She did as he asked, and the lightning emanating from the lads’ swords changed to a golden glow, an aura that shrunk until it settled around the five young people. But it wasn’t quite what he’d seen before in a dream.
The energy bursting from the five young people in front of him held the promise of even more power.
“We have much to learn, but I’m certain you can see why this is worth pursuing.” Alex paced in a circle around the group, watching and feeling the raw power emitted by the group.
Dyna smiled. Elshander seemed less pleased, but he gave a short nod.
His three children stared at him, and he shrugged. “I dreamed of the forthcoming turmoil in Scotland. We were blessed with the three lads for a reason. But they need more guidance than mine alone. Dyna will be their center of reason, and a few others will be brought into the group to assist them. ’Tis what I was told, and what we will do.”
Alex said, “I give you the Highland Swords. We have a duty to save the Scots from the English wherever we can.”
The Scot’s Spy
Book 2
I loved the section in this story of the spy, something I took from the history books. But our female spy is Joya, and this is where we first meet young John.
Chapter One
Els runs into Joya one day while he’s patrolling. Confused, he takes her to the keep and,
as always, Grandfather knows best…
Els glanced back, pleased to see her mare was following them. He hadn’t worried, knowing Thunder would be able to find her if she strayed, but he didn’t wish to leave Joya’s side.
She sighed and clung to him, something he quite liked.
Els and his cousins Alasdair, Alick, and Dyna had gone on a mission to Berwick three years ago to help free Emmalin, now Alasdair’s wife, and Joya had helped them. The gorgeous spy had made a mark on him, and he’d attempted to find her before leaving the city. She’d disappeared.
How odd that she should show up here alone.
He headed toward the gates, not surprised to see Alick and Dyna riding toward him. They’d given him a moment alone, but they’d pursued him as dusk approached. Once they were close enough to be heard, Alick said, “What the hell? Where’d you find a lass?”
“’Tis Joya from Berwick. I found her out riding.”
Dyna took one look at her, then turned her horse around. “She needs a healer. We must get her back to the keep.”
Els snorted. “She’s not doing that poorly. She was quite alert when I pulled her off her horse.” And had kissed him like he’d never been kissed before.
Alick rode ahead and ordered the gates to be opened. He led the way to the stables, but Dyna shook her head. “Straight to the keep,” she shouted. “Els, we’ll see to Thunder while you take her inside.”
They followed her unquestioningly—Dyna had a sometimes infuriating habit of being right—and when they arrived, Els handed her down to Dyna. Joya was alert, but only just so, and when he took her from Dyna, she had trouble staying on her feet. He scooped her into his arms and carried her inside.
Dyna hurried to open the door to the great hall, and Els carried Joya over to the fire, sitting down and settling her on his lap. “Joya,” he said softly, knowing she likely couldn’t hear him, “what happened to you? Why were you traveling alone?”
She sat up straight, as if she’d been sleeping and he’d thrown a bucketful of cold water on her, and slugged him in the cheek with her fist. “Leave me be, you churlish bastard.”
She pulled back to hit him again, but Els grabbed her wrists. “Stop hitting me. It’s Els. I just told you. You’re safe here on Grant land.”
A look of guilt appeared in her eyes. Guilt and terrible sadness. He’d always known Joya to be confident and cheerful. What had happened to her?
A booming voice carried to him from the nearest trestle table. “Els. Don’t say another word.”
Joya jerked her head up at the sound of his grandfather’s voice. Alexander Grant used his cane to stand and made his way over to the hearth, his pace slow but his gray eyes as keen as ever. Aunt Kyla walked beside him, as if ready to rush forward should he need her.
As Grandsire approached the hearth, he tilted his head to address Joya, his tone gentler than Els had ever heard it. “Lass, whoever hurt you is gone.”
“They didn’t hurt me. I’m stronger than they are,” she said, lifting her chin toward him.
