Dangerous Magic by Sullivan Clarke Read Free Book Online Page B

looked out, her eyes scanning the outside of her cottage for the huge wolf. She was just about to breathe a sight of relief when she detected movement in the forest - subtle movement but still movement. It was human movement, and - heart pounding - Lark picked up the fire poker and moved towards the door, just in case the warning in her dream was connected to the person lurking in her forest. A rap on the door caused her to jump and when she didn't open it right away, a familiar voice called her name impatiently. With a sigh that mixed both relief and frustration, she opened the door.
    "By the stars, Colin Macgregor," she spat, reaching for a shawl to pull on over the thin chemise she was wearing. "What are you doing lurking about like that? Do you have any idea of what kind of fright you gave me?"
    "Is that why you screamed?" His handsome face wore a look of genuine shock. "I was passing when I heard you and came to check to see if you were alright. It's not like you to be frightened of strangers, given how people tend to show up at your doorstep unannounced." He looked at the poker she still held in her hand.
    "What on earth is going on, Lark. Why are you armed?"
    Lark looked down at the poker as if she didn't remember how it got there and then rushed to put it aside. As she turned, Colin Macgregor followed her.
    "I had a bad dream," she said. "That's why I screamed. When I awoke I was walking the bridge between what wasn't and what was. The first thing I saw as I got my bearings was you in the forest. I was already nervous, so my immediate thought was to defend myself in case..."
    "...in case the dream was real?" he asked. "G'lord, lass. That must have been quite a dream. What was it about?"
    Lark turned towards the fireplace and knelt to put a log on the coals. "I don't remember," she lied and then stood to face him, not wanting to discuss it further.
    "And it is I who should be asking you questions," she said. "What are you doing lurking in my wood, anyway?"
    "I wasn't lurking." Colin Macgregor reached to hand her another log. "I was passing."
    "On your way to where?" she asked, shooting him a skeptical look. "I'm off the path."
    He paused for a moment and then shook his head. "Very well. You got me. I am on my way to the village but thought I'd just take a little trip by your house to see if you needed anything and to make sure you were safe and well."
    "Colin..." Lark stood and brushed past him. "We aren't seven years old anymore, playing at knights and princesses. I don't need rescuing."
    Colin shook his head and laughed. "I know that," he said. "As I recall you once said you'd make a better knight than princess, and we all had to agree. Few women could handle themselves as you do." Then his face grew serious. "But sometimes it's handy to have someone about in case you need help slaying the dragons."
    He paused. "Have you given any thought to what I told you the last time we spoke?"
    "About what?" The fire was building now and Lark moved to put a pot of water over it.
    Colin gritted his teeth in frustration. "About the preachers in some villages taking a closer interest in those who they believe are still practicing the old religion."
    "Ah, that. No, I haven't, Colin." And then she stopped, and in her mind she saw the black wolf with the cross round its neck. She felt the blood drain from her face.
    "What?" he asked suddenly. "Is something wrong?"
    Lark shook her head, as if by doing so she could shake the image out of it. "No, nothing," she said.
    He stood and walked over to her, taking his friend by the shoulders. She looked so troubled and it was all he could do not to enfold her in his arms, insist that she come back to his little stone house where he could look after her, care for her.
    "Don't lie to me, lass," he said. "Something is wrong. Now tell me. Has someone come here and threatened you? Was it the Reverend Pratt? Has he come snoopin' around?"
    "Col!" she shrugged him off, his words only making her more