down a First Born, so we need information about Eletea to report back to the Celtic Council.”

She glanced at a node and quirked a brow. “How’s twelve hundred?”

“It’ll do as well as any other time. I need quiet, though, so let’s try to avoid the middle of the Crusades.”

“I’ll do my best.” Dry humor warmed her words, and the glow of the tunnel added bright highlights to her silver hair. “The worst of the fighting was over by then, so we should be safe enough.”

Rumbling undulations in the living shaft around them signaled a stop was imminent. The wall across from Angus split, and he stood before extending a hand to help Arianrhod to her feet. They walked into a damp evergreen forest with water sheeting from the sky. It dripped from all the greenery, and standing water pooled around their feet. A crisp snap told him the time shaft had disappeared.

“Still in the U.K., I see.” Angus chuckled.

“It could be the Pacific Northwest in the States,” she retorted.

Angus shook his head. “Doesn’t smell the same. Everything there is newer. Have you been here before?”

“Not this exact spot, but this time.” She rolled her eyes. “Hell, I lived through it. We might find a stone hut to shelter in while ye enter a trance. How long will ye need?” Water ran off a leather hood she’d pulled over her hair and dripped from her body. Her leather garments that had begun to dry from their stint in Rhukon’s time darkened again.

“Each trance is different, but not more than an hour.” He cast an appraising glance her way. “If we’re set upon, I won’t be able to help. At least not for a while. It takes a few minutes once I return before things are normal again.”

“Got it.” Magic shimmered around her as she sent it spinning in a broad arc. “Good news. I know where we are. An extensive cave system isna far from here. That might work better than a hut where the owner could return at any time.”

“More caves.” He blew out a breath. “I had enough of them on Fire Mountain to last a while.”

“We could set up camp beneath a tree.” She shook her head, and droplets hit him in the face.

“I’ll deal with my antipathy. A nice, dry cave would be perfect. Besides, I’ll need a fire.”

She set off, and he fell into step next to her. They made their way through tangled undergrowth that hid deep pools. After a quarter mile, his boots were soaked through.

“What else will you need?” she asked.

“Just fire—and my own blood.”

“Ye used blood to clear debris from beneath Rhukon’s manor house,” she observed.

“Aye, that I did.”

Interest flashed from her eyes, but she redirected her gaze to the ground after she stumbled over submerged roots.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.