“I was just about to take a bath. Perhaps we can talk about this later, when I’m done. My water’s cooling.” Maggie was torn, she wanted him to stay, but she knew it was wrong for him to do so, especially when his true feelings were not clear. She walked to the door and waited for him to walk through. “We have a lot to discuss. I willnae keep ye waiting long.” She closed the door in his face.
***
Dylan slumped to the floor outside Maggie’s room. He sat with his back against the door, confusing thoughts swirling through his brain.So there are two Maggies. One who is Maggie and Alec and one who is Maggie and an evil witch.How could he be sure that this Maggie was the real one? Wasn’t it possible that he was being fooled once again? No. He had felt somethingvery different with this Maggie. The real Maggie. That spark was definitely still there. No denying it. He hadn’t felt anything at all when he kissed the other Maggie. In fact, it had been as if he was kissing someone very unappealing. Then he remembered the image that had flashed before his eyes last night. The image of a haggard old woman. He nearly gagged at the memory of kissing her. He’d be forced to wait for Maggie to explain everything to him, and he decided he wasn’t going anywhere until she did.
A short while later, Dylan heard footsteps coming up the stairs and as he waited, Angus stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of him.
“What are ye waiting here for, lad?” Angus asked. He was carrying a plate of food that Dylan assumed must be for Maggie.
“I know,” was all that Dylan said.
“I’m sorry, what do ye ken?”
“I know that Maggie is Alec. I walked in on her as she was getting ready for her bath and saw her with my own two eyes.” Dylan realized a moment too late that he probably shouldn’t have told Angus that he’d just walked in on his naked niece.
The look on Angus’ face was a mixture of anger and amusement. “I see,” was all he said in response.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was her. I came to speak with Alec and I didn’t want to disturb him if he was sleeping—”
Angus held up a hand to stop him from speaking. “So why are ye sitting out here?”
“She showed me out of the room and said we’d talk later. I’m waiting right here, until that happens.”
“Alright, then.” Angus knocked on the door and Maggie opened it, clothed once again as Alec. Dylan was disappointed, but now that he knew, he could see the girl who had sparked his interest and been on his mind since he left her back in Glendaloch. “Join us, Dylan. We’ve much to share.”
Dylan rose and entered the room, not taking his eyes off Maggie for a second. She sat on the edge of the bed and took a bite of the food Angus had brought for her. “Thank ye, Uncle,” she said politely. Her eyes swept from Angus to Dylan and back again.
“I understand that Dylan walked in on ye earlier,” Angus said. “I’m here to protect ye from all threats.” He made a point of catching Dylan’s eye. Dylan lowered his gaze appropriately.
“Nothing happened,” Maggie explained hastily. “I sent him out as quickly as I could. Ye ken we were both shocked to see each other.”
Dylan nodded his head in agreement, feeling as if he was twelve years old again, being reprimanded for kissing one of the girls behind the school auditorium. “I’m sorry, sir. If I’d known it was Maggie in here, I wouldn’t have just walked in.”Of course he would, who was he trying to kid?
“See that ye behave as a gentleman with my niece,” Angus ordered in a very stern voice.
“I will. Always,” Dylan stammered.
“We have much to discuss,” Maggie said and then told Dylan everything, from the vision Edna had experienced, right up to this very moment.
“Is there a plan?” Dylan asked. He had listened intently to everything both Angus and Maggie had to say and not once did he hear what the ultimate goal was, or how they were going to achieve it.
“No,” Maggie appeared ashamed. “We havenae been told what the plan is or even why this is happening.”
“Then how are you supposed to stop her? We need a plan,” Dylan stated firmly.
“We?” Maggie asked. “Aunt Edna never said that ye were supposed to be involved.”
“Aye. She’s right,” Angus added.
“I’m already involved. I’ve been spending a lot of time with Brielle and I don’t like the fact that she was trying to use me for whatever her purpose is. I’m helping and you can’t stop me.” Dylan put his foot down and was quietly pleased when he got no argument from anyone.
“Okay,” Maggie agreed. “Ye can help.”
“I think the first thing you should do, is let the others know who you really are,” Dylan announced.
“I dinnae believe that would be wise,” Maggie said. Angus however, seemed to be giving the suggestion some serious thought.
“He could be right,” Angus said. “If ye tell everyone who ye really are, that could force Brielle’s hand. She cannae continue to do damage here, if everyone is on to her.”
