Page 77 of Highlander Lord Of Vengeance

Torrance’s jaw tightened. He stepped around the table, slow and deliberate, his boots thudding on the packed dirt floor. “I ordered you to return home and report what happened to Brack. Yet you saw fit to trail mercenaries and to pause long enough to chat with Chieftain Eagan.?”

Gavin drew himself up. “I serve Clan Glencairn. I did what I thought best.”

Torrance halted in front of him, close enough to see the sheen of sweat beginning to bead at Gavin’s brow. “Nay, you did what served you. And I want to know why.”

Gavin’s breath caught. “My lord?—”

“Who gave the order?” Torrance barked. “Who bought your loyalty? Tell me who stands behind this betrayal!”

Gavin’s face contorted. “Someone wiser than you is what I heard.” His voice cracked with something twisted—bitterness, regret, guilt. “I followed orders same as every man there. You were never meant to survive the battle with Clan MacLeish.”

Brack moved, startled, but Torrance’s hand went up, stopping him as his eyes narrowed dangerously.

Gavin gave a bitter laugh. “You should have died. That’s what was promised. A clean end to a burdened legacy. But you lived. Damn you, you lived.”

A heavy silence dropped, broken only by the slow, measured sound of Torrance’s breathing.

Then he moved, seizing Gavin by the front of his tunic and slamming him back against the table. “Who gave that promise?” he snarled, his face close. “Who?”

Gavin stared at him, defiant, even in fear. “Ask your noble allies. Ask those who smile to your face and sharpen blades behind your back. You have no idea how deep this hate for you runs.”

Fury raged in Torrance’s voice. “I’ll find them, every last one of them. And you’ll tell me all you know, or I’ll leave your bones for the crows.”

Brack stepped forward, uncertain. “Torrance?—”

“Secure him in a dwelling surrounded by trustworthy guards,” Torrance ordered, his voice like ice. “He’ll talk by the time I get done with him.”

Gavin spat at the floor. “It doesn’t matter what you do to me. I can’t tell you what I don’t know. And it won’t change anything. You were meant to die… and some still mean to see it done.”

Torrance didn’t look at him again. His gaze was distant, fixed, as if seeing the battlefield all over again. Had he missed something? Had the answer been there in front of him all along?

Brack moved quickly, signaling two guards to seize Gavin.

Torrance turned away, jaw clenched, rage simmering beneath his skin. He meant to know who wanted Torrance dead. He had given the man his word and he would keep it. But what mattered the most to him was getting the chance to have a good life with Esme.

Brack fell in step beside Torrance as they left the meeting house. “You believe him?”

Torrance’s mouth twisted. “Not a word. His lies were layered thick enough to drown in. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was meeting with that group of mercenaries.”

“He named no one.”

“He didn’t need to. He confirmed enough.” Torrance’s tone sharpened. “Someone wants me dead, and this person is using others to see it done… those who hate me and we both know there are many.”

They walked a few paces before Brack said, “What now?”

“I find out who gave the order. And then I break every bond of loyalty that holds this treachery together.”

Brack nodded once, grim. “You’ll have my sword when the time comes.”

Torrance paused at the edge of the path, his expression hard as flint. “I’ll need more than swords, Brack, only the truth will see this done.”

With that, he turned and headed toward the cottage as snow began to fall in faint, drifting flakes. The two warriors were as Torrance had left them, standing guard at either side of the door.

“One of you go and warm yourself with drink in front of the fire at the meeting house while the other remains here. When that one returns the other may leave and warm himself and rest. Do that throughout the night so neither one of you freeze,” Torrance ordered and rapped hard on the door. “Open the door, wife, it is me.”

The two guards stared at Torrance’s back as the door opened and shut behind him. Then they stared at each other until the younger of the two smiled and nodded at the older warrior to go. With a nod of appreciation, he left, and the younger warrior shook his head, not understanding Lord Torrance’s generosity.

Esme found herself taking a quick step away from Torrance when he entered, a shadow of anger on his handsome face that startled and frightened her.

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