Highland Secrets (Cree & Dawn)

Once outside the door, he stopped her and whispered, “I will promise you this, though, you might not know when or where, but I will pleasure you soon.”

Passion raced like a shiver through her body, and she smiled, looking forward to the unknown rendezvous.

CHAPTER 7

“Lord Cree,” Newlin called out when Cree and Dawn entered the Great Hall. “There is someone here you must meet.”

Dawn took stock of the man standing next to Newlin as she approached with Cree. His bald head was made shiny by the fire’s light and was in stark contrast to his full, dark, bushy beard. He was of good height, though nowhere near the height of Cree, and possessed a thick body with more muscle than fat. The seriousness in his dark eyes and the tight set of his mouth and jaw made it clear he was not a man who smiled often, if at all.

“Lord Cree, this is Lord Ivan of the Clan MacVannan. He has brought disturbing news,” Newlin said.

“I have little time to spare,” Lord Ivan said, looking directly at Cree as if admonishing him for keeping him waiting.

“Then you should have left the news with Newlin and been on your way,” Cree said, returning the man’s rebuke.

Anger sparked in Lord Ivan’s eyes and Newlin was quick to see it and speak up before any altercation could take place between the two powerful men.

“Lord Ivan hunts the dark-cloaked figure seen in the woods,” Newlin said.

Lord Ivan went on to explain. “Several dead animals have been found on my land, cut open and their entrails removed. Newlin tells me of a man found on his land with his heart cut out. A demon roams the woods and I intend to find him and see him burned at the stake.”

Dawn gestured to her husband, finishing with a shrug.

“Good question,” Cree said and looked to Lord Ivan. “My wife wants to know if burning at the stake would be a fit punishment for a demon accustomed to the fires of hell?”

Lord Ivan’s cheeks stung red, and his eyes seemed to bulge from his head with anger.

“A warning, Lord Ivan,” Cree cautioned, “I do not take lightly to any callous remarks made to or about my wife. Dawn made a point, a logical point, so I would advise you to rethink the punishment you intend to serve on the cloaked figure when you catch him.”

“And I will catch him,” Lord Ivan spat, angry spittle flying from his mouth.

“Let us hope so,” Cree said.

Lord Ivan glared at him. “You doubt my ability?”

“Have you ever captured a demon?” Cree asked.

For a moment, Lord Ivan looked bewildered, then he shook his head. “What does that matter? I am a skilled warrior that is all that matters.”

“Demons are powerful creatures. They do not fight like men do—they have the devil to help them,” Cree reminded.

“Lord Ivan is a superior warrior with superior skills,” Newlin said, emphasizing the compliment Ivan had served on himself. “I am sure the demon will not stand a chance against him.”

“You are right, Newlin,” Lord Ivan said, his chest expanding in confidence. “I will bring an end to this demon, and it will save you from losing any more clansmen.” He cast a sneer at Cree. “I have wasted enough time. I must be on my way.” He turned to Newlin. “I will let you know when the demon is caught.”

Cree kept a steady eye on Ivan as he left the room, the wood floorboards creaking in protest of his heavy footfalls. As soon as the door closed behind him, Cree turned to Newlin. “We need to catch that dark-cloaked figure before Lord Ivan does.”

Newlin looked puzzled. “Why?”

“That man will kill the person on sight and if he is the one who took your clansmen we will never know or find any who may still be alive,” Cree explained.

“But it would be wise to kill the demon on sight before he can release his evil upon Lord Ivan and his men,” Newlin argued.

“And what if this demon is nothing more than a person in a dark cloak. How will we ever know if he has anything to do with your missing clansmen?”

Newlin continued to argue. “With the hearts cut out and worse, who else would it be but a demon?”

“You asked for my help, Newlin, which means you will do as I say. We hunt for the cloaked figure,” Cree ordered with an authority that left no room for debate. “How well do you know Lord Ivan?”

“Not well at all,” Newlin confessed. “He arrived not long after Lord Bennett’s death about six months ago with documents that showed he was Lord Bennet’s nephew and sole heir to the clan. He had offered marriage to Tavia, which I had no intention of agreeing to, but when he met her and saw that she limped, he rescinded his offer to my relief.”