“Nay!” She tried to grab his arm, wanted to beg forgiveness. Her sisters meant the world to her, theywereher world, and he knew it.
“Get away from me, harlot.” He pushed her. “Slinking about in the middle of the night, visiting a graveyard. Probably casting spells. Cavorting with the devil.”
“Nay!” she cried.
He gloated at her tears, satisfied he had landed a fatal blow to her spirit. “In the morning, ye shall get aboard a ship bound for Durness. Let the MacKays deal with ye—after all, those Highland heathens owe me for their success in the north.”
The MacKays? Where had this punishment come from? It seemed as though he had pulled it from the air, but Kali knew him incapable of quick wit. This must have been his plan all along. Separate her from her sisters in order to have time to intimidate Ariana and Keara into doing whatever he wanted.
He left her alone, weeping in the courtyard.
Ariana and Keara. Dear Lord.She was their shield. Their protector. How could they survive Bane’s fury without her? She dropped to her knees, her legs too weak to hold her up any longer.
Someone slipped out the door and came to her, lifting her from behind. “Come, milady,” Anne’s soothing voice sounded. “If ye are to go on an adventure, I will help ye pack.”
The faithful maid walked her inside and up the stairs to her chamber. Through the blur of her tears, she looked about her room, wondering what she could do to change her sire’s mind.
“Nay,” Anne said quietly. “If ye help me now, I believe he’ll kill ye.”
Kali caressed the maid’s cheek in gratitude. “Promise to watch over the girls.”
Anne nodded. “Ye have my word, mistress.”
’Twas the only hope she had to cling to. “Thank ye, Anne.” Kali swore by everything holy, she’d find a way to rescue her sisters, no matter what she had to do.
Chapter One
As soon as Kali’s feet hit solid ground after weeks at sea, she wanted to kneel and thank the Almighty for delivering her safely to Durness. With the storms and turbulent waves that had caused the ship to roll endlessly during the voyage, she’d been unable to eat much.
She breathed in the salty, moist air, so different from her home in Aberdeen where the stench of city-dwelling overwhelmed the pleasant smells of nature. As she gazed across the open fields and hilly landscape beyond the village, she smiled at the sight of sheep and cattle roaming freely in the tall grass.
Even the wind seemed different here, scented with heather and other fragrances borne from the carpet of pink and purple wildflowers that covered the land. Durness was not a principal village, but the thatched-roof cottages were clean and welcoming, windows facing the water. The market bustled with merchants and craftsmen, each competing for the attention of passersby.
Her only trunk had been safely set aside on the dock, meant to be claimed by whatever MacKay kinsman had been sent to collect her. Until that time, she intended to explore the village, for she had been deprived of freedom all her life.
She reached under her wool cloak and checked for the leather bag of coins Anne had sewn there. When her fingers met the soft material, she breathed a sigh of relief. ’Twas money Kali’s mam had given her to save so that, one day, she might have something for herself.Dreams are more than a lass’s fanciful thoughts, her mother had often said.It takes silver to make them come true.
Until this moment, Kali had never realized her dreams—other than keeping her sisters together and safe. She sniffled at the thought of them alone in that house with their sire. But there was nothing she could do from here.
Curious at the wares she might find in the market, she sauntered toward the first booth, where fresh meat pies and small loaves of bread were on display. Her mouth watered, weeks of food deprivation finally catching up with her. Aye, she could eat a horse if offered one, but she’d settle on the golden-crusted delicacy before her.
“What is this one?” she asked softly to the man smiling at her.
“Mutton and turnips,” he said. “Would ye like one?”
Two or three, actually.“Aye.” She gave him a copper coin and welcomed the warmth of the pastry in her hands. As she began walking again, she bit into the soft goodness, flavor exploding on her tongue. When she finished eating, she was thirsty and sought a cup of cider or watered-down ale. Found at another stall, she chose cider and drank it down.
She noticed bolts of colorful fabric, a smithy shop, and just about anything one might want to buy. There was even a place where men were looking over sheep and horses, which intrigued her. Whether because of the wee beasties or how the men chattered together, she didn’t know.
Though the place was noisy, peace surrounded her, and she took a deep, satisfying breath.
“Kali Elizabeth Bane?” a low voice asked.
She cringed, expecting a heavy hand to yank her around, for that’s what her father would have done had he found her wandering about. When nothing happened, she risked a glance over her shoulder and found a somber-looking man, devastatingly handsome, who seemed taller than a house. His green eyes searched her face for something she couldn’t guess.
“I am Kali Bane,” she confessed, and the man nodded.
“I am Adam MacKay. Here to fetch ye.”
