Page 70 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

She did. She considered for a moment. "After I show you where the castle is, will you allow me to leave?"

"Nay. Not alone. And not until Talnaroch's whole operation is brought down."

How could she infiltrate his operation if Brodie kept her caged here?

"You want to leave because you're vexed with me," he said.

"Aye, that too," she admitted.

"Regardless, you cannot go galloping across the moor so soon after that head injury. Besides, a witch is trying to kill you, not to mention the bastard earl."

"The earl will not try to kill me. He has no inkling I was on the galley."

"He might, if whoever kicked you down saw your face and still lives."

Well, that was a risk she would have to take.

"Clearly the head injury has ruined your reasoning ability." Brodie studied her. "What are you nay telling me?"

"Naught."

"The more you lie, the less I trust you."

What could she say to that? Nothing. She shrugged. "I have nay need of your trust. I but wish to help the other female selkies gain their freedom."

"And how the hell would you help them?" he asked as if she was capable of nothing.

"After I show you where the castle is on the coast, you will check to see if the females are there. If they are not, I will find out from Talnaroch where they are."

"Do you think he's going to tell you?" The words exploded from Brodie's mouth. "He would just as soon kill you as reveal his secrets."

"Talnaroch wishes to marry me, nay kill me."

Brodie shook his head, danger emanating from his dark eyes. "Damnation, but the head injury has rattled your brain loose. You said he knows you followed him to the castle. When he went back there after the raid, where does he think you went? Did one of his men see your face on the birlinn? Do you think the bastard will trust you again?"

Bollocks! She hadn't thought of that. "I'll tell him some knave kidnapped me." She gave Brodie a pointed look.

He scoffed. "Oh, now saving you from drowning has turned into kidnapping, huh?"

She shrugged. Turning her back on him, she strode toward the keep, escape plans spinning through her mind. She would show him the castle, aye, and then she would leave.

She trotted up the steps into the great hall, then climbed the spiral stone stair. Footsteps pounded behind her, and she turned.

Brodie's dark look was even more menacing in the dimness of the stairwell.

"Leave me be." She continued upward toward the chamber he'd allowed her. Should she thank him for that?

In the corridor, he continued to follow her.

"My wishes mean naught to you, do they?" she asked.

"Your safety matters to me."

"Why? You hate me."

"Stop with the daft questions," he growled.

"You keep calling me daft. Do you think 'tis a compliment?"