Page 51 of Reviving Her Highland Spirit

No.

He made his decision quickly, moving forward before anyone could realize what was going on. Rufus was almost at the door now. He was nearly out. Nearly free of the trap they’d been cornered in.

Callum gripped the hilt of the sword between sweaty, shaking fingers, and lifted it as high as he could. He brought the simple, undecorated pommel down on the back of Rufus’ head.

Crack. The sound echoed around the small croft, and Rufus crumbled as if his legs had been kicked out from underneath him.

Maggie wriggled forward out of his grip, diving into Ian’s arms. He spun around, eyes glazed and disoriented from the blow, but still alight with rage. What was more, Rufus still held the dagger in his hand, razor-sharp and now pointed towards Callum.

“Ye ungrateful, conniving traitor!” he hissed. “How could ye do this tae me? How could ye betray yourself? Have ye forgotten where ye came from?”

“Ye are a madman, Rufus,” Callum said, his voice cracking in his throat. “I looked up tae ye as a father, and ye only ever saw me as something you could use, didn’t ye? A tool to be shaped and sharpened for the future.”

Rufus sneered. “Some tool ye turned out tae be. Ye are about as much use as a headless hammer. Ye father would be sickened tae see ye now.”

Callum shook his head. “Ye didn’t know him. He loved me, and ye never did. I can’t let ye hurt Maggie, Rufus. I can’t let ye go up against the McAlisters. ‘Tis not right, and I cannot let it go on. Just give yourself up now, please.”

Glancing past Rufus to Ian, Callum nodded to Rufus. “Take him, please. Take us both.”

There was no time for Ian to act, however. Rufus gave an incoherent scream of rage, leaping forward, dagger flashing through the air. But Callum was taller and stronger, and grabbed Rufus’ wrist, forcing his blow aside easily. Rufus struggled, spitting various curses in English and Gaelic into Callum’s face.

How could I ever have thought this man was a good, noble, sane man? Callum suddenly thought. How could I have looked up tae him as a father? What did he do tae me, to make me think that his cause was just? He’s insane.

Pulling back his face out of reach of Rufus’ clawing hands, Callum brought down his fist sharply, just once. It connected with Rufus’ face, and the light went out in his eyes. He slumped down onto the filthy stone floor, unconscious.

Callum sagged forward after him, all of his strength suddenly gone.

It was over.

22

Maggie rushed forward, arms outstretched to hold Callum. She found herself unceremoniously yanked back and pulled out of the way.

She turned around to find Ian hanging grimly onto her arm.

“No,” he said, quiet but firm. “Stay away from him, Lady Maggie.”

“Rufus is unconscious.”

“I’m not talking about Rufus.”

Two soldiers, grim-faced, pushed past Maggie into the cramped space and pounced on Callum. He didn’t resist as they bound his wrists behind his back and forced him into a standing position. Biting her lip, Maggie tried to pull her arm away.

“Let me go, Ian. He’s not a threat to us.”

“Isn’t he?” Ian shook his head. “The last I checked, he was threatening us all with a sword, and siding with a man who wants the entire McAlister family dead, which includes you, by the way.”

Maggie shook her head. “He’s not what ye think. Didn’t ye see? He saved me. Rufus would have killed me. Callum stood up for us.”

Ian glanced over the scene inside the croft.

“Tie them both up and get them tae the horses,” he ordered bluntly, and dragged Maggie outside. She came along, reluctantly, and waited, arms folded, to hear what Ian had to say.

He took his time, dragging his hand through graying hair and scrubbing at his face with his hand.

Maggie had known Ian since she was a child. When she was small, she’d thought that he was one of her uncles, since he was always with Uncle James and Bryce. Now, she knew that they were as close as brothers, but weren’t related by blood. No, they were related by something stronger. Fellowship.

“Callum’s sins can’t be written off by one good act,” Ian said finally. “He did the right thing, and that’s good. But I cannot just forgive him and let him go. Only Laird McAlister can do that, ye know that.”