Page 47 of Highlander’s Evil Side

The woman pursed her lips, looking skyward for a moment before meeting his gaze. “She took one guard; however, the others left.”

“Why?” Gavin asked, his tone laced with anger, yet he gazed at the woman kindly.

The woman shook her head. “They did not say, my laird.”

“Where did they go, miss?” Fraser asked, looking around and noticing Kenneth crouching low and peeking inside one tent. Why did Beitris leave? He wondered. If she was here now, he would yell at her for being so foolish. This could be a trap. His double could be lurking anywhere nearby.

“Apologies, my laird,” said the woman. “I do not know. I was caring for my father at the time she came, but I know they mustn’t have gone far.”

Fraser turned on his heel, running back towards the castle. He needed his horse. He would search the woods, the falls, all the lands until he found her. There would be no rock left unturned. He needed to find Beitris before something terrible happened to her.

“Fraser, wait!” Gavin shouted, his footsteps sounding from behind.

Fraser was done waiting. He wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing when Beitris could be taken or injured.

“My horse!” he shouted as soon as he was through the gates. “Give me my horse!”

“My laird!” he heard Scott shout, finding him leaving the barracks. “What has happened? Has he attacked?”

“Nae, ‘tis Beitris,” Fraser said while striding towards the stable master, snatching his reins from the man’s hands. “I can’t find her.”

“Perhaps—”

“Perhaps naething, Scott!” Fraser roared. “I can’t find her! Put a search party together. We must find her at once!”

Fraser didn’t look to see if Scott followed his orders. He swiftly mounted his horse, turning it toward the portcullis.

“Wait!” Scott called from behind. “Do not be foolish, Fraser. Wait for me to join ye. Ye can’t be riding out on yer own.”

Fraser scowled. His hands gripped the reins. He knew Scott was right. The double could be waiting in the wood, beyond the castle’s walls. He could be waiting for the right opportunity to attack. But every minute that passed was sentencing Beitris to the unknown. Fraser could imagine Beitris within the evil brigand’s grasp, struggling, demanding him to release her. Knowing she could be in pain made his insides ache and his whole body tremble with fear.

He needed to get to Beitris fast, for who knew what could happen to her.