Celtic Shores by Delaney Rhodes Read Free Book Online

there a way to break this curse?” asked Galen, urgency in his voice.
    “I th-think there is,” replied Patrick. “But we h-have bi-bigger pro-problems than th-that.”
    “What’s that ye say?” Lucian asked, growing concerned.
    “The b-boy we found on B-Burke l-lands, he w-was dr-drained of his bl-blood, was he no’?”
    “Aye, he was. His wrist was cut, and he said they let it drop into bowls a’neath an altar in the monastery. ‘Twas to be mixed with wine and partaken of by Odetta and her followers,” stated Lucian.
    Galen’s eyes grew large and his face grew pale. He steadied himself on the stool and clenched his fists on top of the table. “I canna believe it,” he said out loud angrily.
    “Believe what?” asked Ruarc. “What are ye talking about Patrick? What is going on?”
    “I ken,” said Galen who rose to stand by Patrick. “I’ll send to Rome, we must have help.”
    Lucian shouted, “Now just wait a minute. What on earth are ye talking about?”
    Patrick chose his words carefully, not willing to cause unnecessary fear or speculation. How to say this without sounding daft?
    “The B-Burke w-witch, she is a D-D-Dearg-due,” said Patrick reluctantly. “A bl-blood s-sucker.”
    “Dearg-due!” exclaimed Ruarc. “’Tis no’ possible! They do not exist, ‘tis simply a myth,” he whispered, astonished at the theory.
    “Hold on,” said Lucian. “Ye may be right Ruarc. She is probably not the Dearg-due we have heard tale about, but she is most definitely a drinker of blood. Patrick— do you really think she has lost her mind to the point she thinks she is the red blood sucker?”
    Patrick nodded. “She has pr-proven ca-capable of b-banishing her own sister. Sh-she has t-taken male ch-children for th-the p-purpose of dr-draining and dr-drinking th-their blood. She no d-doubt be-believes she h-has an un-un-un-earthly p-power. Sh-she m-may b-believe sh-she is Dearg-due.”
    “She is possessed of the devil!” interjected Galen. “We must call to Rome, we must have help!”
    Lucian cast a wary glance at first Galen and then Patrick. “I see no need to involve the Church in this matter; we are more than capable of addressing this matter ourselves.”
    “I’m no’ so s-sure a-about th-that, Lucian,” said Patrick. “I f-fear we m-may n-need all th-the help we c-can get. Galen, call to Rome,” he directed.

SIX
     
    O’Malley Territory—Strong House—Kyra’s Chamber
    Kyra O’Connell, daughter of Ruarc, threw up for the third time in less than an hour. After meeting Payton MacCahan, Patrick’s brother, and his fifty fighting men, and taking them to the river; she returned to her chamber feeling ill. She was attempting to dress for the wedding ceremony and reception, as well as the Samhain celebration later that evening, when her stomach got the better of her.
    If I retch one more time, I think I may faint. Surely this is from swallowing the river water when the men pushed me in. I can’t imagine why I’d be ill otherwise.
    “Kyra, I’ve brought ye some broth, dear,” said her mother, Atilde. “Ye look a might peaked, lass. Are ye sure you didna eat something spoiled?”
    “I’m sure. It must be that awful river water that’s making me ill. I think I swallowed more than a mouthful,” replied Kyra.
    “I still can’t understand why that mon thought to play ye thus. What an inappropriate display of brawn. He must be an eedjit to think he can just treat our people this way. Who does he think he is?” spurted Atilde under her breath.
    “He thinks he is a Lord’s son and brathair to the new O’Malley Laird,” replied Kyra. “Besides, he’s not as all bad as that. He mistook me for a young boy, that is all. No doubt he believed Patrick had planned some type of jest at his expense.”
    “Don’t ye go setting yer sights on the likes of him, Kyra. He is no kind of mon’. As far as I ken, Patrick is the only honorable one amongst that group of MacCahan lads. I hear tell