Killian readied himself. A flinch, a twitch, that was all he was looking for to break the tension. It was the man standing beside Leah to trigger Killian's immediate response.
The first attacker didn't stand a chance as Killian met him head-on with only his hands as weapons. The man, brandishing a knife, lunged. Killian ducked under the wild swing and landed a hard blow. The man winced with pain as Killian landed a brutal strike that disarmed the man. The blade clattered uselessly to the ground and rang in Killian's ears as he struck a decisive kill shot. The attacker crumpled, lifeless, to the earth at Killian's feet.
"Erik," the second hissed as if he could speak him back to life.
"Yer friend is dead," Killian said, his voice thick with warning. "And if ye daenae want to join him, I suggest —"
The fury in the man's eyes burned hotter than the sun. He lunged, and Killian was ready. With a mighty roar, the man came at Killian. His blind rage was no match for Killian's controlled ferocity. Their blades clashed and sparked on contact. Killian fighting for Leah, the others fighting for survival. It was a bitter rivalry that Killian couldn't afford to lose.
The sounds of their struggle echoed through the abandoned part of the village. Luckily for Killian, everyone was preoccupied with the fair to pay any heed to what was going on near the edge of the village.
"Ye're nae walkin' away from this," Killian warned. "Nay one takes what is mine. And the lass is mine."
"Me laird, please, we were put up to this," the third started blabbering, much to his cohorts' displeasure.
"Keep yer trap shut, Marcus, he doesnae need to ken anythin'," the man said as Killian took a swipe only to have the man duck before his fist made contact.
"But Vance, he's killed Eddie," Marcus said as Killian noticed the distraction in Vance's eyes. It was just the opportunity Killian needed. Killian's world narrowed as each move he made, he did with absolute calculation. With a final powerful twist, Killian broke free and struck with a force that sent Vance falling back like a rag doll.
"Daenae kill me," Marcus cowered as Killian started for him.
"Get up," Killian ordered and pulled Marcus to his feet. The man whimpered like a coward before him. Just the mere sight of him grated on Killian's nerves. "Why did ye attack?"
"It was his idea," Marcus answered, pointing a trembling finger to the man passed out next to Leah.
"Killian, look out," Leah shouted, her warning coming in the nick of time. Killian turned his attention back to Marcus and grabbed the small dagger from Marcus's hand before he could lodge itin Killian's neck. Pulling Marcus's hand back, Killian forced the blade into Marcus's left arm.
"Yer last mistake," Killian hissed as he pulled his arm back and let it fly. Marcus's head slammed against the stone wall, knocking him out cold. Killian released his grip on Marcus and watched as his body slumped to the dirt. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Killian was aware of the eyes on him. Slowly, he turned.
Leah's eyes were wide with fear, and the sight knocked the wind out of him. Killian approached Leah with the caution of a man treading on fragile ice, knowing each step had to be deliberate and gentle. Her wide eyes were fixed on him. He wasn't sure if he was happy to see them as vacant as they were. It was the fact that they were so unreadable, as if her spirit had momentarily fled in the wake of chaos he had created. He knelt beside her, his heart heavy with what she had witnessed.
"Leah," he murmured, reaching out to her as if she were a skittish deer poised to bolt. Carefully, he lifted her from the ground, cradling her against his chest. Her silence was profound, her body tense and unyielding. "I ken ye must be scared of me, but we cannae stay here. I need to get Marcus to the dungeons and ye back to the inn. Can ye stand for me?"
Leah gave a small nod, her head bobbing in agreement, but her eyes never left his face. It was their intensity that unnerved him the most. She reached her trembling hands up to him. As slow and gentle as he could, he pulled her to her feet. It took every ounce of his strength not to pull her to him, to cradle her and tellher everything would be all right. But the fear radiating off her was enough to make him drop to his knees. Never in a million years did he want her to see that side of him.
"Are ye all right?" Leah asked, her eyes large as the moon.
"Ye're the one they took, and ye're askin' me if I'm all right?" Killian asked, confusion rippling through him like a rock disturbing a pond.
"Are ye?" she asked as she scanned him over.
"Aye," he answered as he stopped her frantic search for non-existent injuries. "Let's get ye back to the inn."
"What about them?" Leah asked as she started for Marcus. Killian grabbed her by the wrist and gave her a warning glare.
"I'll be sure they're taken care of. Right now, me concern is with ye. They willnae be goin' anywhere any time soon. I'll be able to come back for them before anyone wakes them."
"Aye," Leah mumbled as Killian reached for her just before she collapsed. Her limp body was so fragile, but her response was understandable. After all, he was a monster, and now, she finally understood it.
Killian hoisted her into his arms and cradled her to his chest. Slowly, he moved through the shadows and side streets, making a beeline for the inn.
Inside the small room, the air was warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the icy tension between them. Killian set Leah down gently on the bed and turned to the table where there was still half a bottle of whiskey and a loaf of bread. Quickly, he grabbed the bottle and took a swig before offering it to her.
"Ye need to drink somethin'," he said, nudging the bottle into her hand. He stood at the edge of the bed, watching her with eyes like a hawk. He was unable to shake the unease her stare provoked. A question formed on the tip of his tongue, but he wasn't sure he'd be able to scrape it off. Leah's blinked as she turned to face him. He swallowed hard as her eyes bore into him.
"I ken what ye’re thinkin'. I've seen that look a millions times before," Killian said, his voice rough with concern. She met his gaze steadily as a flicker of resolve sparked in her eyes.
"I'm nae scared of ye, Killian. I ken that is what ye’re thinkin'. That I should be dartin' for the door to get away from ye. But to me…" Leah paused as the words lodged in her throat. "It's nae ye I'm scared of, it's of what ye’re capable of."
