Aye, I was so full with the need for revenge and couldna waver from m’purpose. M’last attempt came very close to killing her.
It was then, in that moment, I finally saw the sudden fear in her eyes. In that moment, she realized I would never give up and that she would have to constantly look over her shoulder. It was that last time when I saw she understood in the end, I would destroy her.
Because I know her. Because she is a survivor, I should have expected something. I should have known she would decide to strike back.
I should have seen it coming. I dinnae.
I knew she nae longer wanted me. I knew she nae longer was even remotely attracted to me. I had seen the look in her cold, amber lit eyes. Only hate remained…and a measure of fear.
That last time, I had come close to beating her at her own game. I became cocky—too cocky with the realization that I was skilled enough to accomplish m’goal.
She knew one day when she least expected it, I would be there.
Why hadna I expected a preemptive retaliation from her?
It was some months after m’last attempt on Allora’s life that I sat at m’desk, planning m’next attack. I thought she was settled for a time in Venice where a number of ancients reside. She is an outcast. They regard her as a liability, but she likes to remain on the edges of their circle. Now and then, they throw her a bone, and invite her to one of their balls. In return, she does their dirty work from time to time.
I know the city well. I was working out a way to corner her in a place she wouldna be able to escape…while she was sleeping during the day.
I had forgotten that she could now enter MacLeod at will.
I looked up from m’desk in the library and there she stood, but…she was nae alone.
M’first thought was, run!
Och aye, a man’s pride is often his downfall.
Pride beat the notion of running out of me, even though logic said it was the only way I would survive this encounter with Allora. She had come at me on her terms, nae mine!
Instead of running, I stood and said, “Get out of m’home, ye evil bitch.”
That was stupid, I know. I knew as soon as the words were out it was stupid bravado. Every instinct told me I still had a chance if I would only use m’vampire speed and outrun the night.
She was nae, could never be, a day-walker. If I could outrun her in the dark, which I knew I could, I would be ready for her tomorrow night.
That damn pride wouldna let me move.
I took a moment to study the lovely lass standing unhappily at Allora’s side. Allora had her hand around the woman’s throat.
I realized at once, as the aura of her magic encasing her glowed brightly, that she was a powerful witch. I sensed she wasn’t with Allora by choice.
Allora had the witch in her clutches somehow. Och aye, but I knew in that moment I was in serious trouble. I could feel the witch’s power radiate between us. All her energy was focused on me. In the witch’s lovely eyes, I saw her beg m’pardon.
Aye then, it was confirmed, nae here by choice.
M’darlin’ Sarah was a witch, not as powerful as this lass, but I was familiar now with the glow a White Witch radiates. This one was a Witch of the Light, aye, but the mana burning around her was strong, so strong. She wouldna kill me. She wouldna kill. I was sure of it. Why then had Allora brought her here?
Time dinnae stand still. Time moved swiftly and laid me low.
Even as I planned m’next move, everything went to hell.
In the flash of a moment, m’damned bloody world once again turned upside down. Ye think I would have seen it coming. Ye think I would have learned by then.
The witch beside Allora said a few words in a language I didn’t recognize and the next thing I knew, I was staring at Allora and the witch through a transparent wall. Some kind of clear shield allowed me to look through at them…but I was nae longer in the human world. I was in another realm altogether.
I looked around and saw I was standing in a jungle of sorts. Ruins soared into the sky at quite a distance. It looked like a temple of sorts. Rolling hills rose into a mist miles away.
Where was I?