Highland Push

By Laura Harner

The Highland Destiny saga continues in Highland Push, a tale of betrayal, murder, and magick spanning two continents and hundreds of years.

Using the spell of time shifting, Alexander MacLachlan says good-bye to his beloved brother, his brother’s wife, and his own darling Alysone—necessary sacrifices for the survival of Druidry. With his family far in the future preparing for battle, Alex must fulfill his destiny: find the Worthington heir, then kill and be killed.

Thrust forward to a time not her own, Alysone and the others discover precious few light Druids remain to offer their protection to Scotia and the world. As the time for the prophesied battle grows nearer, past meets present, and they realize someone besides Alexander is manipulating events. In a race against time, they must discover the lost secrets of Druidry, even as the members of the dark Bresal Etarlam work to destroy all that is light and claim the Druid legacy as their own.

Highland Push is the third title in the four book Highland Destiny series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laura Harner
• Release date: Aug 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781937252496

Laura Harner

Laura lives on waterfront property in Arizona because she's always wanted to be an oxymoron. She once enjoyed hobbies such as gardening and travel—now the characters in her head compel her to tell their stories, so she writes. (It doesn't actually help quiet the voices—but it keeps the folks in the white jackets at bay.)She shares her home with an ever-revolving cast of characters—some of whom are actually real—and is living her dream of building her own version of the Willow Springs Ranch.With over fifty published novels and novellas, Laura is an international bestselling author of erotic romances, romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and Highland romances. Her books can be found at all major online retailers.Connect with her online at:http://lauraharner.com

Book preview

Highland Push

Highland Destiny: 3

Laura Harner

Highland Push is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Laura Harner

Cover photograph by DWS Photography

Cover Art by Laura E. Harner

Edited by Jae Ashley

All rights reserved.

Smashwords edition published in the United States by Hot Corner Press

ISBN: 978-1-937252-49-6

Warning: All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission, except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

Contact the publisher for further information: [e-mail]

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgement of Trademarks

Highland Push

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-three

Chapter Twenty-four

Chapter Twenty-five

Chapter Twenty-six

Chapter Twenty-seven

Chapter Twenty-eight

Chapter Twenty-nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-one

Chapter Thirty-two

Epilogue

About the Author

Also Available

Dedication

For my readers. Let’s find more worlds to explore together.

I would also like to offer a special thank you to Virgie Stickelmann. You have gone above and beyond, once again, my friend. Here’s your Alex…

Robyn, Danielle, Julie, Sadye, Gail, Lisa, Sonya, Kara, April, Diane, and all the others who have read Highland Push, whether it was the original manuscript or isolated sections, you have all contributed, and thanks for reminding me that no one is beyond redemption.

Jae, thank you for your countless contributions. The Highlands are definitely a better place because of you.

And as always, thank you Dan for helping to bring the image in my head to life through your photography.

Acknowledgement of Trademarks

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Guinness: Diageo Ireland

Tulane University: Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund

Botox: Allergan, Inc.

Highland Push

The Highland Destiny saga continues in Highland Push, a tale of betrayal, murder, and magick spanning two continents and hundreds of years.

Using the spell of time shifting, Alexander MacLachlan says good-bye to his beloved brother, his brother’s wife, and his own darling Alysone—necessary sacrifices for the survival of Druidry. With his family far in the future preparing for battle, Alex must fulfill his destiny: find the Worthington heir, then kill and be killed.

Thrust forward to a time not her own, Alysone and the others discover precious few light Druids remain to offer their protection to Scotia and the world. As the time for the prophesied battle grows nearer, past meets present, and they realize someone besides Alexander is manipulating events. In a race against time, they must discover the lost secrets of Druidry, even as the members of the dark Bresal Etarlam work to destroy all that is light and claim the Druid legacy as their own.

Prologue

With an immortal sigh, Rhyannan looked at her loving husband, Conall. It is done. My sister has taken Kheelen as her lover. It was what they had hoped for, what Rhyannan knew would happen once Queen Morrighan of the Tuatha Dé Danann became aware of Kheelen’s treachery.

A more compassionate ruler might have rushed to rescue the couple trapped for hundreds of years in a bespelled cave. A less covetous woman might have extracted immediate revenge for the unjust imprisonment of her only sister. Queen Morrighan was neither compassionate nor just and would demand to have her sexual needs sated before she would act.

As long as the Queen was preoccupied with the physical pleasures offered by her sister’s former lover, the fabric of magick that surrounded the Fae realm would begin to weaken. Rhyannan would not be the only Tuatha Dé Danann to sense the new opportunities presented by the Queen’s distraction. The human realm would be in ever increasing danger.

Waiting for the walls to weaken was a dangerous game, but they planned to escape their prison before the walls collapsed completely. It would then be up to them to find the Druids and bring the survivors back together in order to restore the balance between Seelie, Unseelie, and Druid. It was a desperate race, for even now, the fate of all Druids rested on the back of their son, Alexander.

Chapter One

Scottish Highlands, 1308

As a Druid, Alexander MacLachlan bore responsibility for the people, for Scotia, for the world. It was this responsibility that weighed heavily upon him now. In the past week, he had said good-bye to his beloved brother, his brother’s wife, and his own darling Alysone. All these sacrifices were necessary so that, sometime in the future, there would be Druids to battle on the side of light, even as a dark force sought to control all magick. An epic battle was coming.

Alexander knew in his heart that those he loved were safe, including the sister that he’d not seen for more years than he could remember. They were alive and well in the twenty-first century, gathering forces, learning magick, and building their families, for through some miracle of blessing, all the women were with child. The Druid bloodline would continue as long as he fulfilled his mission in this time.

Knowing his loved ones were safe did nothing to alleviate his grief, for they were lost to him forever. Today, he would endure their funerals, solidifying the story he wove to explain their sudden absence. Such was the strength of his magick, that maids and warriors alike would remember tragedies that never happened, the stories that explained the deaths of the rest of the MacLachlan clan.

It was not just the MacLachlan that suffered loss. Alexander would leave on the morrow to inform Stephan Worthington of the loss of his last surviving brother, Ian. He was in the future too, and Alex knew his Alysone would be well cared for with Ian by her side. It was a bitter comfort.

****

Stephan Worthington surveyed the drawing room, the rich brocaded furniture, hardwood tables and floors polished to a sheen and felt an enormous amount of satisfaction. He was now the Laird here, not by right of birth, but by might of superior intellect and cunning. Of course, it wouldn’t do to act as though he knew it yet. Stephan would wait for Alexander to give him the tragic news of Ian’s death.

Although Alexander was known and admired for his strength and wisdom, Stephan was sure he would be reeling from being surrounded by so much death. Not only was Stephan’s brother dead but so was Alexander’s brother, Gabhran. Ian and Gabhran had once been specially selected for Druid training, had become closer than brothers, and it was only fitting they would die within days of each other. Stephan had hated them and had a hand in both of their deaths. One more death and the Worthington name would forever be remembered as the salvation of the lost Druids.

Won’t you come in, Alexander? Stephan heard his wife remark. He moved to where he could see their greeting, adjusting the expression on his face to reflect the expected grief he should be feeling.

Lovely Maeve, still as intoxicating as ever, Alexander said, making a play on the meaning of her name and kissing her cheek. Would that we were meeting under happier circumstances. What is this? Alexander asked, stepping back and eying her gently rounded stomach.

Maeve blushed prettily, but her soft voice was serious, I am sorry to hear of your loss, dear Alexander. Come to the drawing room, Stephan awaits.

Maeve called out as she led Alexander to the drawing room, Stephan, Alexander is here.

Stephan stepped forward, and grasped Alexander’s outstretched hand in both of his. Alex, let me add my condolences to those of my wife. Gabhran was a great friend to this family. He died as a result of saving my life, you know. Flung himself between me and the assassin’s arrow. I am sure my brother, Ian, is devastated. He was with you, was he not? He hasn’t been here since he returned Gabhran’s body to you.

Alexander gave an aggrieved sigh. Aye, Stephan, it is about that which I have come. My heart is heavy with loss. Not only have I lost Gabhran and his new wife, and their unborn child, but I am sorry to tell you that Ian has been lost as well. It seems the assassins followed him. He went to make his private farewell to Gav and was shot with a bolt from a crossbow. It was two days before we found him. He had crawled a fair way after being shot.

Alexander caught Maeve’s arm and lowered her to the settee as her knees buckled. She began to weep quietly. Stephan kept his face a careful mask as he moved to sit next to his wife. Alex remained silent and stepped back to cede the couple some privacy.

After a moment, Stephan stood and put his hand out to Alexander. Thank you for coming to tell us personally. It means a great deal, particularly in light of your own loss.

Stephan glanced over his shoulder, confirming that his wife was not paying attention to them and led Alex to the other side of the room. We both know the roles our brothers played among the Druid. This is a great loss to them. Is someone attacking the Druids?

Alexander stiffened. I don’t believe that, especially considering the circumstances surrounding Gav’s death. After all, that was an attack on your family, and as far as I know, Ian was the only one Druid trained.

True, true. I was considered, but at the time there was only space for one apprentice, and the Gailtry selected Ian as he was the eldest. I wonder where the other Druids are? You’re not…

Nay, the Gailtry wanted naught to do with me, Alexander replied gruffly.

Perhaps, given our closeness to Ian and Gabhran, we should explore the Druids further. If nothing else, after their recent losses they could use honorable men such as us to replenish their ranks. I know they try to keep their identities protected, but I will search through Ian’s belongings and look for clues. I suggest you do the same, Alex. It fair gives me the shivers to think of our world as unprotected by Druid magick. Will you join me in my search? Shall we work together?

Alexander looked at Stephan a long time, before he finally answered a whispered, Aye.

****

Hours later, Alexander leaned his elbows on the bar at a nearby inn, head in his hands, and stared into his glass. It was done. Yesterday, he’d said his formal good-byes to his family, endured the sympathetic looks from the townspeople, and heard the quiet sobs of the castle staff as the caskets were lowered into the ground. Today, he’d told Worthington about the loss of Ian and watched Maeve’s tears in her grief.

Nay, his own grief was not feigned; they were as lost to him as in death now. He was alone, and it was time to fight his next battle.

He signaled the bartender for another glass, even as he knew it was dangerous to slow his reflexes or relax his defenses so deep in enemy territory. One more drink, then he would return to his room for the night.

Alexander, good to see you, although I’m surprised to find you this far from home so soon after the funerals. I suppose you came to offer formal condolences to the Worthingtons. Come, my lad, let’s move to a quieter spot to talk.

A hand so hard that it might have been forged of iron gripped Alexander’s arm and led him away from the bar to a dark corner table. The hand belonged to a monster of a man. He had masses of tangled hair, the reddish-brown color of mahogany wood, spilling about his shoulders. His features were sharp, chiseled from stone, regal, hungry looking. His golden eyes burned preternaturally bright from deep hollows. A long and recent scar ran from the corner of his left eye to his jaw, adding to the mystery of the man.

Have you always been a bampot or is this foolishness a recent affliction? the man growled low in Alexander’s ear.

Alexander stiffened. He had no knowledge of this face before him, yet the man dared speak as though they were old acquaintances. Alex asked in a deadly voice, Are you daft or do you think it’s smart to bait the tiger?

In a voice just as deadly, the stranger said, Flex your senses, Druid. I could have killed you already.

Alex started to reach with his senses then grabbed his forehead as his thoughts were suddenly cleaved in two by the power of the stranger’s mind. He couldn’t see, couldn’t catch his breath, and he fought against the oblivion of blackness that threatened to overtake him.

With a jovial laugh, the stranger wrapped a strong arm around his waist and pulled Alexander to his feet and led him toward the door, saying loudly, Come, my unsteady friend, a little fresh air before we sample the ale at the next pub.

Anyone watching would have seen two old friends, not quite sober, heading out on the town. As soon as they were out the door, the stranger straightened, not the least bit affected by any alcohol. He swept Alexander into his arms as though he weighed naught more than a slip of a girl, and raced into the night, faster than the eye could follow.

Chapter Two

Present Day Scotland

A giant, russet-colored wolf ran the perimeter of a small rocky island shrouded in fog off the west coast of Scotland. The island wasn’t located on any map and couldn’t be approached unless you were invited. Still, the lone wolf patrolled, searching for any indication the island had been breached. There was no sign of anyone other than those who were supposed to be there, so he turned and headed to the large white castle. He shifted back into his human form as he approached the main gate, and walked through the inner courtyard, savoring the peaceful evening. Faolan MacGailtry was as close to home as he could get, and it was still damn far away.

He scented Gabhran before he saw him. Faolan’s tawny eyes searched the broad expanse of the castle façade until he located his brother-in-law sitting on the low stone inner wall, clearly waiting to speak privately.

What’s wrong, Gabhran? he asked, his brogue caressing the old fashioned name, pronouncing it GAV-run.

Feeling a wee bit restless truth be told. I envy your ability to shift. I could use a good run, Gav smiled. Elena and Miranda are with Brigid, learning about herbs and tea leaves and such. I don’t believe they are happy with such sedentary skills. They both want to flex their magickal muscles, but Brigid says not until they deliver their bairn.

Faolan smiled. He knew his own wife, Elena, was powerful beyond anything he could imagine, yet she’d only had a taste of her magick before discovering she was pregnant, causing a delay in her training. Gabhran’s wife, Miranda—Randi—had been a police detective in New Orleans, and had come from a family steeped in voodoo. When she was inadvertently swept back through time to fourteenth century Scotland, she discovered her real strength was as the daughter of the most powerful witch alive. Neither woman had previously been aware of her power, nor as yet been able to test their limits. Brigid was Faolan’s mother, and a highly skilled Druid in her own right. She forbade extensive use of magick while the two women were pregnant. Neither man was anxious to get in the middle of those arguments and left the women to work it out.

With a sigh, Gabhran continued, Faolan, I’ve been thinking. When Ian and I were sent as lads to train with the Gailtry Druids, the castle was an enormous walled enclosure, impenetrable by conventional forces. We began our training at the castle when we were both lads of fifteen, with your great grandfather or uncles, or great whatever they were.

Goddamn, our histories are muddled, Faolan interrupted.

Aye, you’re right, they are muddled. Gabhran smiled. "So as part of our Druid training, as a test, there were times when either Ian or I would be blindfolded and walked to a room we’d ne’er visited before. We could only remove our blindfolds after a time, and then the room would always appear locked or as a cell without any visible egress. It was up to us to use our senses and our spells to find the way out. It was all part of our Druid training.

"Sorry. There is a point to this story." Gav grinned.

Faolan snorted his amusement. Three hundred years ago, his father’s murder and a family curse had prevented any Druid from training under the Gailtry name, including Faolan himself. This insight to Gav and Ian’s apprenticeship was a window into his own heritage and he quite enjoyed listening to Gav’s reminisces.

Anyway, my point is, the castle was far larger than any I’d e’er visited or even seen. It contained many secrets. I remember there were hundreds of rooms and passages, great hidden shelves of books and maps. The land was surrounded by protective wards, and none could enter without permission of the Gailtry. I canna imagine any circumstances that would have destroyed such a stronghold so completely, destroyed nearly your entire clan. Gav brushed his hand over his recently healed cheek.

"Last month, when Elena, Lissa, and I were caught in that hellish inferno inside the farmhouse, I realized it stood in just a wee portion of the footprint of your clan’s castle. Those memories of my training…that magick we would use in the locked rooms, well, ‘tis how we escaped the fire. I saw the hidden passage, just as I learned to see them when I was young."

Faolan’s eyes sharpened. What are you saying, Gav, do you think there might be more passages underground?

Aye, I do think there is more for us to discover in the underground passages, but more than that, I think we’re missing something about the land. I think we need to know what happened to your family, we need to know as much as we can about our Druid forebears. Someone has been trying to get rid of our clans for a very long time, and after what we’ve seen, I think it’s safe to say that they still seek to destroy us. We must discover if it’s related to this Epoch of Druidry that Brigid has foretold, or if it’s something else. We need to go back to your land.

Faolan turned his back and stared out at the courtyard, thinking about what they would find if they returned to the scorched land that had once been his home. He’d never known it as anything other than a simple farm. It was hard to imagine it as a large castle filled with his relatives. What in the hell had happened?

Faolan was certain Worthington had been behind this latest attack. Both Elena and Gav had sensed him outside the property just before the night exploded, and they had barely escaped with their lives.

Well, most of them had escaped. Two of them hadna escaped at all, and Faolan’s heart was still heavy with grief at his loss. Lilly and Red had been like his own parents, and they had been killed in the fire that wiped out what was left of the Gailtry Farms. It made him determined to work with Gabhran to find who was after them, who might even now still try to kill his wife.

Aye, Gav, let us return. We can stay at my townhouse in Beauly, I’m sure Worthington doesn’t know about it. Earnan and Brigid can stay here on the island with the women. I think we should bring Ian along, since he will also have memories of the castle.

I agree. I want to see if I can find more of the old underground passages, and Ian can help. Let’s go back, and under the guise of clearing the land, we can look for more traces of the original castle.

Faolan shook his head. ’Tis strange to think that you were there hundreds of years before I was born. Then Faolan grinned wickedly. I’ve never known someone so much older than me. Are you sure you can keep up?

Gabhran threw his head back and roared with laughter. The sound was a whisky-rich baritone that echoed through the night, and it always caused all who heard it to smile.

I hate to tell you this, Faolan MacGailtry, but my sister, your wife, is only younger than me by three minutes, and it seems to me a young pup like you might be the one having a hard time keeping up.

****

Ian stood, his hand outstretched to Lissa. Come, lass, let me accompany you to your room. You look as though you could use a good night’s rest.

Alysone took Ian’s hand and let him pull her to her feet. At seven months pregnant, her size had become a factor in how she moved. A strong hand to pull her from the low couch was most welcome. Thank you, Ian, I could use a good night’s rest. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.

Ian tucked her hand around his arm and walked her slowly toward the stairs. I know you miss Alex, lass. ’Tis natural. I’ll be happy to listen should you wish to talk about him.

Lissa continued as they walked, It’s just so hard to believe he’s gone. You know the last time when everyone thought he was dead, I knew in my heart he was still alive somewhere. I could feel him. I can’t feel him this time. I fear he is lost forever to me, now.

Standing just outside her bedroom door, Lissa cried softly, and Ian gathered her in his arms, offering the comfort of his strength.

Lissa wiped her tears and invited Ian into her room, and he helped her onto the bed and propped some pillows behind her back, before taking a seat next to the bed. Lissa was content to listen as Ian relived some of their shared childhood memories, for both she and Ian had grown up for a time on the MacLachlan lands, more than seven hundred years in the past. The prophecy of the Epoch of Druidry was bringing a great number of people to this time to fight on the side of the light.

I’m sorry, Ian, I’m all right. You don’t have to sit here and entertain me, Lissa said, when she realized an hour had passed. It was getting late, and she was thirsty and hungry. She thought she would make one more trek to the kitchen and then turn in for the night.

As she started to rise from the bed, Ian stood, and again offered his hand. Do you need help up, Lissa?

No, I’m just going to get a glass of water and a small snack before I sleep. Care to join me?

Aye, but you wait here, get yourself ready for bed. I’ll go fetch your snack and be right back. He left the room quickly before she could protest.

With a smile, Lissa slipped on her nightgown, then climbed back up onto her four-poster bed and brushed her hair while she waited.

Lissa laughed delightedly when she saw how much food Ian had brought back. He climbed on the bed and placed the tray between them. In addition to the requested glass of water, he’d brought a warm glass of milk, crackers, cheese, strawberries, chocolate ice cream, and a pickle. You must be hungry, Ian, there is no way I could eat all of that.

Sheepishly, he grinned, then with a little twitch of his eyebrows, he said, Well, one of us needs to eat for two. Might as well be me if you canna keep up. Now what will it be, lass?

Lissa selected the ice cream and surreptitiously looked at Ian over the rim of her bowl while she ate. Ian and Alex could not be much different in looks. Alex was dark, with black hair and flashing black eyes. Ian was fair, his sun-streaked hair spilling around his shoulders to his waist, his warm brown eyes full of laughter. Both powerful men, strong Druids. Men who were good to the very bottom of their souls. Alex lost to the past, Ian here in her present. She suddenly felt very tired.

Sensing the shift in her mood, Ian returned her bowl to the tray and set the glass of water on the nightstand. You are tired now, lass, turn around, let me brush your hair a wee bit, then I’ll be tucking you in. You’ll sleep well tonight, he said with a calm assurance Lissa found comforting.

He took the brush where she’d dropped it on the bed, and gently ran it through her light blond hair, a few strokes top to bottom, a few more from underneath, then he set the brush on the nightstand and stood to go.

He pulled her covers up, while she scooted underneath. Good night, Lissa, just call out should you need anything. I am only across the hall, you know.

Good night, Ian, see you in the morning, she murmured sleepily, and she turned her face up for a good night kiss.

****

Gav stood in the darkened hallway, arms folded across his chest, considering his options. The whisper of voices coming from Lissa’s room had a slow burn of anger rising like bile in the back of his throat. The door opened and Ian backed out. Aye, lass. We shall see each other on the morrow. Ian’s whisper was quiet, as if he was speaking to himself. After closing the door with a soft snick, Ian turned, but stopped short when Gav stepped forward and grabbed his arm.

Ian didn’t protest as Gav led him down the stairs to the study. Neither man said a word until they were alone with the door closed and two whiskies poured. Aware of the tension that lay in the air between them, Gav lost himself for a moment in thought.

Expelling a giant sigh, Gav looked at his best friend and asked, What the fuck do you think you’re doing with Lissa?

Gav, you know I have long cared for the lass, but I give you my word there is naught between us save what there has always been. We are friends.

You damn well better make sure that’s all it is, you know bloody damn well that is Alexander’s baby she’s carrying, Gabhran said loudly, shifting his shoulders, balling his fists.

Ian exploded. "Aye, I know bloody fucking well ‘tis Alexander’s babe. Think you I don’t know