Page 52 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

Lightning struck in the distance, casting a white flash over the battle.

Boyd rolled over just in time as Callum’s sword pierced the mud beside his head and sank into the moor with a sickening squelch, the weight of his body driving it down. Boyd quickly sprung to his feet and used his right leg to kick Callum over from the side.

The man let out a cry of pain and clutched at his ribs where Boyd’s boot had connected with his body.

“It disnae have tae be this way Callum,” Boyd said breathlessly as he stared down at the man writhing in pain. “We can talk about that night in a civil manner without so much death surrounding us! I have questions too!”

Callum groaned in pain as he clutched at his side and attempted to reach for his sword. “I dinnae care what questions ye have!” he grunted through the pain. “Ye will pay! All ye can utter are lies!”

Moving as fast as he could, Boyd kicked the sword out of reach and stared down at Callum. “Did ye ken yer brother was bedding my mother?!” he yelled angrily and glared at the man as he struggled for breath. Boyd’s kick had clearly broken one or more of his ribs.

His face contorted with pain and confusion as he stared up at Boyd in shock, his piercing green eyes dark with pain.

Boyd wasn’t sure if it was the pain of the kick or the weight of his words that had shocked the man into submission. There wasn’t much time to think as he was suddenly knocked off balance when one of Callum’s men came running into his side at full speed. Boyd’s hands sank into the soft ground as a light rain fell from the sky, creating a thin mist over the battle. The earth was far too slippery for him to manage a solid grip on anything.

Four men came rushing forward and lifted Callum Steward onto a makeshift stretcher. Boyd was about to stand and stop them but he was suddenly knocked behind the head with a piercing blow that sent his face screaming into the mud. The agonizing blow almost knocking him out cold.

“Boyd!” Rory’s frantic voice called through the confusion.

Boyd pushed himself up just in time to catch a glimpse of an opposing soldier wielding their blade above his head with a triumphant grin on his dirty face. The man ran forward with a cry but stopped with his blade position above his head. His grey eyes searched the clouds in confusion as he stumbled.

Boyd looked on as the man jolted slight, spitting up blood as he fell forward in slow motion. His body thudding next to Boyd on the sodden moor. Boyd watched as the light left his eyes before he looked up again to see Rory standing where the soldier had been.

“That was a close one,” his friend panted. He was covered in splatters of blood from head to toe with a noticeable wound on his arm where the blood was trickling down. Rory’s face suddenly changed to a silent scream as Boyd felt cold steal plunge into his back.

The cold was suddenly replaced by warmth seeping over his skin.

Rory lunged forward and cut down an opposing highlander before falling to his feet beside Boyd. “Hang in there, Boyd. We’ll get ye tae the healers as soon as we can!” he pressed his hands against Boyd’s side with a frantic look in his eyes.

Everything went fuzzy as he blinked his eyes in and out of focus, struggling against the darkness pulling him in.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Ava wrapped her arms around her waist as she stared at the mug of ale on the table. She had nearly gone through with the plan and taken Boyd’s life. Lifting her hand, she looked at the beautifully ornate ring he had given her.

Not only was he willing to marry her, but he was serious about his love for her and showing his affections. The guilt ate at her conscience as she looked back to the poisoned mug of ale.

What are ye going tae do, Ava Rose? she asked herself as she chewed on her lower lip. Ye cannae kill the man ye love, even if it is tae save Neil…

Sounds of the battle in the distance drew her attention to the window. A storm was once again brewing on the horizon as the men bravely fought on the moor. She walked to the window and squinted at the figures to try and see if she could catch a glimpse of Boyd. But none of the figures were clearly distinguishable through the misty haze that was quickly descending on the earth. Her heart began to race when a sudden clicking sound came from the hall outside the study. Click, click, step. Click, click step, the sounds repeated as they drew nearer.

Did the men attacking the castle breach the walls? Thoughts of panic raced through her mind. Where is Boyd? Searching for an escape route or at least somewhere she could hide, she quickly made her way to the door and flatted her body against the wall in the hopes of slipping out if anyone were to enter the room.

Her hands were beginning to sweat as the clicking became louder. Was it a soldier carrying a sword? Or perhaps someone dragging a piece of metal. The handle of the door jostled slightly before turning all the way around and clicking open.

Taking a deep breath and standing as still as she could, Ava watched the door gently swing open.

“Miss Sinclair?” A male voice called. “Are ye in here?”

She couldn’t place the voice but watched as the man hobbled into the room on a cane. He was short and squat with a hunched back and peppery grey hair. Ava breathed a sigh of relief, she had seen the man around the castle before, he was part of the Cameron clan.

“Oh, there ye are, lass,” he smiled at her as she stepped out from behind the door. “I thought ye had left the study,” he turned with his cane to look at her.

“I didnae ken who ye were and thought it best tae hide until I was certain,” Ava explained.

The man looked impressed. “Very wise, lass, very wise.” The easy way he smiled at her made her relax. “I’m Hamish, I have nae had the pleasure of formerly meeting ye. I’m the head of Boyd’s council.”

“Pleased tae meet ye, Hamish.”