Page 74 of Highland Storm

Euan chuckled. “Ye think two of ye is enough to fight me and my clan?”

“Make that three,” called out Caleb from up on the battlements.

“Four,” said Logan, riding over the drawbridge, being led by his wolf.

“Ye all have a death wish, dinna ye?” asked Euan.

Hawke’s friends looked over to him for the command to attack, but Hawke held his hand up in the air. “Euan, ye bluidy cur, tell me what ye’ve done to Osla.”

“Ye are such a fool, MacKeefe,” snapped Euan. “It’s been ten years and yet ye never discovered that Osla didna die.” He chuckled lowly at his cunning trick.

“I saw her at the bottom of the cliff with an arrow in her back and lots of bluid.” Hawke walked closer to Euan with his sword leading the way.

“Careful, Euan,” said Lennox, turning his back to Euan, looking around him with his sword held high. A few more of Euan’s loyal men did the same. “They’re surroundin’ us.”

“I’m no’ afraid of a few MacKeefes,” snapped Euan. “Hawke, it was so easy that it still amuses me to this day,” he bragged, relaying his story. “I stole one of yer arrows, pushed Osla down the hill, and then hit her over the head just to knock her out. Then I hid a dead bird under her clothes with the arrow piercin’ it, no’ her. I convinced the clan, and of course ye, that ye’d killed her. Afterward, I took her to the isle where no one ever goes so she’d be mine. I thought I’d have to force her to couple with me, but the knock over the head made her forget everythin’ and it was easier than I ever thought.”

“Then, ye’re no’ my husband, Euan?” asked Osla.

“Nay, ye’re just my bitch. I never married ye. I just wanted ye because ye were MacKeefe’s.”

“Ye bastard!” Hawke took a step forward, but a hand on his arm stopped him.

“Easy, Hawke,” said Ian. “Ye’ve got a temper like yer faither’s. Dinna let them goad ye into a fight.”

“Grandda, my da told me ye were the one always wantin’ to fight, no’ him.”

“Things have changed over the years, Hawke. Now all I want is peace between the clans.”

“I willna make peace with Euan or the like.”

“Nay, but think of their laird dyin’ up in the tower. Do it for him and for his family.”

Hawke didn’t want peace. He wanted to see Euan, Lennox and the rest of them dead for imprisoning old men, women and children. Still, he had to try. For Phoebe’s sake.

“What will it take, MacNab?” asked Hawke. “What do ye want for our clans to make an alliance?”

“I was goin’ to ask for a high ransom. But since the MacKeefes probably wouldna be able to pay, I decided I want somethin’ else instead. I want to be laird of the MacNabs and I want the MacKeefes to give me Hermitage Castle.”

“What? Never!” shouted Ian. “I’ll kill ye if ye even think of tryin’ to take that away.”

Now it was Hawke who had to hold back his grandfather from fighting.

“Euan, look who I found in the tower!” One of Euan’s men dragged Phoebe out into the courtyard. He held her hands behind her back.

“Phoebe,” cried Hawke. “Nay. Dinna touch her!” He rushed forward, but Euan reached out and grabbed Phoebe, holding her tightly to his body and putting the blade against her throat.

“Give me Hermitage Castle, or I’ll kill her,” said Euan. “Simple as that.”

“She’s one of yer own, ye fool,” laughed Ian. “Go ahead and kill her, what do we care?”

“Nay!” shouted Hawke, turning to look at his grandfather. “I love her, Grandda. I would die for her.”

“Blethers, Hawke! Haud yer wheesht,” spat Ian through gritted teeth. “Now that they ken that, we have no chance at all.”

“Leave me alone,” shouted Phoebe, stomping on Euan’s foot and elbowing him in the gut, pushing away. Hawke rushed forward, but was blocked by three men.

“Get them,” shouted Hawke, giving his friends the command to step in. Ian fought at his side and a melee broke out.