Stone Heart (12 page)

100

Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

"Of course, sir. The customer is always right," the man sharply replied.

Angus shook his head, picked up the luggage again and turned toward the girl. He smiled and nodded. "If you will be so kind as to lead on, lass. We will follow." The clerk was not repentant. Just afraid of making a customer unhappy. There would always be men like him. Just like Angus, himself, had once been. And he suddenly remembered a little serving boy who couldn't get out of the way fast enough, and the faces of those near when he had berated the lad. Angus hung his head in absolute shame. He was no one who should be giving others instruction on humane treatment. In his previous life, he'd done much worse than the man behind the counter.

Karen saw the intense look the defended girl bestowed on Angus. It was nothing short of reverent. In fact, the entire staff would probably gossip about the incident and watch every move they made. Karen was wondering if the little scene would cause them undue attention, but she couldn't fault Angus' behavior. His defense of a publicly humiliated employee was an uncommonly proper thing to do. But she immediately dragged her thoughts into the present situation when the elevator doors closed behind them. Angus was grabbing the elevator railing with ferocity. As the elevator rose, his grasp became so tight that his knuckles where white. She could see him swallowing hard and gazing about the interior of the elevator anxiously.

The porter looked at him. "It's just the motion of the elevator, sir. Are you not used to it?"

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Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

Karen opened her mouth to speak for him, but Angus was quicker.

"There are none where I come from, but I am fine," he assured her, then he smiled at Karen.

When the girl let them into their room, Karen tipped her well. She was about to open her suitcase when the porter turned at the door and spoke to Angus.

"I wish I came from where you do, Mister. Seems like people have a few more manners there." She smiled brilliantly and left.

"No, she would
no'
like to be where I am from. Women were treated like property," he muttered. "And I see some men still consider them such in this time."

Karen shook her head in amazement. "You'll have the entire hotel staff thinking you're a knight in shining armor."

"Bah!" He waved away the compliment. "I only did what I thought right."

"Well,
Sir Angus
, have a hamburger as a reward for being so chivalrous," she joked, and handed him the sack containing their meal.

He rubbed his palms together in anticipation. "If that is the reward, then I shall strive to be more knightly." Angus reached for the bag and felt his mouth water at the thought of the hamburgers.

* * * *

102

Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

It helped that Angus seemed more than eager to take turns driving along the winding roads and narrow lanes.

After he showered, while singing some bawdy song about a bar maid's escapades, Karen watched him come out of the bathroom looking like the world was his oyster. He wore a smug grin and a hotel bathrobe. He made her laugh once again by modeling it in front of her as he'd seen someone do on the TV. Then he quickly grabbed up the remote control and turned on the television.

"I am anxious to hear what news there is," he explained.

"You're getting very good at operating certain mechanical things," she happily remarked.

"'Tis necessary to learn," he shot back.

Karen indulged herself by opening a bag of potato chips and opening up a soda. Angus plopped down beside her, dug into the bag she offered and munched loudly.

"These are verra' good."

"These are verra' fattening," she mocked and shoved his shoulder.

"Good! I like fattening," he quipped.

A movie started and Karen tapped his shoulder to get his attention. "Oh, look! It's a movie about King Arthur."

Angus sat up and stared intently at the screen. "What is a
movie
?"

"It's like a play. There are actors and they pretend to be men and women who lived in that time period."

"Ah, I understand. Are there other plays like this movie?"

She nodded and stuffed her mouth with more chips. "Sure, they come on the television all the time."

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"And that is what this beastie is?
Tele ... television
?" He tried to pronounce it correctly.

"Yep. And if it's hooked up to a lot of channels, you can sit and never watch the same program twice."

He shook his head. "I think 'twould make poor company if it canna' answer questions and hold a decent conversation. A man could spend too much of his time watching the thing."

Karen leaned against him and motioned toward the black box. "You're right. Too many people do just that."

To prove his own point, Angus quickly became engrossed in the play. There were inaccuracies in the story, but it was a very well told tale, nevertheless. When it was over, he shot Karen a questioning look.

"What?" she asked.

"King Arthur did no' give his sword to Percival to throw back into the lake."

Karen almost choked. "What do you mean?"

"When the good King lay dying, he gave his sword to the Green Knight to take back to the Lady of the Lake. But the Lady bid the noble knight to keep it himself until such time as it was needed."

"Are you totally serious?"

"Aye," he answered. "Why would I
no'
be?"

"Are you telling me that story is
true
?" She widened her eyes in surprise.

"Aye. Did you not know this?" he asked.

"The world thinks it's just some kind of old legend."

"So, I believe, am I. Yet here I sit. Eating out of yon bag of

... of..."

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"Potato chips," she supplied.

"Aye, potato chips." He reached into the bag, grabbed a handful and shoved them into his mouth.

"But Arthur would have lived centuries before you. How could you possibly know any of that story is true?"

"As a young boy in the Order, I was taught it was so. My parents told me everything. And there are some who said that many of the Order were descended from Arthur's counselors. That they were even accepted among the outside world at one time. And I remember being told that Excalibur was later given to the Sorceress of the Ancients herself when the Green Knight could no longer keep it safe."

Karen sat up on her knees. "
Get outta' Dodge
!"

"Get out of where?"

She exhaled. "It's another expression. It means that I just don't believe it!"

"S'truth." He nodded.

She leaned back against him. "Do you know what people would give to find out this stuff?"

"This could be why the Order has never wanted to have outsiders know of them. There is great magic among its numbers. Great knowledge of things past."

Karen thought for a moment and distractedly handed Angus a can of soda. "Angus, are you sure it's all right for me to see this place?"

"If it were no', I would no' take you there, lass. We have been invited, so we must go."

"And you're absolutely sure you won't be in trouble for doing so?"

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Stone Heart

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Angus gently turned her to face him. "You are worried for no reason, Karen. No harm will come to you."

"It's not me I'm worried about..."

"Hush, you." He pulled her against his shoulder.

"Tomorrow, you will know the truth of what I say."

"We're that close to the Order?"

"We are."

Karen swallowed hard. She wished they had gotten lost on the road. The last few days had been the very best of her life, and she didn't want their journey to end. Somehow, the man had become much more than just an obligation. More than a friend. Her life had been like a sad, dead end without him.

When he was near, she could almost pretend she was normal.

He made her laugh and certainly caused her to change her beliefs about many things. But not one moment of their relationship had ever been dull. If it was adventure she sought, Angus had certainly fulfilled a great many dreams.

She just wished, with all her heart, they could have a little more time alone. Recalling the reason she was helping him in the first place, she realized that wish was rather selfish. The man needed a place to belong. And soon.

Sensing some of her confusion, Angus pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. She soon fell asleep, as if she'd been in his embrace a thousand times before. In his life, he had never done one thing to deserve such acceptance and friendship. Even after such a short time together, she trusted him. It was so unusual that someone would do so.
I will be worthy of this woman's loyalty and her
family's sacrifice. Or die trying.

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Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

* * * *

"Aye, apparently our kind live as they always have. The wooded area was once known as
The Shire.
It protects all those in the Order, including those who are no' able to change their appearance at will. And Druids, who are humans with power over elements, are most comfortable when they commune with nature," he reminded her.

Karen wasn't having a hard time believing in the shape shifting capabilities Angus had told her about. Many cultures believed those powers existed, and she had the additional proof of what she had seen with her own eyes. She had, after all, watched Angus come to life from stone. To stretch that knowledge a step further and believe in other magical creatures wasn't, therefore, that difficult. She now believed in everything. But it was still exciting and
that
caused her blood pressure to rise. She took deep, calming breaths and closed her hand around the prescription bottle in her jacket pocket.

The pain in her chest could sometimes strike hard. She recited a silent prayer that it wouldn't come. In the short time they'd been together, Angus was already too protective.

"What happens now?" she asked.

"We wait right here. If the Sorceress is in residence, we will soon know." He stopped to tune his senses into the forest. "There are those of the Order near. They will let her know we have come."

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Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

"I won't ask how you know there are people out there,"

she murmured. "Just let me know what to do and when."

He took her hand in his. "Just rest easy, lass. All will be well."

They sat in the car and didn't make a sound for the next half hour. Karen watched him stare intently into the forest.

Her heart might be bad, but her eyes were in perfect condition. And though she couldn't see a sign of anything other than the trees and the birds that flitted between them, she didn't have to be psychic to know they were being carefully scrutinized. The hair on the back of her neck told her so. She swallowed hard when Angus sat up a little straighter and leaned toward the windshield.

"Stay here, Karen," he commanded.

"Where are you going?" She couldn't see anything, but Angus' behavior indicated he
had
.

"I will no' leave your sight, but I need to go toward the woods alone."

Angus knew they were there. It had been a very long time, but his senses still worked. They fairly tingled with the power that emanated from the forest. Whatever happened, he wanted to be the first to make contact with the Order.

Something was not right about Karen being issued such a blatant invitation. While her identity was clearly unknown, it was correctly inferred someone traveled with him. In the message of the crop circle was a clear command. She who served as the current Sorceress of the Ancients wanted his traveling companion
here
. Whoever that Sorceress was, the woman would have to kill him to hurt Karen.

108

Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

"
Peace Be With You. Blessed Be, Angus MacGregor
."

A calm but strong voice addressed him. He turned to see a tall, imposing figure of an older woman. She had long, silver hair which hung loose. She wore a white Druid robe like her predecessors of centuries past. Beside her stood a tall man, well built despite his older years.
The woman's consort
? If so, they made a striking pair. Angus knew he was being addressed by the Sorceress herself. Her silvery gaze perused him cautiously. The older woman was, like all her kind, enchanting and lovely. And deadly if the situation demanded.

Centuries earlier, he would have said something annoying, turned and walked away. He might have even said something altogether obscene. While he could forgive what had been done to him, he could
not
so easily dismiss what had been done to his beloved parents. The old urge to rebel welled up within him again. But he had Karen to think of. Goddess only knew what would happen to her if he behaved in an inappropriate manner. Besides, this woman was not the Sorceress who had chased his family out of the Order, leaving them to die alone. All things were new, including his life. And
this
he now cherished.

He knelt upon the ground and lowered his head, as he had been taught as a child. Even if that practice were archaic, he would be forgiven the faux pas as a show of fealty. "I am known to you, Sorceress? The Order knows my name and story?"

"We only just learned of it, MacGregor, or we would not have left you where you were. We went to Scotland to find you. You must believe that. But you were gone when we 109

Stone Heart

by Candace Sams

arrived, and we didn't have the incantation to reverse your enchantment at any rate. Though it's obvious someone certainly
did
." The Sorceress waved a hand in Karen's direction.