He turned, and started for his horse which was tethered nearby, when a voice in the darkness halted him.
“You think you are so superior with your Scottish title and your never ending funds!” David slurred his words as he staggered toward him.
“Ye are in yer cups man. I doona fight when a man can’t hold his own,” Hunter said, not really meaning to taunt.
Apparently, David took it as a taunt. “Damn your soul! I can hold my own and mean to.” He pulled out a gun and swayed as he pointed it.
Hunter sighed. “What do ye want Horwich?”
“Her! I want her. She has her eyes filled with you right now, but if you leave, she will turn to me!”
“So ye are asking me to leave?”
“Telling you to leave.”
“Sorry, but I doona think I can. If and when I do, I canna leave her here with ye. That is the long and the short of it. Doona try warning me off, it won’t work. Another thing, David of Horwich, leave the lass alone. She is her own person and when she is ready, she’ll do her own choosing. That is what she deserves, not two men fighting over her like this. I canna do it and ye shouldn’t.”
“I am not going to fight you. I am going to kill you,” David said and took his shot.
Hunter had to do something, and all at once he knew just what to do. He yelped in pain and said, “Ye have shot me, ye fool!”
The sound of gunfire brought various seamen out of the shadows, and one shouted, “Who goes there? What are ye about?”
“Ye best run, David Horwich. Shall I turn ye over to the magistrate?”
David was off balance from drink, but he understood. He turned and ran as fast as his wobbly legs would take him.
Hunter smiled to himself and straightened up as seamen approached. He waved them off. “Only grazed…naught…I’m fine. Go on aboot yer business.”
A moment later he was on his horse and trotting out of town. Now, he had something to keep David in his place. He would visit Horwich House in the morning and handle it with David’s father. He had to do something before the 18th of June which is when he had to use his magic to shift to Waterloo and save his brother.
When Baudali was destroyed, and his brother safe, he would return and take his woman by the hand to his castle in Scotland and make her his bride. The image this presented filled him with joy.
~ Chapter Four ~
EXERILLA JUMPED TO her feet and looked around at what appeared to be an ancient dungeon that had been used for torturing its prisoners. She flinched as her scan of her surroundings found an iron maiden against one wall. She knew what that was used for, because she had seen her share of horror movies.
She looked into Baudali’s cold eyes and the first thing she wished for was her jeans and sneakers. It would be so much more appropriate and allow her more agility. Her 19th century day gown was now dirty, torn, and totally inhibiting.
He was watching her. She was aware that he was trying to penetrate her mind so she said, “It has been you, hasn’t it?”
“What has been me?” he appeared mildly interested in her question.
“Watching. I have felt I’ve been watched so many times,” she answered. She was hoping to keep him talking, while she looked for a way to use magic without her wand.
“I find that for a human, you are quite remarkable. It is sad that you shall have to suffer what I am about to inflict on you. But I want him to feel what you feel. I want him to see you in his mind…being made, shall we say, uncomfortable.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, but I wish I did. Are you sure you have the right person?” She knew she sounded dumb, but the sorry truth was that she wasn’t sure what he was talking about.
He came toward her as she held her hands out. “Human. You were transported by magic against your will, and yet you seem to have adjusted very quickly. In fact, you don’t seem in the least bit afraid. I find that odd. I should like to dissect you when I am done.”
She had to pretend to be a human from the 19th century. She said, “Afraid? Yes, I am afraid and can only think this is the work of the devil.”
He laughed and inclined his head, “In a manner of speaking, it is.”
The next thing she knew she was thrown against the wall. Her arms were spread out and tethered with chains to bolts, as were her legs.
He paced in front of her and made odd sounds, as he chewed on his bottom lip. He then stopped and put one finger to his nose “You are a great beauty. Will he let you die? This will be truly exciting to watch. But for now, I need him to feel you in pain. I am afraid we must begin.”