Page 20 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

Nothing.

Not even the sound of the wind blowing its usual venom around the estate responded. Creaking as she got out of bed, Aileen immediately swayed and fell.

Grasping onto the table for life, she stabilized but realized that her heart was banging hard. Her dream might not have been real, but her body must have thought so. Listening to her own heart beat, Aileen felt as if she had run a race. Her breath coming in waves, it took time to steady herself enough to stand upright.

And then she was in for a shock. Her legs gave way beneath her.

With no warning, Aileen was on the floor, shaking. Groaning, she pulled herself up onto the bed in shock. Her elevated heart rate had left her woozy. Lightheaded, she sat on the bed and tried to bring herself around.

It was not easy. In the panic and the howling winds, Aileen found it hard to keep her cool. Her ribs buzzed with pain, and outside the door, footsteps continued.

Because they were footsteps. In horror, Aileen listened as the regular creaking drew close.

Grasping the unlit candlestick by the bed, Aileen sat ready. Perhaps she could not run, but she could deliver a stinging surprise to the intruder.

Then, Aileen's heart almost collapsed entirely; the door fell open, letting a narrow gap of shadowy light into the bedchamber.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

She could not see, but Aileen could hear as the footsteps grew ever nearer. Taking no chances, she repositioned herself on the bed and prayed. Whoever it was, was coming straight for her. There had been no attempt to knock or to ask if she was alright. Fearing the worst, Aileen brought the candlestick up high.

She stopped breathing as the footsteps came nearer. There he was in front of her, this dark shape, her nightmare made flesh. Without giving the brute a chance to attack, Aileen got there first.

Smash!

She brought the candlestick down crashing on top of him. Then, before he had a chance to act, she pulled her sgian-dubh from the side of the bed down toward his throat.

She could not see properly but sensed from his breathing where the head was.

"No ye dinnae!" she hissed dangerously. He was beneath her, his breaths heavy and strange.

"Urgh," the intruder moaned. He tried to say something, but Aileen was in no mood to let him. As soon as he tried to, she pushed his head back down, ramming it against the wooden bedstead.

"No ye dinnae, sonny," said Aileen through gritted teeth. Her body may be failing, but her resolve was as firm as iron.

She sounded scary, but inside, her heart was rocketing. She was frightened for her life. This castle, with all its strange comings and goings, perplexed her.

More than anything, she wanted to leave, yet it seemed she never would. As she sat there, shivering in the blackened bedchamber, Aileen felt a fear in the pit of her stomach.

"Aileen!" the voice shot through the darkness, leaving Aileen petrified.

Instinctively, she swayed away from the man.

"Aileen! Stop this! It's me—it's Scott!"

Pushing himself up, Scott moved groggily, feeling with his hands up to the bed. In front of him, Aileen sat, shaking with fear.

"Dinnae come one step closer, or I do it again!" she hissed. Swiftly, she brought the candlestick closer, showing him he meant business.

Her words were clear, but the contents of her head were mush. Inside, questions whizzed around: Who is this man? What does he really want? What is he doing here?

"Aileen?" Scott sounded exasperated.

Aileen hesitated. Maybe he was genuine, but she was not about to let her guard down yet.

"What in the devil's name are ye doing, man!" she hissed wildly.

Scott recovered himself a little. She could not see but felt him reposition himself on the bed. Now he was nearer, close enough to feel his warm breath on her face.