Page 14 of To Wed a Highlander
Chapter 5
Kenna thought the dozen or so Viking warriors took the apocalyptic news rather well, all things considering. She supposed they were rather used to the idea of Gods, magick, war, and almost-certain death. They rallied around Niall, their undisputed leader, with a ferocity that both warmed and terrified her.
It was the nuns, and her fellow novices, that seemed to take the most issue with it all. Kenna had watched as the Vikings roused the anxious and bleary-eyed nuns from their beds and herded them into the courtyard, unmolested, whereupon Kenna tried to deliver the information regarding the Wyrd sisters, the Grimoire, and her Druid cousins with as much gentility as possible.
“Do you mean to tell us, that you’ve been hiding this evil book within these holy wallsall this time?” Mother Superior demanded, her jowls shaking with obvious temper. “We knew you had tendencies toward witchcraft—that you might have been beset by a demon or two—but I was willing to help you find your way back to the Lord.”
“You don’t understand,” Kenna argued. “These women will bring the wrath of evil here. They are possessed of powers you cannot comprehend, and they won’t hesitate to hurt orkilleach and every one of you.”
“On your soul be it,” the elderly nun hissed. “This is hallowed ground. The devil has no hold here and we are not a violent people. Besides, we are commanded to turn the other cheek.”
“Not violent people?” Niall snarled at the old nun, causing her to jump before her features darkened with outrage. “Are you also commanded to whip defenseless women? Is that how your God teaches his wives and servants, through pain and humiliation?”
“Thatwitchcursed young Brigit here, and Mary-Katherine with bodily injury,” the bitter nun spat. “She’s the devil in her heart, and likely her bed.”
“That’s not true.” Kenna fought to keep her voice even. “I didn’t curse them, Iwarnedthem. I told Brigit that if she didn’t tuck her hem higher, she’d fall down the stairs, and so she did. And if I hadn’t said something to Mary-Katherine about how to save herself from choking, that pit would have killed her.” She turned to Mother Superior, hoping to soften her, though it hadn’t ever worked before. “Sometimes, I can foresee what is to come in the flames. I don’t do it on purpose. I don’t even know when it is going to happen, but can’t you understand that I was trying to help?”
“It says in the book of—”
Kenna squeaked as Niall shoved her behind him and towered over the woman with intimidating promise etched into his brutal features. “I don’t give a dustyfuckabout any book but the one we’re trying to protect, and if you so much as look her way with questionable intent, so help me, I’ll—”
To Kenna’s utter surprise, Ingmar, Niall’s tall and rather squirrelly-looking general stepped in-between his glaring leader and the battle-axe in charge of Westmire. “Look, woman, this isn’t a man you’d like to see when he gets angry. And, from what we saw of this here Druid lady last night, she isn’t a woman to be trifled with. So, if you want my advice, let’s stop talking and start preparing for the end of the world. Which, to me means a good roast, some wine, and… let’s be honest, how many of you really want to die virgins?”
Sputtering with outrage, Mother Superior whirled on Ingmar. “How dare you!”
“Mother Superior,” Sister Judith stepped from the gathering of nuns who whispered together in a flurry of white habits and black wool. Kenna had always liked Sister Judith, as she was young and energetic, with soft grey eyes and a pretty sort of tranquility that brought peace to all her dealings. If Kenna tried to emulate anyone in the abbey, it would be Judith.
“Perhaps we could consider that God sent these men and Kenna here, to protect us from these evil witches.” Judith cast Kenna a gentle smile. “He does work in mysterious ways, after all. Don’t you think if he created all things, he must have created this Berserker and granted this Druid her—abilities for his own purposes? Perhaps it might be reasonable to help them intervene on our behalf, don’t you think so, sisters?”
The sisters of Westmire appeared indecisive, but most of them seemed grateful to have a soft voice in such a hard time.
“Thank you, Sister Judith,” Kenna breathed. “I promise, I will do all I can to ensure no harm comes to the abbey and the women here.” Her greatest hope was that she could keep that promise.
“Marry me,” Ingmar demanded of Judith, dropping to his knees at her feet.
Instead of seeming incensed, Judith gifted Ingmar with an amused, almost delighted smile. “Dear Northman,” she chided, patting him on the shoulder. “Our heart and souls are promised to another, but we can slaughter a pig and offer you some very good barleywine and the best Highland whiskey.”
Kenna thought capitulation would look odd on Viking features, and she’d been right. Though Ingmar brightened considerably at the mention of drink.
Mother Superior’s deeply-lined face resembled that of a withered aubergine. “How can it be,” she sputtered, “that my abbey is overrun by pagans and demons, witches and devils?”
“It does appear that you’re I‘nun’dated,” Ingmar bowed to the enraged nun. “But we promise not to make a ‘habit’ of invading your home.” With a self-congratulatory chortle, he nudged Judith in the shoulder a few times, and she offered him a gracious smile, though no one else seemed amused.
“Tough crowd,” he observed. “Someone say something about whiskey?”
Motioning to a few of her sisters, Judith led them to the kitchens, leaving Kenna and Niall to battle with Mother Superior and her many chins of disapproval.
“Do what you will,” Niall informed the woman, obviously out of what little patience he’d ever had. “My men and I are going to help your nuns storm-proof this abbey and build what few defenses we can. Just don’t get in our way.”
Kenna watched as he gave orders and began to organize not just his people, but hers, as well. A horrible thought plagued her as she tried to figure where she would be the most help. It was the very last line of the Doomsday Prophesy, one upon which she and Malcolm had debated most spiritedly. One which alternately gave her hope, and terrified her.
It is not known who shall be left standing at the end of that great day of wrath.
Chapter 6
Niall found Kenna at the casement in the abbey’s library, curled in the window seat, using moonlight and a few candles to pour over the Grimoire. The day had been long and productive, and at this moment, the small abbey was as prepared as it could ever be.
Would it be enough, he wondered, to stand against such power as these Druids wielded? Kenna had told him that the in the evil retinue of three, a Water Druid, Macha, and another fire Druid, Nemain, accompanied Badb, and that they used incredibly heinous means to feed their power. Blood magick, human sacrifices, and all manner of dark, torturous deeds. They were masterful witches, with more than two hundred years of practice and preparation on their side.
