Page 53 of Highlander Unraveled
“Ye punch it in, dimwit. It’s a computer.”
“A computer?” I paused on the stairs, her language completely lost on me now, but I prayed Emma was picking up on it, because if I could steal that box, then Emma could take us to where we needed to go. Or at the very least, take herself.
“Don’t even ask,” Mrs. MacDonald spewed. “Ye’ll never understand. Keep moving.”
I should fall on her now. Wrestle the bitch to the ground. She was old, weak. My reflexes were quick, swifter than hers, I’d be willing to bet all my lands on that.
Once Emma had reached the bottom, she turned to face me and I winked, nodded my head only the slightest bit so as not to draw attention. She seemed to understand enough to scoot toward the main door and out of the way.
Without warning, I whipped around, staring the old bat right in her widened, surprised eyes. With one hand, I grabbed Mrs. MacDonald’s right wrist which held the gun and with my other, I grabbed her left. I squeezed, watching pain and frustration fill her face, until she let go of the weapon and the black box, both of them bouncing down the stairs. Emma moved quickly to pick them up.
“Ye see,” I said low, and in her face. “I couldn’t let ye get away with whatever it was ye were planning. They dinna call me the Guardian for no reason. Iamthe Guardian of Scotland, and ye are nothing but a conniving old bitch. If ye knew anything, ye’d know I’d bested your clan a hundred times.”
Her old wrinkled lips pursed angrily, and hatred, pure and vile screamed from her eyes.
“No matter where ye are, ye’ll never be safe from me and the others,” she said.
“Nay,” I drawled out. “Ye’ve got the wrong of it, crone.Ye’llnever be safe fromme.” I grinned, the kind I often gave men in battle just before I brought down a final blow upon their skulls. “At least, for as long as I let ye live.”
She seemed surprised; perhaps thinking I would kill her right then and there, but I was against violence towards women and the elderly, and she’d not tried to kill us yet, so she had that on her side. Though I ought to break her hand for considering blowing off my ballocks. I’d show her mercy, something I’d found hard to do with anyone carrying the same name.
“Go back to your hovel, wherever that might be. Live out the rest of your life in peace.” I doubted she would take my suggestion.
“Go to hell,” she spat through gritted teeth.
Just as I suspected. Stubborn as a goat.
“Mrs. MacDonald,” Emma said. “Where is your car?”
Car? What the hell was a car? I seemed to recall Emma telling me about it once, but it was hard to match the foreign words with the actual objects.
“Why should I tell ye that?” The older woman jutted her chin obstinately, still struggling in my grasp.
“Because, if you don’t, I will shoot you.” Emma’s face was calm, serious. “Shooting you doesn’t mean you have to die.”
“Ye wouldn’t,” Mrs. MacDonald said.
Emma lowered the gun, pointing at the woman’s foot. “Oh, I would. I’ve a greater reason to be rid of you and on my way than you have to keep me here.”
Emma pulled back the lever; the same one Mrs. MacDonald had cocked before shooting the corner of the bedchamber.
I held my tongue, allowing her to make these decisions. Emma had been the one tormented by this woman and if she really wanted to shoot her, I was going to fully support her choice.
“’Tis outside.”
Emma opened the door a crack, and then nodded. “I’m shocked. You didn’t lie.”
Mrs. MacDonald huffed.
“Well,” Emma said, pursing her lips. “I do apologize for this in advance, it’s going to hurt.”
And then she pulled the trigger, shooting Mrs. MacDonald in the foot.
The woman screamed and I jumped just the smallest bit. I’d not expected her to go through with it. The woman fell to the floor, blood seeping from the hole in her shoe.
“Never get in the way of a mother and her child,” Emma said. “As a mother, I’m sure you understand.”
Emma still held the gun pointed at the old crone, but she turned her gaze to stare at me wide-eyed. Time to go. Time for me to step in and give her the strength she needed. I nodded, mouthed,well done. I’d hug her as soon as we were out of sight.
