Lured to the Night (The Brotherhood 4)

Lachlan straightened. “But you would not change it? You do not regret your decision?”

“Oh, no,” she said her countenance brightening. “But, in the end, all that truly mattered was that we could be together.”

Lachlan glanced at Isla. Her golden locks appeared knotted and straggly. Her soft lips were dry and flaky, still tinged red with blood. Just a few hours earlier her face had shone with pleasure, the brilliance of it all almost blinding. Now, her mouth was drawn thin. The dark circles under her eyes made her appear gaunt — a shadow of her former self.

Even so, he found her just as captivating, just as beautiful.

He should have told her that the affliction did not matter to him. Perhaps then she would have chosen to live with the condition. When the time came to leave her home, he could have taken her further north, found an isolated cabin where they’d spend the rest of their days together.

But then he remembered that he would grow old, and she would be forever young.

“Isla wants you to know that she loves you.” Ivana’s words disturbed his reverie. “She will always love you.” She paused. “Am I right to assume that Nikolai saw fit to come between you?”

He closed his eyes briefly, trying to imagine the endearing words falling from Isla’s lips. “Nikolai ruined my life. He ruined everything.” Three years of bitterness and resentment infused his tone.

“You know she had no choice but to marry him. When Nikolai wanted something he took it without questioning his right to do so.”

“I should have tried to stop him.” Knowing he was weak enough to be compelled by a devil did not sit well with him.

Ivana’s eyes flashed with pity. “There is nothing you could have done. Nikolai would have killed you. Of that I am certain.”

Frustration turned to anger.

“I should like to thank the man who put an end to his life.” Lachlan clenched his teeth so hard his jaw ached. “I would bow down before him and swear my undying loyalty.”

A faint smile touched Ivana’s lips. “Then you are in luck. The man you speak of is currently eating boiled ham and eggs with Malmuirie in the kitchen.”

Lachlan jerked his head back. “Your … your coachman killed Nikolai?”

“He did. And what a marvellous sight it was.”

Various images flitted through his mind: an iron spear stabbing at Nikolai’s heart; a steel sword slicing his neck. “Whilst your coachman is a burly fellow, it must have taken more than brute strength to bring the blackguard down.”

“The element of surprise is often the most deadly weapon in one’s arsenal. In Nikolai’s bid for supremacy, he underestimated the power of loyalty. ”

Isla’s sudden heart-wrenching groan captured their attention.

Lachlan took her hand and held it tight. “Shush. All will be well,” he said wincing at the sound.

Ivana bent her head, raised Isla’s top lip and touched her gum. With a huge sigh of relief, she shot up, held out her hand to reveal the small white fang sitting in her palm. “It is good news, Lachlan.”

“Has that fallen from her mouth?” He narrowed his gaze as he examined the strange object.

Ivana nodded. “All those who have taken the cure have gone through a similar process.” She placed the tooth on the side table next to the bed before inspecting the condition of the other fang. It too came away in her hand. “It will not be long now. The loss of her teeth is a sure sign all is well.”

An hour passed.

The shrill cries finally ceased. Isla’s breathing slowed. Fearing the worst, Lachlan put his hand on her chest, relief flooding his body upon feeling the soft rise and fall beneath his palm. Her lids fluttered; she mumbled his name. Her face was much cooler to the touch but still he wiped her brow.

Time slowed. He sat next to the bed, opposite Ivana. They spoke about Isla’s problems with the villagers, how most crimes amount to either jealousy or greed.

Another hour passed.

Isla muttered incoherently for a minute or so. “Come back … come back to me,” were the first words that made any sense to him. Muscles spasmed randomly: her arm jolted; her leg twitched. She shuddered.

Overwhelmed with the need to let her know he was there, he bent his head and gently touched his lips to hers. At first, he thought he imagined her weak response. But as he pulled away, she sucked in a breath and opened her eyes a fraction.

“Isla. Can you hear me?” He brushed the hair from her face, stared at her while he waited for another sign of life, of success.