020

The wind picked up, sending a shiver down my spine. Above us, the stars twinkled like cold diamonds, indifferent to our plight.

“The coven is getting restless,” she said, her voice barely audible. “They think I’m the key to something, something big. I can feel their eyes on me all the time, waiting for me to slip up, to show them what I truly am.”

I took her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin. “You are not a weapon, Cat. You are not a means to an end. You’re a person, with feelings, with a heart, with a soul. Don’t let them turn you into something you’re not.”

Her eyes searched mine, looking for answers I didn’t have. But what I did have was my unwavering belief in her, in the goodness that I knew resided deep within her.

“I’ll do my best,” she murmured, leaning into me.

And in that moment, with the world spinning around us, I knew that I would do whatever it took to make sure she stayed that way.

~CAT~

As I entered my room, I knew I wasn’t alone.

Trying to sound confident despite the trembling in my voice, I asked, "What do you want, Sharella?”

Sharella’s laugh echoed through the room, chilling me to the bone. "You think you know your precious Rook? He sold his soul to me long ago. You know nothing of him.”

As she took another step toward me, her eyes glinting with malice, I knew I didn’t have the energy with another battle with her. Running to the bathroom, I slammed the bathroom door shut in her face and locked it. Afterwards, I lunged for the window. Shoving the window open, I hefted myself upward, then squeezed through the narrow opening.

As I landed on the other side, my heart pounding, I heard the sound of the bathroom door splintering, and took off at a run.

It wasn't long before I heard the sound of footfalls behind me, and as I didn't know which one of them it was, I pushed myself harder, heading toward the looming treeline before me.

As I sprinted towards the trees, I could hear the sound of the person pursuing me growing closer with each passing second. My heart raced and my breathing quickened as I pumped my legs harder, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. The rustling of leaves beneath my feet echoed outward as if blasted by a bullhorn, and I winced.

Every step I took seemed to carry through the trees, leading my pursuer right toward me as if I were dropping breadcrumbs that showed them the way. I tried to zigzag and make my path more difficult to follow, but it was no use. My pursuer was relentless, their footsteps never faltering or slowing down.

I knew that I couldn't keep this up for much longer. My legs were starting to feel like leaden weights, and my lungs burned from the exertion.

Abruptly stopping, I darted behind a tree, hoping to throw the person off. Bending at the waist, I propped my hands on my knees, sucking in huge gasps of air, but at the crackle of leaves right before me, I jerked upward, my eyes widening as a voice murmured, "'Hello, Lass."

I couldn’t help but shake my head. Now, who the fuck was this?

The voice had a thick Scottish brogue that seemed as out of place here as a snowflake in a sauna. I peered through the shadows, and that’s when I saw him. A man, tall and broad, with a beard that would make a Viking weep with envy and a kilt that fluttered around his muscular thighs like a battle banner. His eyes were piercing blue, like the heart of a glacier, and he had a smile that didn’t quite reach them.

“You’re not from around here, are ya, lass?” He stepped closer, and despite the fear that had me in its grip, I couldn’t help but be drawn to his warmth.

I took a cautious step back. “What do you want?”

“To help ye, of course. Name’s Hamish. I’ve been watchin’ over ye and yer friends for some time now. I’ve a bit of a soft spot for underdogs, ye see, and ye lot seem to have more than yer fair share of trouble on yer plates.”

My curiosity piqued despite my better judgment. “How do you know about us?”

He winked, a twinkle in his eye. “Let’s just say I have me ways. But that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to offer ye a deal. A bit of an alliance, if ye will. I’ve got something ye need, and I reckon ye can give me something in return.”

The way he spoke, it was as if he’d been born to charm the pants off a snake. But I wasn’t about to let my guard down.

“What could you possibly have that we need?”

He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. “Information, lass. And not just any information. I know the secrets of yer coven, and I know the truth about the prophecy that’s got everyone’s knickers in a twist. Interested?”

His words hung in the air, as tantalizing as a siren’s song. I knew better than to trust a stranger, but the desperation was building inside me, threatening to burst like a dam.

“What’s the catch?” I asked, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands.

Hamish’s smile grew, and for a moment, I saw the predator lurking beneath the charming façade. “Ah, but that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? The catch is always the most interesting part of the deal. But let’s just say, I’m looking for someone to help me with a... little problem. In return, I’ll help ye keep Sharella from turning ye into her pawn.”

I studied him, trying to gauge his intentions, but his expression was as unreadable as the stars above. “What kind of problem?”

He chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “A personal one, really. A bit of unfinished business with a certain someone. Someone who’s been causing trouble in these woods for far too long. But that’s a story for another time. For now, ye just need to know that I can help ye control that power within ya, and keep it from consuming ye whole. Will ye join me?”

The decision was a heavy one, but the promise of knowledge and protection was too tempting to resist. With a nod, I took a step toward him, my hand outstretched.

“Alright, Hamish. You’ve got a deal. But if you’re playing me, I won’t hesitate to rip your throat out with my bare hands.”

He took my hand in his, his grip firm and warm. “Fair enough, lass. But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, aye?”