Finally, the trees thinned. The path opened. Graham stopped, sweat trickling down his spine. Near the edge of the cliff, two silhouettes were locked in battle—one impossibly large, pushing a smaller, cowering shape. Shoving backwards, ever backwards, towards the hairline edge between land and air, rock and water. Every mewling cry from Peckwood’s lips resulted in yet another growl and thrust in the chest from Colin.
Graham’s mind whirled. How to stop this? What to do? Any further agitation would only excite Colin all the more.
Amelia pulled from his grip and rushed onward. With a wild leap, he grabbed her arm and yanked her into the safety of the trees. “No,” he whisper-growled in her ear. “Whatever we do cannot be abrupt, such is the fragile state of your brother’s mind.”
She wrenched from his grasp and skewered him with a furious scowl. “Colin will kill Mr. Peckwood if we do nothing!”
“I said we must use caution, not that we do nothing.”
“Then what?” Desperation thickened her voice.
The same desperation pressed in on him. Plowing his fingers through his hair, he paced in the dark, thinking hard. Praying harder. If they rushed the troubled man, he’d not only send Peckwood to his death, but he might hurtle over the cliff himself. No, that wouldn’t work…not directly. But like a warship jockeying to let loose the cannons, they just might be able to pull alongside him.
“I’ll come around one side while you—” He turned back to Amelia.
But she was already dashing ahead, hefting her skirts in one hand, the other outstretched. “Colin! It’s time to go home, Brother.”
The big man stopped.
So did Graham’s heartbeat.
“Yes, Mr. Balfour.” Whimpering, Peckwood flicked his hand towards Amelia. “Your sister needs you at home. Go!”
Graham riffled through possibilities. If her brother turned on her, one swipe of his hand could crush her skull. Not an ideal situation, but perhaps a situation that might be used. With Colin clearly listening to his sister, Graham could flank him and take him down sideways, eliminating the threat to Amelia and to Peckwood—though that cur deserved to go off the cliff after all he’d done.
Graham crept ahead, giving Amelia a wide berth. Should Colin face her, hopefully he’d not notice his movement.
“Come, Colin,” she urged. “Come to me.”
Colin snapped his gaze over his shoulder.
Good timing. Graham was already past her and drawing closer to the man. Nearer. Ready to spring should Colin charge towards Amelia or Peckwood.
“That’s it. You see me now.” Amelia advanced with measured steps. “Take my hand, Brother.”
Colin roared.
Graham upped his pace.
“Please, Colin. Nemo needs you.Ineed you.” Despite how frightened she surely must be, Amelia’s step didn’t falter. Fearless girl. “Let us not ever be parted again, hmm? I love you, no matter how you look. No matter how you act. I loveyou, the man I know that’s trapped inside.”
“Me-lee-ah.” Colin’s voice scraped the air. His weight shifted. His big body pivoted towards her.
She’d done it! Against all odds, Amelia had broken through the insanity clouding the man’s brain. Quickly, Graham changed his tactics. Perhaps violence wouldn’t be needed after all, not since she’d—
A crack of wood on bone splintered the air. Colin’s knees buckled. The giant pitched forward, his palms grinding into gravel, his head hitting a rock.
Peckwood stood over him, clutching a huge branch, grinning like a skeleton.
Amelia screamed.
God, no!
Graham rocketed ahead, blasting Peckwood with barbed oaths. “Murderer! What have you done?” He dropped to his knees at the giant’s still form. “Colin! Come now, man.”
Blood oozed from Colin’s nose. He lay deathly still, but even so, a faint breath feathered against the back of Graham’s hand. He was alive. Thank God, he was alive!
“Let me go. Graham!”
