Castle Lochwind The Savage Bloodline - The Shifters

By Debra Rudolph

Joshua Savage, a successful American businessman, suddenly finds himself the sole heir of an ancient Scottish estate of medieval beauty, Castle Lochwind. Throwing caution to the wind, Joshua decides to move to Scotland and embark on his new lifestyle. So much has happened in the fifteen years since the immortal sorceress Lybr'anna left their baby, Aaron, with Josh to raise as a mortal child. The now teenager has discovered an ancient alchemy room hidden in the old tunnel that leads to the barn, starting a chain of events that would unleash vile creatures of ancient origin. Forbidden by Josh, a paranormal group, during Josh's grand Halloween Party, sneaks onto Castle Lochwind property and ventures deep within the graveyard and frees a dangerous and unimaginable shifter with titanic powers and an immense hatred for the lord of Castle Lockwind. From the farthest corners of his estate to the darkest depths of the castle, Josh is accosted by an immortal villain that he had never imagined could exist. Joshua and his friends must rid Castle Lochwind, once again, of a beast that would have its revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781642982145

Book preview

I

The night’s mist receded as Scotland embraced the rising sun, filling Joshua’s soul with a promise of new beginnings. His heart reeled at the plethora of possibilities whose tentacles were irrefutably wrapped in ancient truths.

Lybr’anna entrusted Joshua with their son and returned to her home deep beneath the Artisans Abbey.

Joshua watched Lybr’anna drive away with mixed feelings. How could she leave them? But he knew the answer. He walked out onto the castle’s south lawn, taking in the fresh morning air. He talked to the small child in his arms, of small things with large meanings. Well, little man, this is your home. I don’t know much about taking care of babies, but I guess I’m just going to have to learn! Right? He smiled down at his son. Your mother has an interesting existence, which one day I’ll explain to you … but for now, all you need to know is that she loves you! And that’s why you’re here!

He continued to walk the grounds, holding the sleeping child, trying to explain life. Soon he was at the south entrance making promises to his son and to himself. Having come to some small terms with his new situation, he entered the castle.

Everyone was in the Great Hall catching up on the past eight months. Graham and Colin were telling Bill and Cath about all the calamities they had experienced while moving Margaret McBride’s cottage onto Graham’s land. Josh heard their laughter, echoing through the Great Hall, as he walked in.

A hush came over the group. Josh crossed the Hall and stood in front of the hearth. The bundle in his arms held everyone silent. Josh smiled and announced, I’d like all of you to meet … my son.

No one knew what to do except, of course, Graham. Graham stood and approached Joshua. The elderly manservant gently pulled aside a corner of the blanket and looked upon the sleeping child. Moving the back of his finger along the baby’s tiny cheek, Graham asked, Can I assume that the fairies didn’a knock on the front door and give yu the child?

Josh chuckled, Yeah, but they might as well have! Lybr’anna says he’s mortal.

Cath jumped up, Lybr’anna? Where is she?

Josh replied, She left. She couldn’t stay. Cath saw the look of hurt on Josh’s face.

She tactfully added, Oh, that’s a shame. I would have liked to have said hi. She went to Josh and asked if she could hold his son. Of course, Josh let them all have a turn holding the baby.

But Colin, like any teenage boy, forfeited his turn and was happy to just look over everyone’s shoulder. Then he casually asked, What ’tis his name?

Everyone looked at Josh. Puzzlement spread over his face. I have no idea!

You mean Lybr’anna didn’t tell you his name? Cath asked.

No! Josh exclaimed.

Well, I think you have a predicament on your hands, Josh. If she hasn’t named the child, then we can assume she didn’t give birth in a hospital. Therefore, there is no documentation of his birth. You are going to have to do something about that! stated Cath.

Graham spoke up, I’ll call Dr. Brian. He will know what to do.

Cath added, smiling down at the child, And he can give you a checkup. Without missing a beat, and with great pleasure, Cath added, "And then Dr. Brian can teach Daddy all about taking care of you!"

Josh’s legs threatened to give out on him. They all smiled while the full force of the situation hit Josh. Cath actually felt sorry for him. She walked over and gave him a hug. Don’t worry, Daddy. I’ll help you get started. She looked up at Josh and realized just how much like a brother he had become. Josh gave her a big bear hug and whispered in her ear, Thanks, Cath. What would I do without you?

She whispered back, Be up to you ass in dirty diapers, no doubt!

Between Dr. Brian, Cath, Margaret, Mary O’Flannigan, and her daughters, Julia and Carla, Josh had all the help he needed!

He named his son Aaron Graham Savage. Josh soon hired Julia as Aaron’s nanny. She had been helping her mother, Mary, care for the castle since Josh had moved in last year, and he trusted the girl. She was taking child care courses at a small college three nights a week, but other than that, she lived at the castle and cared for the child. Josh paid for her schooling as part of their agreement.

Cath and Bill visited from the States often. Graham married Margaret (as they should have seventeen years ago) and retired to her little cottage they had moved to his land on the castle grounds. Colin took his father’s place in the castle but acted more like a big brother to Aaron than a gentleman’s gentleman. He and Julia grew close and soon married.

The next fifteen years were the most precious years of Joshua’s life.

II

Josh had transformed the castle’s office into a photography studio. He was busy developing photographs in the darkroom just off from its small bathroom. Colin was straightening the studio when the phone rang. He answered it saying, Lochwind, Colin speaking.

Auch, Colin! Dr. Brian here. By chance is Joshua handy?

Just a moment, Dr. Brian. I’ll see if he can come to the phone. Brian waited while Colin walked across the room and entered the bathroom. He then pressed the darkroom’s intercom button, Sir, Dr. Brian ’tis on the phone. Would you like me to take a message?

Josh removed his rubber gloves and went over to the intercom. That’s okay, Colin. I’ll take it in here.

Colin resumed his cleaning as Josh picked up the extension. Brian! What’s up?

Josh, you’re voice sounds like you’re in a cave! You must be developin’ pictures again in that cubbyhole you call a darkroom! Brian teased.

Yea, some really great stuff too! Especially the one of you with Prince Alba! Now that one’s prize winning! Josh teased back.

Indeed … remind me to steal the negative! Brian joked.

Josh laughed, Well, besides blackmail … what can I do for you?

Nothin’ really. Just wondered if you would be up for a little company tonight? Maybe play some chess?

Sounds great! What time? Josh responded.

I have to do me rounds after supper, but I can be at Lochwind around eight. If tha’ ’tis acceptable wit’ you, milord? Brian smiled.

Cut that shit out, Brian! Eight’s fine. See you then. Josh laughed. He hung up the phone and slipped back on his gloves. Pulling the black and white prints out of the wash, he hung them one by one on the drying line. He turned off the safely light and exited the tiny room, not noticing the strange abnormality that was developing in one of the pictures. The anomaly continued to develop secretly … in the darkness.

III

Bill Dorsey was on his way home from work when he remembered that he was supposed to stop and get cat food for Jinx. The old feline was nearly sixteen years old but still ate like a horse! When’s that damn cat going to die? Bill whispered affectionately as he turn the car around and headed for Henry’s Livery in town.

Bill was still impressed how well the Scotland branch of Savage Home Supplies Inc. was doing! They had moved to Scotland and opened the new branch about seven years ago and had never had a bad year yet!

He picked up a huge bag of cat food, and after some small talk with Henry, he headed home. When they had moved to Scotland, Josh had offered them land on the castle grounds, but Bill and Cath had refused. Instead, they purchased a few acres close enough to Castle Lochwind to be neighbors.

For the past seven years, Bill and Cath had played an active part in helping Josh raise Aaron. This also included spoiling him as if they were his actual aunt and uncle.

When Bill got home, he found Cath sitting on the couch staring at the snow globe Josh had given her as a Christmas present sixteen years ago. They had spent Christmas and New Years at Castle Lochwind, their first visit to Scotland, after Josh moved from the States. It had been a wonderful visit, aside from the little werewolf incident. But that has been nearly forgotten and lies dormant in the shadowy periphery of their minds.

As he approached her, he realized that something was wrong! She had tears in her eyes as she looked up at him. He quickly dropped his briefcase and rushed to her side. Cath! What’s wrong? Hon?

She pointed to the snow globe and whispered, I … I … saw something!

Bill, not realizing that she was pointing at the globe, assumed she meant that she had seen something in the room. What was it, a mouse? He scanned the room to see if he could spot it.

Mysteriously, she said, "No, I mean, I saw something in the globe!"

Bill looked at the snow globe. You mean inside the globe? he asked, reaching for the object.

"No! Don’t pick it up!" Cath warned as she grabbed his hand.

Why not? It’s not going to bite me! he replied.

When he reached for the globe again, Cath girlishly slapped at his hand. No! Don’t touch it!

Hey! Bill giggled as he pulled back his hand. Okay, okay I won’t touch it! Geesh, you’re really spooked, aren’t you?

Yeah! And you’d be spooked if you saw what I just saw! she answered.

What, exactly, did you see?

Cath sighed nervously. She didn’t know how to tell him. I was dusting my collection and, for some reason, decided to pick up the globe, maybe wind it up and listen to it for a while. So I did! I was sitting right here on the couch listening to it …

* * *

She was sitting on the couch calmly listening to the snow globe play Silent Night, when her vision began to blur. Blinking, she tried to refocus on the tiny artificial snowflakes that were swirling around the miniature Castle Lochwind. The tiny village was hidden in the sudden blizzard that was mounting inside the globe! Then, as if in a time warp, her vision tunneled and zoomed in on the castle! But it didn’t stop there; her vision was pulled into the castle! It was actually more like her soul had been pulled out of her body and was being dragged through the miniature structure. She flew through the entry hall and into the library! Thankfully, she noticed the secret panel was already pulled back as she flew through the opening into the dark staircase that leads to the dungeon.

Through the blackness, she plunged! She felt herself move over the streambed that cut the dungeon in half and was heading for the ancient oak door. The same door that the beast had crashed through sixteen years ago! It too was now mysteriously standing open! She passed through the opening and into the fowl smelling tunnel. Remembering that this tunnel led to the stables, Why am I seeing this? And why am I being pulled toward the stables?

The tunnel snaked beneath the ground, avoiding huge boulders along its path. As she rounded a bend, she saw a small light in the distance. She drew closer to the light. Her heart pounded in her chest! At great speed, she advanced on the light and abruptly spirited into a small antechamber! So rollercoaster-like was this approach that she cringed, fearing a collision!

There before her was Aaron! Dressed in a dark cloak, he was chanted over a caldron. An ancient tome was cradled in one of his hands as he threw something into the fire with the other, making it forge. He then poured some substance into the bubble pot! Suddenly his voice became distracted. He slowly looked up from the book and scanned the room. He seemed to sense her presence. What Aaron was doing frightened her, but for some reason, it frightened her more that he might discover that she was spying on him! Tapping into an inner strength, she quickly drew back the way she had come! She soared up and out of the dungeon, through the castle, beyond the front doors, and into the plastic snowstorm! Blinking, she found herself back on the couch gazing into the globe!

* * *

Bill asked with interest, What happened next?

I put the damn thing down on the end table! she finished.

Bill whistled his amazement! Quite a daydream there, babe!

It wasn’t a daydream! she yelled and stomped off into the kitchen.

Damn! he murmured. He realized that he had just broken rule number one, which is, Don’t be an insensitive ass! He slowly got up from the couch and followed her into the kitchen.

IV

Dinner ’tis ready, Colin. Could you fetch Joshua and Samantha? I’m not sure of the whereabouts of Aaron, but you might try the dungeon. He has become obsessed with the damn place of late, Julia stated.

The dungeon? Wha’ the hell is he do’n down there? Colin questioned.

I couldn’a say, but if he’s been down there, make sure he washes up before com’n to dinner, she added.

Aye, to be sure. You set the table an’ I’ll round everyone up. Colin left the kitchen, making his way to the studio. Joshua was sitting at his desk, studying several photographs. Sir, dinner is ready.

Josh looked up, Yeah, okay, Colin. Thanks. I’ll be there in a few minutes.

Does Sir know where Aaron might be? Julia said he might be in the dungeon.

Josh gave Colin a double take. In the dungeon? That’s a weird place to hang out. What’s he doin’ down there?

Chuckling, Colin answered, You’re guess is as good as mine, sir. I’ll ask ’im if I find him there!

I think I’ll ask him myself. You go ahead and get Sammy. I’ll find Aaron.

As you wish, sir. Colin went upstairs to the second floor’s west wing to get Samantha. The east and west wing of the castle extended from the entry hall’s balcony area. Joshua’s bedroom was along the east balcony hallway. Graham’s old bedroom, the last in the east wing’s hall, was kept ready for him and Margaret, on the rare occasion that they stayed at the castle. Colin and Julia’s room was next to Graham’s and then the, now unused, nursery. Aaron and Samantha’s rooms were in the west wing. Colin had to go past the Old Keep’s wall and the bathroom to reach Samantha’s room.

Just as he was about to knock on her door, he looked down to the end of the hall toward Aaron’s room. He whispered to himself, Maybe I should see if Aaron is in his room, just in case. He knocked heavily on Aaron’s door. Aaron! Are you in there, lad? It was possible Aaron had his earphones on listening to music and couldn’t hear. Receiving no answer, he let himself into the room. Scanning the room, he saw that Aaron wasn’t there. Colin sighed, Me and tha’ lad are go’n to have a heart to heart about the condition of this room, to be sure!

Leaving Aaron’s room, Colin went to Samantha’s. First knocking on the door, Colin entered his daughter’s room. Like any ten-year-old girl, she was at her vanity painting her nails. Whew! What ’tis tha’ smell? Are you playing wit’ petrol, lass? Colin exclaimed.

Samantha jumped at her father’s voice, smearing her nails. Oh now, Da! Look wha’ you’ve made me go’n do! she complained.

Colin walked over to Samantha as she tossed her fiery red hair back from her face. An’ jus’ wha’, exactly, have I made you do, sweetheart?

You made me mess up me nails, you have! She then froze, realizing that her father didn’t take kindly to her, as he put it, Painting herself all up like a porcelain doll! Unnatural, to be sure! She quickly tried to hide the polish.

Mess up your nails? Did I hear you right, girl? Colin protested as he stopped beside her.

Oh, Da! I was just play’n. I wouldn’a step one foot out of this room wit’ this nasty stuff on me nails! she lied playfully.

Colin hid a smile, Of course you wouldn’a! Reaching down he picked up her mother’s polish and pocketed it. Dinner ’tis ready. Wash up and come on down, he said as he patted her head. Her hair was done too. She had curled her long hair into spiraling locks that seemed to be ablaze with the setting sunlight coming through her westward window. She was growing up way too fast for him! When she stood, he saw that she had on a pair of shorts and a tank top, revealing that her child-like body wasn’t going to stay that way much longer. An’ put some cloths on to! he barked as he left her room.

Rolling her eyes, she stomped over to her closet.

* * *

Josh went to the library and pulled on the book entitled, Man Made Eden. As the secret panel opened, a chill ran up his spine. He hadn’t felt a chill like that in a very long time! Flashes of the beast ripped through his mind! He shook his head to free himself of the memories. As he descended the dark stairs, he called out, Aaron! You down here?

Reaching to the bottom, he felt for the torch and the pack of matches he had always kept there ever since. Striking a match, he lit the torch and lifted it from its stay. The torch’s flame flickered, making light dance across the damp stones. Aaron! If you’re down here, you better answer me! Josh never came down to the dungeon, not since that time, sixteen years ago when he had to fix the old oak door. Seeing how the thick wood had been pulverized by the savage strength of the beast and what Cath and Bill must have gone through down here, he swore he would never come down here again. It wasn’t a hard promise to keep!

Aaron! I swear, if I find out that you’re down here and not answering me, I’m gonna tan your …

The sound made by the old repaired door slowly opening cut off Josh’s words. His heart jumped into his throat! Josh spun, squaring his body to the door. The torchlight was being mirrored in the water of the streambed. Flickering, the light made the movement of the door seem like an old movie! Frame by frame, Josh watched the scene unfold!

As the door opened, it revealed the dark abyss beyond. But blackness, even darker than that of the tunnel itself, was moving forward out of the opening. Josh stood grounded in place by fear. His chest heaved in the effort to breath. Then his fear mounted, Aaron! his mind screamed! Where was his son! He had to find Aaron! If the beast was back, and Aaron was down here …

Aaron! Josh screamed!

Aaron was about to close the old oak door when he heard his father scream his name! Startled, he dropped his ancient book with an involuntary scream, which came out more girlish than he would have liked!

Josh heard his son’s startled scream and jumped the wide streambed in one leap, running toward the old door from where it had come! Fearing the beast had his son, Josh was wild with adrenaline! As he reached the door, he grabbed Aaron and tossed him aside. Aaron stumbled to the floor and skidded across the rough stones. Josh threw the heavy door wide open and stood in the cold dark opening, waiting for the inevitable! It didn’t come. Seconds ticked by, and Josh’s breathing calmed. He chanced a glance in Aaron’s direction. Aaron lay on the floor,