Page 28 of Highlander’s Evil Side

“Beitris, get to land!” Fraser shouted over his shoulder. “Run to my men!”

Beitris watched him press his fingers to his lips, whistling loudly, her ears ringing at the ear-splitting sound. She waded towards the rocks, her feet meeting the pool’s floor. Her eyes still searched for the leader in the trees. She rose from the water, her dress sticking to her chilled skin, her body shivering with cold and fear. Her naked feet stumbled forward, and she winced at the rocks pinching her soles.

“Where are ye?” she whispered, her hands fisting, preparing herself for the inevitable. If the brigand leader so much as touched her, she would scream, she would bite, she would make it extremely difficult for him to ever claim her.

“Looking for me?”

Beitris spun around, her eyes widening on the dark-eyed leader, his gaze making her stall, unable to move as he towered over her. Her mouth gaped open. She tried to scream, she tried to do something, but fear kept her rooted as if she was staring at an apparition instead of a man made of flesh and blood. His hand reached for her, and Beitris whimpered, her eyes clamping closed. She felt something rough brush against her cheek, her neck.

“Aye, yer bonnie. I can see why he likes ye.”

Beitris shivered, keeping her eyes closed. She could feel his breath on her face, wreaking of ale, nauseating her senses. “Until we meet again,” he whispered in her ear.

Beitris’s eyes flew open, finding no one in front of her. Nothing, but the trees rustling in the wind. She heard shouts and turned, finding Scott, Kenneth, and Gavin rushing forward with swords drawn. Striking their swords, the brigands blocked, the sound ringing and grounding Beitris.

She scrambled forward, picking up another rock as the MacClery men fought the brigands. Scott swung his sword while Kenneth blocked an attack. Gavin roared, lunging his large body forward. He dodged a swipe to his side and shoved his body into his opponent, slamming him to the ground.

“Retreat!” shouted the man while slapping Gavin’s shoulders in a vain attempt to remove him. He reached for his sword, but Gavin slammed his fist into his arm, earning a shriek in response.

“Hurry!” shouted another brigand, turning away from Scott and running towards the wood.

Scott followed him while Kenneth blocked his path. The assailant turned on his heel, nearly running into Scott. He gasped, his left eye twitching while his hands slowly raised in defeat.

“Who are ye?” Scott shouted, shoving his blade forward, nearly pricking the brigand’s throat.

Gavin grabbed his opponent from the ground, hoisting him onto his feet and shoving him forward towards his accomplice. Beitris saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Her grip on the rock tightened as she whirled around, finding two brigands running into the forest.

“Stop!” she shouted, throwing her rock and hitting one in the back. She heard a grunt in response, yet neither of the men stopped.

Beitris turned back towards the men cowering in the middle of Scott, Kenneth, Gavin, and Fraser, their swords pointing at them. She inched towards them, carefully looking around in case the leader returned.

“Who is yer leader?” asked Fraser. The men looked at each other before laughing maniacally. Fraser scowled. “Tell us, and perhaps we’ll let ye live.”

One man stepped forward; his head craned towards Fraser, and his eyes widening wildly. "And why should I tell ye, ye little—”

Beitris gasped, watching as a man, the leader, emerged, his sword drawn and aimed at Fraser’s back. “Look out!” she shouted.

Terror seized her heart, and she watched as the leader slammed the hilt of his sword against Fraser’s head. Fraser groaned, stumbling backward, the sword falling with a clang to the ground. The sound echoed within her, her mouth gaping open as she watched the leader kick Fraser backward. Fraser shook his head, his eyes widening before barely dodging the swing of the leader’s sword. Kenneth moved, lunging forward and attacking the leader from the side. He jumped back, easily dodging the strike while Scott ran forward, stepping in front of Fraser.

The two brigands ran at Gavin, slamming their bodies into him and making him fall backward. One kicked him in the ribs before running into the wood, disappearing easily into the darkness. Only the leader was left, but he was too strong. Beitris grabbed another rock, but she didn’t know where to throw it. She didn’t want to hit Kenneth and Scott.

The young lass glanced at Fraser, watching him touch his head lightly, gazing at the blood on his fingertips. Something must have taken hold of him, for he lunged for his sword, seizing it quickly. He ran at the leader, swiping his blade. The leader blocked, cackling as he pressed his sword against Fraser’s.

“Ye think ye can take me?” the leader asked gruffly, his dark eyes glimmering with hate. “I’d like to see ye try, laird.” He whirled around, swiping his sword at Fraser.

Fraser jumped back, but before he could strike, Kenneth stepped forward to block him. The leader cackled, blocking his attack easily before kicking him in the stomach, sending him flying into the water.

“Kenneth!” Fraser shouted, watching with worry and alarm as Kenneth surfaced, coughing up water and gasping for breath.

“Stay out of my way, laird,” the leader spat. “If ye know what’s good for ye.”

Beitris watched him leave, shivering when he cast her another look before disappearing beyond the trees. Kenneth swam to land while Gavin groaned and pushed his body up from the ground.

Beitris’s body moved. She felt numb. The air chilled her skin. Her skirts squelched with each step she took, her feet stumbling on the rocks. She didn’t care about the pain or the cold. She needed to see Fraser, to touch him, to know that he would live. Her gaze landed on Fraser, sword still in hand. Blood dripped down the side of his face, but other than the head wound, he was fine.

“Yer alright,” she breathed, rushing forward and wrapping her arms tightly around Fraser’s waist.

His arms tentatively came around her, holding her gently. He brushed the hair away from her face, whispering softly, “Aye, I’m fine, my lady.”