Donag turns back, eyes glittering in the candlelight.
“Your name,” she says, voice flat. Emotionless. “What is it?”
My throat works around a swallow. I can’t seem to process. Can’t seem to move. My brain keeps circling back to the sound of that bolt sliding into place.
I was lost. I got cold. I passed out.
I feel like I should be able to change one of those things and fix this. Undo it.
But I can’t. I’m trapped. And Callum seems just as stuck as I am.
This woman wants something from me.
I swallow hard. “You can’t keep me here.”
Donag steps forward. “I said I want your name.”
My mouth is too dry to form words.
Before I can even try, Callum steps in front of me. “Her name is Rose.” His voice is low. Steady. Protective.
I exhale.Okay. So I’m not alone in this.
“I’ll nae let you hurt her.” Callum’s voice is quiet but firm.
Donag tilts her head. She barks a sharp laugh. “Rose!” she crows, like the name itself is a joke. She says it again, slower this time, rolling it over her tongue like something sour. Then her voice drops, low and eerie. “A curious name to give a bloom wished dead on the vine.”
Dead.The word hits with a lightning crack of clarity.
This isn’t just about Janet.
This woman is dangerous.
I force out my calmest, steadiest voice. “I’ll go back to the hotel and get Janet. It sounds like you two have a lot to discuss.”
Callum latches on immediately. “You wanted Janet to come home,” he says to Donag, voice careful, coaxing. “You wanted the Campbell laird to forget his grief.”
His gaze flicks to mine, just for a second. And somehow, I know exactly what he’s telling me.
Hold on. I’m going to get you out of this.
My throat tightens. I nod. Barely.
Callum turns back to her. “How could Rose possibly help with this?”
Donag doesn’t answer. She just stares at me, something shifting in her expression.
“I’ll nae ignore fate,” she murmurs.
She flicks her gaze over me, assessing. Deciding.
“She’s not as bonnie as her mother.”
The insult lands harder than I’d like. I bristle, muttering before I can stop myself, “Roses have thorns.”
A startled laugh bursts from Callum. Abrupt. Like it escaped before he could stop it.
Donag whirls, eyes flashing.
