First Thirst (Craving 1)

“Not good enough, child. Ye have no idea what has happened here in this castle…” She shook her head. “Well, then, in the end, ye’ll remember that I warned ye. I didn’t mean to scare ye, though, just keep ye alert. Davis said we should stay out of it. He said it wasn’t fair to frighten ye and put notions in yer head, and perhaps he is in the right of it, but…ye are such a chipper young thing, and I wouldn’t want to see ye hurt.”

I sank into myself. Had their initial aloofness been triggered by concern for my situation? How dear that was. “How kind. Thank you. I won’t forget this, Mrs. Tunny, and if I find anything amiss at night, I will revisit the subject of my living arrangements with Mr. Ascot.” I patted her hand. (I am also a toucher). “When we spoke about my contract, he did make it clear that one of the requirements was that I take up residence here at MacLeod, but I am certain if anything wasn’t quite right, he would totally understand if I wanted to live elsewhere…especially since he didn’t mention that I would be alone here in this enormous place.”

Her lips already tightly set got tighter. She said, “I’m thinking his loyalties lie elsewhere, seeing as his relationship to the present Lord MacLeod, who no one has seen in over twenty years, is a bond of…well, never mind. Ye just watch yerself.”

Apparently, that was all she meant to say on the subject because with that, she turned sharply and marched out of my room.

She left me in deep thought. Mr. Ascot and the present lord had a bond? Well, they must be friends then after all. The two must be nearly the same age—probably near fifty, no doubt?

Well, this was all really interesting, but I had better hurry and freshen up.

I turned to my opened suitcases where they lay on the bed and picked out a simple outfit that would be both personable and business-like for my first meeting with my new boss. I changed my mind and picked out another outfit, something I could wear for a quick dash about the grounds and the lower levels of the house after our meeting. Right, black and white silk sweater with fitted sleeves, black jeans, and my ankle high, black hiking boots. I pulled out a denim jacket as well, even in late spring it was cool in the Highlands.

I hurriedly threw off the clothes that had served my travel and made a mental note to find out if we had a washing machine and dryer on the premises.

I gave myself a quick whore’s bath over the sink, dried myself off, a spritz of perfume and a brush through my tangled hair left it shining. I hesitated with my hair. Should I put it up or leave it long for this business meeting?

I left my hair down and threw on my clothes and pulled on my boots, thinking I probably should change my socks, but didn’t.

Catching my breath through this whirlwind, I stopped and stared at myself i

n the long mirror on the bathroom door. I turned this way and that. My black jeans were low waisted, so I inspected my rear…no skin showing. Good. Couldn’t do anything about the size of my breasts, they were large, and even with my denim blazer on, they weren’t easy to hide. I didn’t want to give any wrong impressions. Right. I took my five foot five self out of the bathroom and headed for the door, and stopped to the sound of a faraway voice calling my name. What the hell?

~ Three ~

Devin

I COULDNAE TAKE M’EYES off the lass. I watched her get out of the limo and something moved inside of me. I dinnae know what or why, but she intrigued me.

This witch was remarkable in every single way.

Aye, she might be the answer to m’problems, but the affect she had on m’system, on m’body, told me, here was trouble.

Her magic was stronger than anything I have ever seen. It glowed gold all around her. Gold particles sparkled off her creamy cheeks and the glitter of her violet eyes was mesmerizing. Such eyes. Never have I seen their like.

And then it happened, the thirst.

I have nae felt such a thirst in years.

Here in my banished realm—Trinity, I have all the nourishment I need. This realm is made up of many parts and here in its jungle are animals enough. I dinnae kill. I take what I need, only what I need.

Bloody hell, but her scent wafted over me as she passed within inches of me. How can this be? I haven’t been able to touch or smell anything on the other side…in twenty-two years. How is this possible? And her blood…I can feel its pulse and it pinches m’thirst.

I can see everything on the other side of my present world, but I can’t smell or touch anything in the Human Realm, which I nae longer inhabit. Was this her magic getting through?

I studied her, this unusual lass, this Roberta Skye.

She was, och aye, quite a ravishing creature and I couldna take m’eyes off her lips, lush and rosy, pursed as she allowed her thoughts to take her expressions. I watched her as she entered the Keep.

I followed her, listened to her, och aye, but the sound of her voice shimmered in m’mind. I watched her mannerisms, light and quixotic, and when she came close to the invisible wall between this realm and hers, I felt desire so deep I took a step back.

What was happening? Over the years, I have the curse and the blessing of being able to look on m’castle and immediate grounds here from the jungle of Trinity.

The jungle holds the wall between our two worlds, but never before have I been able to pick up on the scent of someone in the human world.

I watched as Bobbie Skye tried to win a smile from Davis and then Mrs. Tunny. They didn’t want her there. They both made that fact obvious, but it did nae deter her.

And it occurred to me that I brought this young lass into danger…what have I done? Damn, bloody damn, but I hated Allora.