Page 77 of Dark Embrace

Allie bit her lip. “Brie, the gods gave the Brotherhood three books long ago, when they first sent the great goddess, Faola, to mankind to create the Masters. The Cathach is the Book of Wisdom. The Book of Healing, the Cladich, vanished centuries ago, but the Brotherhood has recovered five pages. We’re still looking for the rest of the manuscript. But the Duisean is the most important book of all.”

Brie’s unease escalated. She had told Allie that Moray apparently had a part of the Book. “I would sure like to know which extra powers he has.”

“Some of the brethren believe that certain demons are immortal,” Allie said grimly.

“Great,” Brie said, feeling sick. “If we survive Moray, we can fight him for eternity. Or, at least, Aidan can.”

Allie reached out and took her hand. Brie felt her healing warmth seeping into her. She was surprised. “You can heal emotions now?”

“Not to brag or anything, but I am pretty darned powerful.” Allie grinned.

Suddenly the tent flap lifted and Royce stepped inside to join them. He was even more grim than his wife. Clearly he had been eavesdropping, because he said, “Every power known to the gods and mankind exists in the Book. Moray could have many different powers, even ones we have not heard of.”

Brie felt dread creeping over her. Allie squeezed her hand, and she calmed. “There’s one more thing. Moray may have hidden whatever he has of the Duisean in my time.”

Royce started. So did Allie.

“This will be right up Nick’s alley,” Brie said. “I need to get word to him so he can put his agents on this.”

“You’re still at CDA, working for Forrester?” Allie asked. She slid to her feet, walking over to Royce. She wore sexy boots with high heels along with her jeans. When Brie had first realized Allie was running around the medieval Highlands like a designer sexpot, she had smiled. In some ways, Allie hadn’t changed at all. Brie hadn’t asked how she’d gotten brand-new-designer boots in 1502, because it was obvious she still liked shopping in the twenty-first century. But that raised a huge question.

“Yes, I am. Allie, why haven’t you come to visit us since you left?”

Allie started. “Honey, I don’t go back to the future.”

Brie blinked. “But the boots? Your clothes.”

Allie smiled. “Royce showers me with gifts on my birthday.” She sobered. “It’s dangerous going into the future, and when we do, it’s only to save Innocence. In your time, Royce and I are living at Carrick. We have eleven grandchildren. I was there once, and I’m not sure of the physics of such an encounter, but why take any chances? We fought hard for our love, and one day, I’ll be living at Carrick with every modern comfort. I can wait. I will not wreck what we have. And besides, we are awfully busy in medieval Alba.”

Brie hadn’t had a clue. She glanced at Royce, and for the first time since she’d met him, he was smiling softly, his gray gaze on his wife. Their love was so powerful it washed through her, warm and wonderful, soothing and strong. They were going to love one another like that for an eternity, Brie thought.

“How can we get word to Nick?” Brie asked, suddenly teary-eyed.

“I’ll take care of it,” Royce said. “This is a matter fer the Brotherhood, Lady Brie. I’ve summoned a council. I am worried. I dinna think any single man or Master can triumph over Moray now.”

Allie plucked his leine. “He has new powers of possession, but I’ll tell you about that later,” she said softly.

Brie was relieved that Royce had summoned so much white power. Surely a single demon could not defeat the Brotherhood. “Where is Aidan, anyway?” she asked Royce.

His gray gaze held hers. “He has gone hunting.”

Brie cried out, standing. “He’s gone after Moray so soon? Did he shift? What does he think he can do? Moray almost killed me. He almost killed him. Why couldn’t he wait for us to come up with a plan?”

“Royce?” Allie touched his muscular arm. “Did you summon Guy and Tabby?”

Brie turned to her, amazed. “What did you say?”

“Aye,” Royce said. He faced Brie. “I dinna like to summon Macleod. He rushes into every war. One day he will lose his head, an’ my wife will blame me.”

“My brother may be a Master,” Allie said, “and a married man, but he is a Highlander first and last—and he thinks himself invincible, which he may or may not be.”

“You just asked Royce if he summoned Tabby!” Brie cried. “Surely you didn’t mean our Tabby?”

Allie grinned. “Yes, I meant our Tabby, more commonly known as Lady Tabitha.”

Tabby was in the past, too. Brie could barely assimilate it. “But I left her at home, teaching first graders by day and using spells to save Innocence by night!”

“Brie, Tabby has become really powerful over the centuries.”