Page 48 of To Wed a Witch
"But ye helped deliver Aidyn," Sìne protested desperately."Ye cared for her..."
"I kept her safe because she was useful," Paisley replied coldly."A perfect tool for controlling ye, and eventually getting what we want.Though I must admit, I grew rather fond of the wee sprite.Perhaps I'll keep her when this is over."
Sìne stood in shock and clutched a whimpering Aidyn tighter.All this time the enemy was in her own home."But why now?"
"Ye were not supposed to marry!But yer da kept guards watching ye once the wedding was announced, then that bloody Ferguson moved ye into his chambers and kept ye close.'Tis infuriating how much he loves ye!"
"Well, he will cast ye aside once he learns that ye ran away with me!"Sutherland said.
"Never!"
They were moving toward her now as Sìne took slow steps backward.She knew they would grab both her and Aidyn, and once she was in their clutches, there was no telling what would happen.But the mist began to thicken even more.Visibility was difficult.
She jumped when Ada appeared beside her."Ada, ye must get away from here!"Sìne whispered.
"Nae, mistress, 'tis ye who must go.I'll protect ye!"
Sìne clutched her arm, trying to drag her away from the circle, but Ada would not budge.Instead, she said, "Go, mistress.If anything happens to ye or the bairn, the laird will lose his mind, and our clan will be done for."
Ada pushed her away just as visibility disappeared altogether.She heard Ada shout, and Paisley scream, and somewhere in the distance Greig roared.But the fog was so thick now.The sound of steel clashing against steel reverberated through the blinding mist.
Then the voices in the mist began to speak again.Urgent murmurings at first until suddenly Sìne could understand them loud and clear.They said, "Run!"
Clutching Aidyn tightly to her chest, Sìne ran.
***
MEANWHILE, BACK ATFerguson Keep, Bhaltair and his companions had returned to find the stronghold in complete turmoil.Servants were running about in panic, and most of the able-bodied clansmen were nowhere to be seen.
"What in hell is happening here?"Bhaltair roared as a maid came running to meet them.
"Yer wife," she panted."Sutherland has taken the bairn.There was a letter.She's gone to the stone circle in the glen!"
Bhaltair's face went white, then red with fury."How long?"he demanded.
"Near an hour," she replied."Greig went with her, and Ada.But then word spread, and the clan..."
Bhaltair was already moving toward his horse.He swung into his saddle, his face a mask of rage."Ewan, Lileas...ye remain here.This is naught to do with yer clan.My men and I ride for the glen."
Ewan snorted."And miss a good fight?I dinnae think so!"
"Ye're not leaving me behind either!"Lileas yelled.
Ewan stopped to exchange words with his wife.A heated argument ensued until eventually Lileas agreed to remain behind, in case Sìne and Aidyn returned to the Keep.
Then Bhaltair and the warriors rode out into the mist.
***
THEY ARRIVED AT AGAN'SGlen to see chaos unfolding in the distance.Through the swirling mist, they could make out figures struggling.Greig was grappling with armed men while Ada tried to shield something with her body.And there, near the stone circle, more shapes in the fog.
"Ferguson!"Bhaltair's war cry split the air like thunder as he rode into the affray with sword drawn.The glen erupted into battle.
Sutherland's men emerged from around the circle, but they found themselves facing not just Bhaltair's small force but angry Ferguson clansmen and women who had come to defend their lady, wielding whatever makeshift weapons they had at their disposal.The sound of battle rang through the mist.
***
"AFTER HER!"SUTHERLANDshouted, and to Sìne's horror, men emerged from the woods as they all gave chase.But his voice was already growing muffled by the fog.
