Loki (20 page)

Voice #2: “Unless this erupts into a full battle, in which case you’d be expected to take out as many as you can, though I only want you firing on my instruction. The plan is that when he walks forward alone with the bag of coin in his hand, you’ll kill them both. I’ll grab the coin and immediately send guards outside the gate. We need to be conscious of the fact that Ramsay has an expert marksman who’s a woman. Make sure you know where she’s located.”

Voice #3: “I’ve heard of her skills. I’ll keep an eye out for her.”

Voice #1: “So what do we do now?”

Voice #2: “We wait.”

Bella’s hand shook because she knew all too well that she and Loki were the lass and the lad they meant to kill…and there was no way of getting a message to her beloved.

Chapter Twenty-One

Loki would just as soon vomit as think about all that could go wrong on their mission. This is the first time he’d had these feelings roiling through his gut, and he knew why. This time his wife was in danger.

Kenzie tipped his head back to stare up at Loki. “I promise I’ll do a good job.”

“Do you recall everything you need to do?”

“Aye. I need to lead people to the secret passage leading into the Cliffnock castle. Then I’m to find Bella’s room to tell her not to worry.”

“Aye, and what else, lad?”

“I’m to lead her out if I get the chance, but if not, I can hide, then find my way back to Logan. He’ll tell me what to do next.”

“Good job. You’re sure you recall the way to the secret entrance?”

“Aye, I memorized it in case I ever needed to use it.”

Loki and Kenzie rode toward the front of the group, alongside Brodie, Alex, and the Cameron. The laddie peeked around Loki’s waist a few times, hoping to see all the warriors behind them, but it was an impossible task given the rocky terrain.

Seeming to intuit what the laddie was thinking, Brodie said, “Kenzie, we’re going down a hill ahead. You’ll be able to see the warriors soon.”

“I will?” The top of his head banged into Loki’s as he shot straight up to speak to Brodie.

“In a few minutes, you’ll get to see how many are behind us.” Brodie smiled at him, clearly remembering when Loki was no bigger than the wee lad who now rode before him.

When they were nearing the bottom of the hill, Loki allowed Kenzie to grab onto him, turn around, and peer over his shoulder at the massive number of warriors following them. “Saints above, I’ve never seen so many men on horseback. Look, Loki, can you not see them yourself? They go on forever.”

Loki glanced over his shoulder for a second, just so he could try to see them as Kenzie did. He remembered what it felt like to be under ten summers and spying the Grant warriors for the very first time. It was the kind of view that made a man wish to be a warrior. “Aye, the Grant warriors are an impressive sight, are they not? ‘Tis one of the reasons the Norseman ran away with their tails between their legs.”

“Are there any savages? Do you think they’ll have to fight the earl? Will I get to watch?”

Loki thought about all the danger they were about to face. “I hope not. Death is not pretty, and I want my clan and my Bella to survive this day.”

“We’ll get those fly-bitten whoresons.” Kenzie lifted his hand and scrunched it into a tight fist, his face burning with the same fury Loki had felt as a young boy after seeing a Norseman in action.

Loki thought about life on the road and how different it was from life at the Grant keep. “I do not mind it here, but you’ll not speak such language around my wife or my mother. But you’ll learn.”

Kenzie’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Loki. You’ll still take me, will you not? You will not dump me back in Ayr?”

“Aye, you’ll still go with us.”

Brodie had to shout to be heard above the din caused by the group behind them. “Do not feel embarrassed, Kenzie. Loki used to call everyone he did not like a “surly pig-nut,” and it took a while before he learned to mind his tongue around his mother. You will.”

Kenzie giggled, his eyes casting a quick glance at Loki to verify that it was true. A moment later, as if possessed by an unseen force, his entire countenance changed in reaction to the sight in front of them. “There it is. We’re there.”

The line of warriors trailed down the hill and lined up under Alexander Grant’s instructions, forming a sea of Highlanders in front of Blackett’s curtain wall.

“You’ll need to keep silent now, lad, and when I drop you off my horse and tell you to run, you’ll head to the secret entrance without question. Understood? You know who is to go with you.”

“Aye, my lord.”

Once his men, the Ramsays, and the Camerons were all in place, Alex moved his horse forward. Brodie, Loki, and two other guards rode in tandem with him. They made their way to the gate and waited for the guards to appear. One of the men stuck his head out without opening the gate and Alex said, “I need to see the earl.”

“Aye, the Earl of Cliffnock is on his way. Shall I give him a message when he arrives?”

“Nay.” Alex paused, then continued. “I’ll talk to him myself.”

“Hope you brought the coin.”

The guard headed back into the tower room.

A few moments later, the gate raised and Edward Blackett came toward them on horseback, Hamish on one side, Hector on the other. There was also a third man Loki didn’t recognize. Hamish and Hector flashed evil grins at Loki.

“How nice of you to bring your full contingency, Grant, but it will not be necessary.”

Laird Alex Grant, the mightiest warrior in all the Highlands, replied, “This is far from my full contingency, about a quarter, but I did not think I needed more than this. Add a few Cameron and Ramsay warriors, and we still have a nice group. Do you wish to be a fool enough to take us on? Shall I send for more men just so you can realize what you are up against?”

Blackett chuckled. “That will not be necessary. You can use all the show you wish, but I have Bella, and if you use even one of your warriors against me, I’ll slit her throat. The man with her has his instructions. Any battle and she’s a dead woman. You do not even know where she is.”

“State your demands.”

It was amazing to Loki that there was not even a rustle of clothing from the enormous force behind them while the Grant spoke. He never tired of watching the laird in action. His men knew what was expected of them. Logan had drawn his horse up next to Loki, and Gwyneth could just barely be seen within the trees—seated and ready to move when instructed. Kenzie was quiet in the saddle in front of him, though Loki could feel the pounding of his wee heart. The lad’s mouth was slack as he stared and listened to all that was taking place around him, his usually constantly moving body frozen in awe.

The earl shouted for all to hear. “You know what I want. There was no need to bring this force against me. But since you ask, I’ll be quite specific. I want Loki to approach me alone carrying the bag of coin, and I want your soldiers to back away from him. When I see Loki headed this way, alone, I’ll have my guards bring Bella forward. Once all of this takes place, I’ll consider making the switch.”

Alex nodded, but not before he glanced at Brodie, then Logan, then Aedan, and finally at Loki—his expression telling each of them that they would move ahead with the plan they’d agreed upon in advance. This dumb maneuver reeked of inexperience and greed. It was exactly what Alex, a brilliant strategist, had predicted the earl would do, and they had planned accordingly.

“Good,” Blackett replied, tugging on the reins of his horse to turn back toward his keep. “I’ll be waiting for young Loki and the coin. When he makes his approach, I shall return. But not before.”

Alex Grant moved his right hand, curling his fingers around the reins of his horse in the signal they had agreed upon. As soon as he did, Brodie and Alex’s horses reared back, startling the earl’s guards. Loki turned his horse just enough to hide Kenzie, then dropped him to the ground while twenty guards moved into position behind Alex and Brodie, a synchronized dance to draw the eyes away from the important movement on the opposite side of the field. Loki moved his horse in front of Kenzie, giving him the chance to dodge into the trees unseen with the other two, while Gwyneth climbed into the trees. They moved their horses deeper into the forest so they could circle around to the secret entrance of the keep. All of Blackett’s men still eyed Alex Grant, whose sword arm had swung out in a wide arc, the sun glinting off the fine blade.

Alex’s horse landed on his front hooves with a snort and Alex chuckled, winking at Blackett’s men as he moved away. Then he galloped in the opposite direction, a power play that left some men quaking in their boots. Alex Grant was not to be toyed with, he had the finest sword arm in the land of the Scots. When Alex retreated again, Loki followed him. Then he climbed off his horse and grabbed the bag of coin from a warrior in the middle of the group.

The battle had begun. Unfortunately for Blackett, he would have no idea what had taken place until it was too late. Thus far, everything had gone as expected.

***

Bella couldn’t see outside, but her hackles had risen a long time ago, so she knew something was afoot. She couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation she had overheard the day before. The earl intended to kill both her and her husband, no matter what the Grants did.

She followed the same circle she’d already worn in the floor as she reviewed all the possible scenarios, but the light sound of scratching near the door stopped her in her tracks. She jumped to the chair in case it was another mouse—or worse yet, a rat—but the door flew open and a young lad hurried into the room. It was the very same lad who had caught her when she’d fallen off her horse in Ayr.

“You, again? Why are you here?” Grabbing the material around his neck, she pulled him close enough so he could hear her whispers. “Who are you?”

Kenzie’s hands went to his hips and his back went as straight as a sapling. “Kenzie, how could you not remember me? Loki sent me. He…”

Too anxious for his news to wait, Bella practically tugged him off his feet. “Loki? Tell me, tell me before I lose my mind!”

He squeezed her hands until she let go of him. “He said to tell you not to worry. They will get you out.” He grinned, a grin that told her he knew how wonderful those words would make her feel. “I cannot tell you what is to happen, but they are coming for you and you need to trust him.”

Boots pounding on the staircase down the passageway greeted them.

“I have to leave now. He will save you.” He wriggled his nose with a look of surety that slowed her beating heart, then left.

Loki, please come and get me, and do not let him kill you.

***

Loki rode his horse toward the portcullis, the sweat on his palms seeping into the cloth bag holding the coins. Mayhap the fabric would weaken enough to lose coins. The thought of the earl watching his ill-gotten wealth fall into the grass almost made him smile.

Of course, it would never reach that point. He had faith in Alex Grant, in his adopted sire, and all of his clan.

Aye, his clan—the clan he belonged with no matter what travesty could possibly befall him. And even if his laird wished to send him off somewhere, he’d do whatever was asked of him without question.

Why?

Because he trusted them. His laird, his adopted parents, and his clanmates had always offered him their support. He was truly blessed to be part of the Clan Grant, the type of clan that had allies as valuable as the Ramsays, the Camerons, the Menzies, and the Drummonds. He hoped he could earn their respect this day.

Knowing they stood behind him, he rode toward the keep with confidence. Once he reached the portcullis, he slid off his horse, his gaze watching every corner and angle for something unusual.

The guard screeched at him, “Move off to the side. Leave your horse behind.”

He walked toward the gate, his gaze searching for any sign of Bella. He noticed the area around the keep was quite empty—the clan members he’d seen here on his first visit had apparently deserted the earl. He was told to wait outside the gate for the earl to come to him.

That’s when his world collapsed. The Earl of Cliffnock lumbered toward him, his hand holding a dagger to the delicate throat of his wife. Loki had no moves. Alex had told him not to worry, that the situation would be handled from inside. When activity exploded in the keep, Alex and his men would be ready to attack. But there was no sign of Kenzie or the others.

What if Kenzie had failed?

“Set the bag down, but don’t come any closer. I want it on that tree stump over there. I’ll not play the fool again, Loki.” The earl’s eyes danced with a look of superiority.

Hamish came out from behind him. “No wise arse remarks today, Loki? Are you sure you do not wish to take me on? One wee fight. Whoever brings the first to the ground wins. What do you say? The earl gave me permission to fight you, just once.”

Loki stood, his gaze not moving from the earl’s. “Here’s your coin. Release my wife—we have an agreement.” He placed the sack on the tree stump Blackett had indicated, his gaze locked on the dagger at Bella’s throat.

Hamish continued to throw his best taunts his way, but he would not allow the brutish man to distract him from his focus.

His father said, “I do have an agreement with Hamish. He wants a fight with you. I’m of a mind to allow it. What say you, son?”

“I’m not your son, and I am naught like you. Free Bella as you promised. I am not interested in battling with Hamish. I only want my wife.”

The grin that exploded on Edward Blackett’s face told Loki the man had known all along that he was not his sire.

“Nay, ‘tis true, you’re not really mine. You are too much of a lass like your mother.”

Loki ignored the laughter from the opposing guards, his gaze still fixed on Bella.

Then the only thing that could sway his mind happened.

Hamish reached over and rubbed Bella’s bottom, and she chirped, a sound that traveled straight to his soul in an instant.