Stone Heart (22 page)

Tearach's youngest brother was among the last to be burned. I remember seeing Tearach holding him close and weeping as if the world were crushing him. I'll never forget that as long as I live." She shook her head as if the memories could be held back by doing so.

Angus remembered that for a Goblin to acknowledge pain, in any form, was unheard of. For one to show anguish indicated the horror of the situation. As a very young child, Angus had played among the Goblins and knew they were taught iron-like control. Of all the members of the Order, they were the most envied in that respect. "What about the babes?

They were no'..."

"Almost all of them died, too. It was the most monstrous situation anyone can ever remember. Even the decimation of the Order in King Arthur's time pales in comparison."

Angus shook his head and passed a hand over his face.

"Ach, my pain is but an instant in time compared to the 193

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Goblins'. My parents died knowing the risks they took. It took me many years to accept that. But to die in such a way as you have described is
murder
. If I were Tearach, I dunna'

know if I would show as much control as he did this night.

Still, Karen was not responsible for his loss. And her kin's devotion tells me that evil dwells no' within a race. 'Tis a weakness born of ignorance, and all individuals are susceptible to this frailty. I, myself, complied with its demands because it was easier than forgiving."

"You're a wise man, Angus. I believe you and Tearach could be great friends one day. He had a kind and loving nature once. And if he says he won't harm Karen, he won't.

He can be trusted."

"I can protect her from any man or beast, but no' the weakness in her body. 'Tis no' fair that the innocent should suffer while evil abounds. So verra' much is no' fair."

"No one promised us a fair life. And though I've only known Karen briefly, I don't believe she'd want you to grieve for her. And she isn't dead
yet
. Make good use of the time you have. Some, like Tearach, are given no time at all. He never got the chance to say good-bye or see his family and friends again."

"Aye." The man was to be pitied though Angus knew Goblins scorned that emotion.

After a few moments of silence, Amber wrapped her arm about his waist. "Come on. I'll show you some places Karen might like to see."

* * * *

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The morning was beautiful, but Karen had to force herself to notice the lovely flowers and birds within the garden. From her window the previous night, she'd seen Amber and Angus walk toward the woods. She remembered Angus telling her that those who did so would make love. Of course he'd have wants and needs after so many years alone. But that didn't stop the shards of jealously tearing at her insides. What would it be like to lie with him in the forest? Would he be gentle, his hands tender upon soft flesh? Or would his long celibacy drive him to lustful extremes?

She closed her eyes and conjured images of what he and Amber had been like together. Their exquisite, writhing bodies would rival any work of art. The bold beauty of that mental image caused her mouth go to dry.

"Ah, there you are." Shayla walked around a hedge holding a bouquet of fresh herbs.

Karen's eyes opened and her hands covered her face. Who knew what psychic powers the Sorceress might have. She desperately prayed that if the woman could divine her thoughts she'd be tactful enough to never mention it. "H-hello, I was ... was just admiring the beautiful garden."

"Are you in pain, child? You look flushed." Shayla place her hand upon Karen's cheek.

"A little too much sun, I guess."

"Perhaps you should come into the study and out of the heat. Our archivist is there and ready to help you with your work."

"That's a good idea. I need to work."

"You're sure you feel up to it?" Shayla asked.

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Shayla's concern made her feel guilty. On this occasion, the problem wasn't with her heart. Not in the
physical
sense.

"I'm fine. Really. Just show me where you'd like me to go."

Shayla smiled and nodded. They walked back to the building, through French doors and into a huge library.

Polished oak shelves held thousands of books, marble-topped tables displayed antiques and treasures from every era. The room itself was rectangular with a massive fireplace filling one end. Near the fireplace sat an antique desk with the most modern computer equipment Karen could have ever ordered.

"This is magnificent," she said as she slowly turned and viewed her surroundings in awe.

"Heather O'Connor, our archivist, will be along shortly.

You've met her husband, Gryphon. If there's anything you need just ask."

"Will Angus be coming by?" she blurted.

Shayla smiled. "Yes, later today. He's in the clearing with some of the others. He has asked me to tell you not to work too hard. And so you shouldn't. Take any breaks you need."

"Thank you, Shayla. I promise to make your computer files as secure as I possibly can. But that might mean downloading some data onto discs and not allowing general access to research."

"Advise Heather of everything you do." She walked toward Karen slowly. "I'm placing the safety of everyone here in your hands, child. That includes Angus. Our people should have been more careful with our information and have been reprimanded for their carelessness. We're relying on you."

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She nodded. "You won't be sorry. I swear it. I won't let anything happen to him ... uh, all of you."

Shayla studied her for a long moment. "He means a great deal to you, doesn't he?"

Karen didn't bother pretending who the
he
in question was. "Yes."

Shayla placed the herbs she was carrying in a basket.

Then she looked up and held Karen's gaze. "It's obvious there's no future in it, girl. I don't mean to seem cruel."

"You're not. You're just stating a fact. He'll remember me as a friend and go on."

"I was speaking of
your
feelings toward him."

"No offense, Sorceress, but my emotions are my own and will die with me. I've a right to them. But I'll make sure they don't hinder Angus in any way. He won't ever know how I really feel. We're just friends and that's the way it'll stay."

She was now convinced Shayla had sensed something of her thoughts in the garden.

Shayla stared at her for several moments before speaking.

"I believe you. You're strong."

"No, I'm not strong." She shook her head. "Just determined not to make things harder for him."

"You know," she said with a sigh, "if you weren't so ill, I'd be greatly tempted to let you go."

Karen grinned. "No, you
wouldn't
. You'd turn me into a spider or something to ensure I never told anyone about the Order."

"That's absolute rubbish! I've never turned
anyone
into a spider." She paused. "Not
yet
."

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Karen watched the older woman smile and walk away. She wasn't fooled. Shayla would do whatever it took to keep her people safe, and that included a great deal more than casting a few Halloween-like spells.

She settled herself behind the desk and began to get familiar with the equipment. A woman entered the room and Karen rudely stared. The girl was only a bit older than herself and breathtakingly lovely. Brown hair fell about her shoulders in soft waves and her unusual, silver-blue eyes sparkled. She wore a dark green jerkin and leather pants and boots to match.

"Hi. I'm Heather O'Connor, and I've heard a great deal about you from my mate and Shayla." She held out her hand and smiled.

"
American
?" Karen almost shouted when she heard the woman's accent.

"New York born and bred. And you should see your expression," Heather merrily remarked.

Karen smiled at her. "Oh,
this
I've gotta hear." The very idea there would be an American among all the British, Irish and Scottish creatures was too strange. She'd wrongly assumed there were no New World members of the Order.

"How I got here is a long story, but I'll tell it while we work. If you're up for a good fairy tale that is."

"At this point, I'm up for anything," Karen acknowledged.

* * * *

"The man swings a Claymore the way others wield a toothpick. And he's good with a sword and long bow as well,"

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Hugh reported. "As unfortunate as it probably was for many poor bastards, he has had a great deal of
hands-on
experience with ancient weapons. Much more than any of us."

"That's to be expected. He's from an age when those weapons were the only defenses he had available," Shayla explained. "And since we still use them here, he can help train the other men in their proper use."

"It's a good job for him. Look at the size of the brute."

Hugh turned toward the clearing where Gryphon O'Connor was having a difficult time holding his own against Angus. The two men were bare to the waist, swinging broadswords.

Others had stopped to watch. Sweat glistened from their bodies as they fought. But the smiles and good-natured taunts they exchanged belied the seriousness of the encounter. Bystanders cheered them on as it became clear neither man would give up.

"How long have they been at this?" Shayla asked.

"All morning. Neither of them wants to be the first to stop."

"
Testosterone!"
Shayla snorted and shook her head. "What would men be without it and women do to
attract
it?"

"Aye, it makes the world go 'round." Hugh grinned as he watched the men flail away. "They're loving this."

"Very well, then. If they're going to beat each other catatonic, give them a real challenge." She paused. "Have Lore and three of his best men feign an attack. Let's see what the two of them do against the Fairies."

Hugh rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Now
that'll
be a fight worth goin' a mile to see!"

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Shayla watched as Hugh approached Lore and the other Fairies. When they realized a game was afoot, hoots of excitement came from the winged men around the clearing.

Tankards of ale appeared and minor bets were placed on the outcome. The two Druids continued their mock battle, too absorbed to notice they were being encircled by four smiling Fairies.

Shayla shook her head again. "Men! Goddess help us all."

She took a seat to watch the mock battle.

"They're upon you, lads. Druids,
dion
!" Hugh shouted the Gaelic word for
protect
.

Angus and Gryphon finally paused long enough to see four new attackers enter the clearing. Like boys on the same team, they nodded at each other then turned back to back.

They now faced the Fairy threat. Lore lunged forward first.

Then the other Fairies followed him into the battle.

Shayla viewed the mock war with a critical eye. Taking over from his own father, Gryphon would soon be leader of the Druid Clan and was warrior class. If he accepted Angus, so would everyone else. She could simply have ordered that Angus be allowed to join them. But this was a matter of pride.

Angus had to earn their respect and know he deserved it.

After this, there would be no doubt about his place within the Order. No one but Lore had ever had the endurance to swing a broadsword so long against Gryphon O'Connor.

She let them fight on for another half hour, and then she stepped forward. The men were tiring, and competitors who swung poorly could inadvertently cause severe injury. The purpose of the match was accomplished. "Halt! I call a draw."

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She used the wind to magnify her voice so that no one misheard.

The men immediately stopped and handed their blades to bystanders. Angus and Gryphon slumped, placed their hands upon their knees and panted heavily. It took minutes more before they had sufficiently recovered to make the walk toward her. She watched them grin like imps. "
Testicles
! But for a woman's needs, I think men would sometimes be better without them," she muttered to herself. "How long were the two of you going to keep it up?"

"Till
he
stopped," they both replied at the same time and laughed like children.

* * * *

Karen had stood beside Heather and watched. Steel had met steel in one crushing blow after another. When they'd finally stopped swinging, it occurred to her that she had been holding her breath. One wrong move, one misjudged lunge, and any of them could have died. During the exchange, her heart had begun to pound, but the medicine she'd swallowed would take effect soon. The bottle had come out of her pocket the moment the clearing had come into view. The mock battle had been frightening and exhilarating all at once. Afterward, Heather had run joyfully forward and jumped up to hug her gorgeous husband's neck. The woman evidently appreciated the fine showing Gryphon had made and seemed unconcerned about his safety. Then Karen had watched as Gryphon bent down and kissed Heather soundly. It seemed Gryphon had enough energy for
other
things as he urged his 201

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wife into the woods, holding her close. It didn't take magic or a crystal ball to divine what the two of them would be doing for the rest of the day. Karen envied their love and freedom.

She was about to step out of the shadows and walk toward Angus, when Amber closed the distance first. The Fairy woman handed Angus a towel and smiled impishly. His reward for a battle well-fought. Angus hugged her and then stepped away to dry his body with the towel.

Karen's heart plummeted and a lump formed in her throat.

Tears stung her eyes and she turned away. Thankfully, no one seemed to notice. Her pride was still intact. She made her way back to the estate home and into the library. Heather had told her about ancient weapons being part of the Order's tradition and had agreed to show Karen the men's training.