Page 78 of Dark Embrace

Brie started. “Okay, what does that mean? How long has she been here?”

“She’s been here since the thirteenth century,” Allie said. “We can use her magic against Moray. I am sure of it.”

Brie decided not to dwell on the fact that in 2008, Tabby was living in New York without a clue of her fate, but in 1502, she’d been in medieval Scotland for close to three hundred years. “Is she happy? Is she with your brother?”

“She is very happy, and madly in love with another medieval catch. They have kids, lots and lots of them—you know Tabby. They’re not all theirs, either.”

Brie sat down on the edge of the bed. “Tabby deserves true love. I am so happy for her.” But worry began. “I guess Sam is alone in the future?”

Allie sobered and sat down beside her. “Does this mean you’re not going back?”

Their gazes locked. “Of course I’m going back. I’m here to save Aidan, period.”

Allie looked at Royce. “Brie is going to redeem him.”

“Aye, I suspected as much when I spoke to Aidan earlier,” he said.

Brie saw them exchange a look and knew they were exchanging thoughts as well. At least she didn’t have to worry about Sam being alone, she thought, feeling oddly dismayed. Malcolm and Claire were so deeply in love, and so were Allie and Royce. To yearn for that kind of connection was crazy, but too late, she knew she was secretly harboring just such a fantasy.

Brie sighed. But before she could even finish her thoughts, a savagely murderous rage began.

It hurled Brie backward onto the bed and knocked the wind right out of her.

Aidan was in trouble.

“Brie!” Allie cried, rushing to her.

The Wolf wanted to maim, destroy and murder. “It’s Aidan,” Brie gasped, the fury consuming her. She had never felt such rage, not ever. Then the pain sliced through her shoulder and she screamed.

A terrific life-and-death struggle began. She needed to sink her teeth into the enemy’s throat and rip his artery apart. Then Brie was hurled backward, and before she got up, a sliver of fear went through her.

The flesh of her chest was ripped open. Enraged, she meant to leap again, but a terrible pain went through her chest and she screamed.

Had he been stabbed in the heart?

There were more terrible blows, but the savagery did not diminish. Suddenly she felt her teeth sink into human flesh, and she tasted blood—and it was good. A savage, utterly primal, merciless satisfaction overcame her and she barely felt the ax cutting through her leg. She would kill him now.

She suddenly envisioned Ian.

And there was only blinding pain, her prey having vanished.

Brie came back to herself, swirling in the thick web of pain, becoming vaguely aware of Allie holding her. Aidan was hurt…he was going to die.

“No,” she gasped. She fought the pain. She had to swim out of it, no matter how thick the layers, how suffocating, how imprisoning. She became aware of a warmth seeping into her, through her.

Allie was trying to heal her.

“Brie, it’s all right! Nothing’s happening. It’s your empathy, but it’s so strong, it’s hard for me to get through it.”

Nothing was happening? Aidan was in terrible pain, badly wounded. Brie lay breathless in Allie’s arms, her heart thundering, struggling to see Allie clearly. Her image wavered, but the warmth intensified. And finally, the pain began to recede.

Allie remained in focus now, holding Brie and stroking her brow.

Brie waited another moment, then slowly sat up. “We have to find him!”

Royce knelt before her. “What happened?”

“He was in a terrible battle. He’s been knifed and axed. I am almost certain it was with Moray.” She felt tears fall. Her heart surged with panic. Allie stroked her shoulder, but Brie was barely calmed. “He is going to die if we don’t find him and heal him.”