“Ye must go with yer sister. Both of ye with yer keystones.”
“That’s why he’s coming, isn’t it? He wants us and the stones.”
“It seems the only explanation for his arrival under the cover of darkness.”
“But Evie is pregnant.”
“Aye. All the more reason to send her away. To protect both her and the bairn.” He paused then, reaching up to trace the edge of her jaw with the pad of his thumb. “And ye. I cannae allow anything to happen to ye, either. Understand?”
It was such an affectionate touch, it nearly made her unravel at the seams.
“And here.” He bent to reach for his sporran. Reaching inside, he brought out the piece of her keystone, then pressed it into her scarred hand. “Take this. Keep it with ye. Keep it safe.”
“I will, but, Malcolm—”
Before she finished her sentence, a low rumble rocked the walls of the castle. The sound lingered far too long for it to be anything but what they feared. She stared at him as it sounded again.
“What was that?”
Malcom’s face turned grim. “He’s here.”
***
Malcolm dressed, gave her a passionate kiss, and then left as Evie arrived. There was fear shining in her eyes as she urged her to hurry. Chloe knew Callum must have sent her.
“We have to go now,” Evie said.
Thankfully, Chloe had managed to pull on her shift before her sister arrived.
But as she reached for her overdress, dizziness swept through her, making her head throb. She paused to put a hand up to rub her temple and steady herself. She chalked it up to remnants of her visions and too many hours in bed. But then, she had enjoyed every hour she was under the sheets with Malcolm.
“Chloe!”
“Stop shouting,” she grumbled.
She pulled the dress on over her head, then stuck the piece of her keystone in her pocket. Evie buzzed around the room gathering the rest of her clothes.
“Shoes. Cloak. Now.”
The urgency in her sister’s voice made her head snap up and focus on her. Her face was lined with worry as she stood by the bed trying to hand her the cloak.
Evie pressed on. “The castle is about to be under siege. We’re going to the Sinclair stronghold, but we have to gonow.”
Chloe stuck her feet in her shoes and snatched the cloak from Evie, who was already wearing hers. She hurried toward the door.
“Malcolm said there was a secret gate. Is that how we get out?”
“Yes.”
She pulled open the door and peered into the hallway. When it was clear, she ran out, her feet silent on the stone flooring. Chloe followed, pulling the cloak tight around her thin frame. Down the stone steps, Evie crossed the great hall and headed for the kitchen.
With her body sore and craving rest, Chloe had no choice but to follow.
“Dougal and Jamie are waiting at the edge of the loch with horses,” Evie said over her shoulder as they entered the kitchen.
It was deserted and utterly devoid of activity. It was an eerie sight.
“Where are the other women?”
