Page 15 of Promises to Keep

I asked, “And this man, I don’t believe we’ve met?”

Agnie sneered, “This is Ian Campbell.”

“Where have I heard that name before?”

Lady Mairead said, “He challenged Magnus. He is a cousin.”

“Oh right, Ian the Troublesome. Agnie, I have to say, you keep shit company.” Hayley shoved his hands away.

I said, “What do you want from us?”

Agnie said, “Nothing from ye, yet. I will destroy Lady Mairead. Then I will take the kingdom, and then I will destroy yer family. I believe I will begin with yer descendants, yer grandchildren perhaps, and work m’way up, so ye can watch.”

The man who Lady Mairead had arrived with rushed over. “Lady Mairead, the paintings! There is some dark political work at foot, we need to leave—”

She said, “Cornie, ye must be strong, I hae tae go somewhere for a moment.” She patted him affectionately on the cheek.

Agnie said, “This verra handsome man is with ye, Lady Mairead? Verra interesting. Does General, what is his name — General Hammond? Doesheknow of your young man?”

Agnie jerked her head and two henchmen grabbed a struggling Cornie by the arms and dragged him away.

Lady Mairead’s face went even more pale. “Where are ye taking him? He is important tae history, ye canna harm him, he…”

Agnie brushed that away. “Did ye hear what I said about your mother-in-law’s descendants, Kaitlyn? They happen tae be your descendants as well, and Lady Mairead winna be able tae help you. It will be very entertaining tae destroy the Campbells by cutting off the head of the hydra and then one-by-one slicing off the tentacles, the children.”

I said, “That’s the stupidest plan in the world, if you cut off the head of the hydra, new heads come — the tentacles, what the hell are you talking about?” I looked at my mother-in-law, “You were right, she is an imbecile.”

Agnie scowled. “I am talking about destroying your family! Your husband won’t forsake his mother — tell Magnus he’s next.”

Lady Mairead raised her chin. “Ye are ridiculous, your black heart has made ye wretched and a–”

“Ye hae always wanted what is mine.”

“Ye stand there in yer out-of-time Gucci scarf, destroying a painting, inside the Museum of Modern Art, great art! Important art! At my party! I have been first ineverything! Ye are trying tae take it from me, but ye winna win. I am stopping ye if it is the last thing I do!”

Agnie put her finger on the button once more. “It seems as if I am the one winning, Lady Mairead.”

“Ye are the most ridiculous woman! From throwin’ yerself at Donnan, tae this bullshit, I cannabelieveye expect anyone tae take ye seriously, least nae me. I am unlikely tae think ye serious, as ye are too far beneath m’consideration.”

“Frankly I am tired of speakin’ on it. Ye lose another piece of art.” Agnie pushed a button. “They must be careful dealing with this one, acid burns.”

I swept my eyes around the museum, looking for the — a painting on the far wall, clear liquid rolling down the surface, the paint smearing, dripping, and sliding down.

Lady Mairead clamped her hands over her mouth. “Tis the Cezanne! Nae!”

“Be quiet then, I want naething but silence.”

Lady Mairead clamped her lips between her teeth but couldn’t draw her eyes from the disintegrating canvas.

Agnie watched her with a smile. “I am sick and tired of all of this, I’m going to destroy another painting.” She pushed the button once again.

Lady Mairead shrieked, her face a pallor, her body weaving, weakly she said, “Which one, which one was it?”

“It does not matter, except that it’s gone, no one will ever even remember it, except you. All this art, all these historical events, all these people, we will take them from you, one by one.” She held up her remote control, pushed another button, and there was a flash of light and a small bang. Smoke rose from a large painting near the back wall.

Lady Mairead screamed, “Nae! Twas one of Pablo’s!” She collapsed against one of the guards. “Nae! Not Pablo’s!”

Agnie rolled her eyes. “Och nae, Lady Mairead, are ye upset? Ye seem verra stressed out.”

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