Page 16 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
“Of course. But do we even have an idea where to look?”
He hands his smartphone to me. We don’t have the greatest reception out here, but we were able to have the castle wired for Wi-Fi a few years ago. It’s not the fastest or most reliable connection, but it’s better than nothing.
It takes a few moments for the video he’s pulled up to load so we can watch the news segment about a strange incident that occurred in London earlier. Seems a bus driver had some kind of medical event and fell unconscious at the wheel. A tourist managed to grab the wheel and eventually stopped the bus. I frown as I watch the footage—there isn’t a visual of this mystery savior.
“You’re saying that’s the Conduit?” I ask as I hand the phone back to Kelwyn.
“We think so. A brownie on holiday in London reported meeting him at Heathrow. Said he told her he was heading for Scotland. Then this bizarre accident happened and it seems the Conduit was on the bus. Otherkind helping at the scene detected the scent of a newly awakened Conduit, and a powerful talent at that.”
I sit up straighter. “Were any of our people in London able to track the scent?”
“I have people on it, but we learned of the event late. We’re now working several hours behind when the event happened.”
Bloody hell. That’s far from advantageous.
“We hope to locate the Conduit soon. The last report I had indicated the scent went into a Tube station.”
I scowl, my mind racing. Time is of the essence.
“Your vision corroborates this account of the Conduit coming in our direction?” I ask the Oracle.
She inclines her head. “Aye, the Conduit is moving north from London at a fast speed.”
“The brownie said the Conduit mentioned taking the Caledonian Sleeper train,” Kelwyn says.
For some reason that sends a zing of awareness through me. I’m not exactly psychic, nor do I have prophetic visions like the Oracle, but sometimes I get an uncanny instinct about things, one that I’ve learned to listen to over the years.
“The sleeper train’s where we need to look,” I say with conviction.
Kelwyn stands. “I’ll update my contacts in London and have them search for any traces of this person taking one of the sleeper trains or buses for Scotland.”
Already, I’m antsy. Most will have left London to start making their overnight journey here by now.
“We should get a head start and travel south, closer to the border. Once they cross over into Scotland, I’ll be able to sense him,” I say.
Kelwyn nods. “You must find this man. He’s our only chance of strengthening the barrier.”
What he isn’t saying is that I need the Conduit to enhance my powers as our last Barrier Master in the clan since my grandfather passed away. The difficulty of maintaining the barrier by myself is becoming more and more taxing. A Conduit and their unique ability would solve our biggest problem.
I get to my feet. “I’ll leave this instant and can reach the border in a few hours.”
Kelwyn reaches out and clasps my hand. “Good. I’ll communicate with you once I have an update from my contacts in London.”
As clan leader, Kelwyn can communicate with us telepathically across great distances. He’s connected to each and every member of the clan in that way. I respect and admire the man greatly, I don’t envy him his responsibilities. If I think the burden I bear is a heavy one, then his has got to be ten times worse.
Besides, I don’t have the kinds of people skills that a clan leader needs. Kelwyn possesses charisma and kindness, as well as a fair and even-handed approach to handling everyone.
“Be on guard,” the Oracle murmurs. “Danger follows this one. He must be protected or all could be lost.”
The urgency of the situation makes me restless, and I quickly say my goodbyes before racing back to my room to get the few things I’ll need to take with me for my long flight.
I decide to bring along two of my most trusted subordinates, Darghan and Zar, while my best friend, Braewyn, takes another small squad to search other places just in case.
“I’ll be focusing on the sleeper train from London,” I tell him.
“We’ll look toward the motorways and buses to be on the safe side.” Braewyn grins. “But I know how reliable your instincts are. I’m sure you’ll find him.”
Finally ready to depart, I take a running leap into the air and extend my wings, my two men following close behind as we begin the flight to the border.
