Page 55 of Highland Storm

“I’m Hawke. Hawke MacKeefe,” he said, swallowing the lump in his throat. How could he walk away from Phoebe’s siblings after what they’d just told him? He rushed back to the cell and unlocked it.

“Ye’re really goin’ to help us?” asked Agan anxiously.

“I canna leave ye here under these conditions. Ye’ll come with us.”

“There are more of ye?”

“Aye, I am here with three of my friends.”

“Hawke, I think someone’s comin’, and the sun is startin’ to rise,” said Ethan from the door. “I also had to hit the guard on the head again to keep him unconscious. Did ye find Ian?”

“Nay,” said Hawke. “But we have three others who will be leavin’ with us.” He let out a deep breath, knowing that he wasn’t going to be able to rescue his grandfather now. Instead, he had to see to the safety of the innocent women and the boy who just happened to be Phoebe’s siblings. “Keep quiet and stay close,” Hawke told them, leading the way, hoping he wouldn’t regret this decision later on.

Hawke, Logan, and Ethan made it through the postern gate and to the horses just as the sun started to rise. Streams of bright light illuminated the castle, giving nowhere for them to hide.

“What’s this and where’s Ian?” asked Caleb as they exited the gate.

“That’s what I said,” grumbled Logan. “I’m no’ here to save anyone but our laird.”

“But these are Phoebe’s siblings,” said Hawke. “They were in the dungeon and I’ve yet to find Ian.” He lifted the boy up onto Caleb’s horse. “Caleb, take the boy. Logan and Ethan, take the girls.”

“I hope ye’re no’ thinkin’ about goin’ back in there now,” said Logan, helping Elspeth mount his horse and climbing up behind her.

“I canna leave without my grandfaither.”

“He might be in the tower room with our faither,” said Agan, letting Ethan help her to get atop his horse.

“What’s the fastest way to get there unseen?” asked Hawke, looking back at the castle.

“It’s impossible without bein’ seen,” said the girl.

“Give it up, Hawke,” warned Caleb. “I see the guards lookin’ over the battlements at us. Let’s go.”

“Intruders!” yelled one of the guards from atop the battlements. And before Hawke knew what was happening, they were being bombarded by arrows. Caleb’s horse got spooked and reared up. Hawke saw the boy falling, and ran forward to keep him from hitting the ground. Caleb struggled with his horse to get it under control.

“I’ve got the boy, let’s get the hell out of here,” said Hawke, holding the boy while he mounted his horse quickly and led the way out of there. Thankfully, Hawke, his friends, and Phoebe’s siblings weren’t hit by an arrow. But as they rode away, Hawke looked back over his shoulder, wishing he could have saved his grandfather.

“I’ll be back, Grandda,” whispered Hawke. “I promise, I’ll be back.”

* * *

Phoebe flipped through the pages of Orrick’s book, frantic to find something to help her know how to heal the sorcerer’s chest wound. She swore the knife went through his heart. But if so, how could he have stood up and walked away with her? And why wasn’t he bleeding profusely?

Her mind felt muddled and her legs shook.

“Calm down, Phoebe,” said Orrick walking up behind her in the tavern chamber, resting his hand on her shoulder. When they came back to the room they found the stableboy standing guard. He felt foolish to be watching over an empty room. Orrick then dismissed him. Hawke was sure to be furious about what happened while he was gone.

“I ken there has to be somethin’ to heal the heart,” said Phoebe, scanning the pages quickly, not wanting Orrick to die. Too many people had already died needlessly and she felt it was her fault Orrick was injured. She should never have trusted Lennox. That was her downfall.

“Of course there is, but I don’t need it.” Orrick reached out and closed the book. Her eyes shot up to his.

“Aye, ye do. Ye were stabbed in the chest and –” Her gaze fell to the front of his tunic. “It’s no longer bleedin’,” she said, jumping up and inspecting the tunic, torn from the knife. “I dinna even see a wound,” she said, gently touching him with her fingertips.

“I told you, I’m fine. Now stop worrying.”

“But I saw ye get stabbed in the heart. Ye – ye should be dead!” She reached out and touched his chest again, checking for a wound.

“I’m a little different than most people,” he told her, gently pushing her hand away.