Page 113 of Edge of Yesterday

They reached the men and Cailean noticed the dagger hilt protruding from the sheath attached to Crowe’s belt. The dagger didn’t just look like the dagger Val Ross had used to cut him at the blooding stone, it was the same dagger. Cailean recalled Father Phillips’ description of a huge dagger with a hilt made in the fashion of a claymore worn by Valdar Ross the day the wedding party arrived in Heatheredge.

Cailean’s heart began a faster beat. Sorcerer. History called Valdar Ross a sorcerer. But no one took such things seriously. Maybe Valdar had mixed a few potions, had some sort of intuitive abilities, but sorcerers and magic didn’t exist. Just as men didn’t live to be six hundred years old. It simply—wasn’t possible. His mind echoed the last words, then a clear concise thought formed: But it was possible, for Valdar Ross, Crowe, and Val Ross were the same man.

Red coals of fury burned the insides of Cailean’s stomach, then a strange, icy calm settled over him. He saw himself lunging toward Crowe, seizing the dagger and plunging it into the bastard’s heart. Crowe wore no mail, so the sharp blade would puncture his breastbone with ease. Or was it that, in Cailean’s fantasy, he’d rammed the blade into him so hard that it only seemed to penetrate his body like butter? Cailean gave himself a shake and blinked away the image. He might have considered holding the blade to Crowe’s neck and threatening to kill him if he didn’t answer his questions. But he knew nothing would induce Crowe to answer. A man who had figured out how to live for over six hundred years would be made of impenetrable steel. A man who could send people bouncing around in time was more than clever. He was a mastermind.

In this case, a fiend.

He was also more dangerous than anyone or anything Cailean could imagine.

What had Julianna seen that night she rammed into Cailean? Crowe naked in the woods with other bare-arsed men and women—his coven—looking on as he performed a human sacrifice. Cailean had thought she was over-exaggerating. Crowe was an asshole, but he was simply enjoying a good orgy. Now, however, Cailean knew better. The man was a fucking psychopath and the equivalent of a serial killer. He may not have killed the people he sent through time, but he might as well have. It was the perfect crime. The papers had pointed out how not a single body had ever been produced to link Val Ross to any murders.

Of course not.

The bodies were buried—long ago turned to dirt—in another time.

So Cailean wouldn’t hold a blade to Crowe’s neck to get his answers. But once he discovered Crowe’s secret to longevity and why he was sending people back in time, he would slip a blade into the bastard’s heart as easily as cutting butter.

And that murder would be real—not a fantasy.

“Laird…” Father Andrew smiled at Ravenstone. “We have come to offer our congratulations.”

The baron didn’t return his smile. “Crowe tried to kill my son-in-law when last they met.”

Raucous laughter erupted at a nearby table behind them.

The big warrior monk looked at Crowe and nodded. “Much has changed since Crowe fought with Cailean.”

“Indeed.” Crowe looked between them. “As ye know, Ravenstone, I had hoped to marry Lady Julianna. I care a great deal for her, and when I saw them together, my instinct was to protect her. I had no idea they had married.” He looked at Cailean. “I ask your forgiveness.”

Cailean stared. “Why did ye burst into Julianna’s room at Reay Abbey?”

“I was there to seek Father Andrew’s counsel about Lady Julianna. I thought it a fortunate happenstance that she was there. I had no idea ye were with her.” He made it sound so simple, so logical. “I asked him to accompany me to her room so that I might speak with her. I would ne’er have sought her audience alone.” He glanced at his friend, who nodded. “She is a lady. I respect her honor and privacy.”

“We knocked twice with no answer.” Father Andrew stepped forward. The swish of his monk’s cloak revealed the long sword strapped at his hip and the two guards standing at the entrance came to attention. “I grew concerned when she didnae answer, lad.” The priest gave Cailean a comradely smile. The guards didn’t advance, but Cailean noted that their gazes remained fixed on Father Andrew. “I entered her room,” the priest went on. “Crowe only followed my lead.”

Cailean didn’t believe for an instant that Crowe just happened to visit Reay Abbey while they were there. Lennox and his father clearly weren’t buying the story either. When they’d spoken earlier, they all agreed someone had told him, and that someone could be a member of the baron’s household.

Crowe shook his head. “I had no idea she had married.”

“Now ye know,” Cailean said.

Crowe canted his head in elegant acknowledgement. The man was fucking good. “I understand Lady Julianna made her choice,” he said.

“Then join us.” Lord Ravenstone swept his arm out, indicating the crowded hall behind him.

Father Andrew grinned. “I told Crowe he could count on your generous nature, laird.”

The baron stood aside and the two men strode toward the tables. Lord Ravenstone pinned Cailean with a hard look and gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. Cailean acknowledged with a slight nod and the baron turned to follow Crowe and Rathais.

Lennox fell in alongside Cailean. “Ye are doing well,” he whispered.

“I will kill him.”

Lennox slid him a look. “Strange.” His lips quirked. “Only days ago ye nearly swooned because you killed for the first time.”

“I’m a quick study,” Cailean said. “And I didnae almost faint.”