Emma relaxed, biting her lip to hold back the laughter. She felt so much better now. Pain-in-the-ass Alex was also alive and well, simmering just below the surface of this newfound admirer of her sister. He’d had her worried there for a bit. She’d even started missing the irritating physician. “I’m not sure. He mentioned something about tying up some loose ends. As you’ve seen before, Torin is just a little unpredictable.”
“Aye.” Alex’s mouth flattened into a disapproving line. “Unpredictable would be a word I would use for such a man.” Patting Laynie’s hand, his expression softened. “Would ye allow me to give ye a tour of the clinic and then treat ye to a relaxing pot of tea at our favorite pub? Your sister is always fussing about her piles of paperwork. I’d be happy to give ye the grand tour. It would give her a chance to get caught up on the chaos of her desk.”
What the heck was Alex doing? Laynie just got here and Alex was trying to kidnap her. “When have I ever fussed—”
“Were ye not saying just yesterday that ye would never unearth your desk?” Alex cut her off as he curled Laynie closer.
“It’ll be all right, sis.” Laynie winked as she patted Alex’s arm. “I’ll get a better feel for your world if I hang out with one of the locals.”
“But you just got here.” Emma tried to ignore the fact that her own voice whined through the air like one of the children she tended every day. She didn’t want to share Laynie with anyone—especially not with Alex.
Laynie left Alex’s side long enough to peck a quick kiss against Emma’s cheek. “I’m going to be here a solid month, maybe even two. Get caught up on your paperwork, then go find Torin. I’ll catch up with you later.”
She couldn’t believe Laynie dismissed her so easily. Had her sister not missed her at all? Uneasiness shaded with a good measure of jealousy gnawed its way through her. She forced her words through clenched teeth, glaring at Laynie in an attempt to silently guilt her into dumping Alex, “I don’t know where to begin looking for Torin. There’s no telling where he’s gone.”
“He told me after he finished his errands, he might stop by the standing stones. You know how much he loves it up there. If he’s not there, it’s a sure bet he’ll eventually show up either here or at the cottage.” Laynie coughed, widening her eyes as if to say,You know how to find him. Stop grousing and leave me alone.
“Fine.” Emma hissed. If Laynie wanted to spend her time with Alex, she wouldn’t stand in her way. So much for keeping her sister to herself. What had happened to the old Laynie? The one who pouted about Emma’s long absences? The one who complained about being left alone? “I guess I’ll see the two of you later—afterI’ve cleared up a few loose ends.”
“Great!” Laynie bobbed her head and beamed up at Alex. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Chapter
Fifty-Two
“It is time, Torin.”
The woman of the moor’s words stoked the uneasiness already simmering in his gut. “So ye’ve decided it’s time to reign in the beast ye unleashed upon the world?” Torin rested his hand atop the haft of his sword. The worn grip melted into his palm like a well-worn glove.
“The world needed cleansing, Torin. We’ve discussed this before, and ye have no right to question my ways. Perhaps I did err in unleashing him but I owe ye no explanation.” The melodic voice riding atop the biting wind rang with a hint of disapproval. “Arach has done what his instincts lead him to do, and he has served his purpose well. Too well. It is time for you and your mate to join forces and serve your purpose too.”
“She is not ready. I need more time. Her sister just arrived and she’s not ready to make her choice.” Torin strained to force the revelation out into the open. Emma needed more time to realize she belonged at his side. With Laynie’s help, he felt sure he could convince her to join him beyond the veil. But if he forced her to choose now, he wasn’t so sure he would win.
“No.”
The wind howled louder through the stones, setting the dried grasses to rustling. Their brittle whispers swept all around as though chiding Torin for his reluctance. “In her heart, her decision is made. It is time to see if she has found the courage to follow it.”
“And if she hasn’t?”
“Then you will be alone.”
Chapter
Fifty-Three
“Itire of ye disturbing my sleep, witch. Nettling me with your incessant whining will only bring more pain and suffering to your mortal pets. Nagging will do nothing to make me leave.” Arach did not bother cracking open an eye slit. Why put forth the effort when the stench of the old woman so clearly announced her presence?
“Then meet the challenge and end this battle. If ye win, I will nettle ye no more.”
Arach rolled to his side and kicked at the lowest part of his belly with a stubby rear leg. Lore, he hated it when his scales itched in spots he couldn’t reach. With a jaw-cracking yawn, he groaned as he stretched and rubbed his itching belly across the rough flooring of the cave. “Why should I go to the trouble of seeking out your champions? If they are so determined to return me to hell, let them find me.” Deafening silence echoed through the darkness of the cave. The only sound interrupting the eerie stillness was the rhythmic plopping of water at the rear of the fissure as it dripped from ceiling to floor.
Arach finished scratching his underbelly against the razor sharp ledge then lifted his snout higher in the air and snorted ina great breath. “I know ye havena left, old woman. Your smell is still heavy in the air.”
“What will it take, ye wicked beast? What will it take to bring ye to the challenge at the portal?”
Arach chuckled as he slithered out onto the ledge. “’Twould take a great deal more than ye are willing to risk, old woman. Have ye not learned your lesson about striking deals with the devil?”
“Name it, beast. What will it take for the opportunity to rid ye from this world?”
