Enchanted Moon (Moon Magick Book II) by Amber Scott Read Free Book Online

refusing to give in to the burn in his thigh muscles and
biceps. He searched her stare. “That rite wrought a dark force to life, lass. I
can feel it coming. If you’ve any sense in your head, believe me or not, but I
implore you—run!”
    Ailyn’s
gaze widened as though she thought him mad. “Run?”
    “Aye.
Run!”
    Her
mouth parted but she had no words. Her eyes went from his to the woman in his
arms to the woods.
    Again,
he felt the eerie claw of danger looming closer. “Do not fear for your friend.
I’ll follow. I swear it.”
    With
one backward glance, Ailyn ran. She moved as lithely as a doe. She ran, leapt,
and within a few fast breaths, disappeared beyond a copse of trees. The
darkness thickened, visible now. A greenish gray fog unfurling along the
ground, slinking toward his booted feet. His stomach turned.
    The
weight in his arms felt to double. Triple. Every step took more effort.
    He’d
failed to witness the full rite, so he couldn’t begin to surmise its purpose.
What did he know of the old ways beyond the snatches of stories Breanne had
shared in her training? He could tell Niall O’Donnell why the clan’s herd had
lost numbers. His king should have sent a galloglas for this deed. Such a trivial thing to think of now as the thick stuff flowed
around his calves, curling forth, feeling the area.
    Like
sludge, it seeped upward. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep his word to
Ailyn. But he’d die trying. His only relief was knowing that Ailyn had fled.
She’d heeded his warning. Even stranger than the possessive relief was a
thought that echoed in his head— protect
her with your life.
    The
thought unnerved him. The unearthly sensation that surrounded it sent his mind
reeling, too. Certainty over whom it referred to dug deep inside him. The
thought did not refer to the woman in his arms. But to the one who fled. If the
notion was true, if Brigit or even the Lord Christ himself had bestowed on him
such a task, only one question remained.
    How
could he keep such a flighty yet headstrong lass such as Ailyn safe?

 
 
 
 
 
    Chapter Four

 
 
 
    Ailyn
ran. She didn’t know where she could end up or when to stop, but the look in
the man’s eyes as he spoke those words shot through her mind to pierce her
heart. He’d sensed something. Danger? Why hadn’t she sensed as much? She did
not like this human world where she felt surrounded in silence.
    The
gathering at the fire. Skins for skirts. Her shoulder throbbed. She dared one
glance back. Wait, where was he? Why had he not followed? She came up short,
regret hitting her full force.
    What
had she done?
    She’d
abandoned Maera. She’d trusted a mortal. He’d fooled her! When he had merely
eyed Maera’s beautiful torn wings, she thought perhaps he was as he said. Only
interested in aiding her. For no other purpose save honor. She put her fists to
her temples, swearing to the goddesses.
    He’d
tricked her! Shame washed her cheeks in heat. No, surely not. If he wanted
faerie bones, two were certainly better than one. Stealing Maera went against
what his actions showed, too. Logic argued that had he sought Maera all along,
he’d have been keener on looking in the first place. Yet he’d treated Ailyn as
one would an errant child. He done naught but protected her, albeit a bit
forcefully.
    Much
like she’d attempted to protect Maera.
    The
force he’d warned was coming for them…could magick like that exist here in the
mortal realm? Could it be so powerful as to hinder a man so clearly well built
and trained for battle?
    She
had to go back and find them. Ailyn spun, searching the shadows for signs of
him. Maera’s dress would catch moonlight despite the shadows. Despite the
blood. By Bridget, the blood. So much blood. Her wings were all but severed.
The most sacred sign of her noble birthright, cut through. From the passage? By
the gatherers?
    Ailyn
had utterly failed her duty. Failed her brother and her childhood