Mortal Magick by Patty Taylor Read Free Book Online Page B

her nerves were on edge, she thought.
    There was no comparing her home in the mountains to this place. She wondered how many people actually lived around this area and how they supported themselves.
    The chilled water rinsed the embedded salt from her deeper wounds, making her wince. More time must have passed than she realized, as the aroma of grilled meat roasting over a fire drifted under her nose. She combed her fingers through the tangled mess of hair. Her belly growled, and she realized she hadn’t eaten since yesterday.
    Sounds of Colin’s laughter made her smile, making her glad that she’d taken the CPR class.
    She stood, taking a deep breath before gripping the front of the oversized nightshirt. By the looks of this wilderness, the nearest motel was probably miles away. Until she could get to the nearest phone, she’d have to make the best of things. She donned a smile and headed up the hill.
    With the back of her hand, Keara wiped away warm drizzles running down both sides of her mouth from the juicy meat she was eating.
    Colin smiled, curiosity written across his face, when she caught him staring at her. She watched his fair cheeks glow rosy red as he lowered his head. As her fingers slid across her greasy lips, she noticed Duncan grin at his nephew.
    Her belly full and content, she covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a yawn. She had to admit, the fresh grouse roasted over the open flames was one of the best dinners she’d ever had. Thoughts of taking a cozy nap tucked beneath the new coverlet would be perfect right about now. She sighed, trying to get her mind off home.
    Duncan nodded to Colin. The boy stood and walked over to a stump with Samson following close behind. He picked up a bundle of clothes and clutched them under his arm. His right hand fumbled with a sheepskin vest he tucked alongside the bundle. He glanced at the Highlander as he dawdled back and stopped in front of her, a puzzled expression written across his blushing face.
    Duncan nodded in return and grinned.
    “Uncle Duncan t-told me how ye helped to save me life. I’m beholdin’ to ye, Miss Keara. I know ‘tis nay much, b-but here’s some of me own clothes ye can use for now. My mum stuffed a handkerchief inside one of the p-pockets. Ye can have that, too.” The boy’s nervous stuttering tugged at Keara’s heartstrings. He stood scuffing his feet while he glanced toward Duncan. “Uncle D-Duncan thought ye might want what’s left of yer own garments he found ye in.”
    “My clothes!” Quickly, she unwrapped the bundle of wrinkled garments and squealed with joy. She grinned at her favorite pair of capris with the embroidered tiny rosebud flowers. They’d been ripped almost completely in half, except for the crotch. She clutched her brand-new camisole corset top and hugged it to her chest. Damn.
    Her smart phone peeped out of a pants’ pocket. She tried turning it on. Oh great, the battery must be dead .
    Everything else was here except for one small item. The G-string. There’s no way I’m going to ask what happened to that.
    She peered around Colin’s thin body and caught a glimpse of Duncan’s boyish grin before it turned into a devilish smile. He turned his head, rose and strolled to his saddlebag and started to rummage inside. A bewildered expression crossed his face as he removed and gripped a small leather pouch. He hesitated a few moments before putting it back.
    Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t know what’s in there.
    She scanned the area but saw no signs of electric towers. If she could just get to a phone, she’d call Beth and ask her to wire money so she could get home. A bad feeling gnawed at her chest, and an uncanny impression of this place pierced her heart. Her forehead throbbed. She pressed her fingers to her temples, the terrible tension headache causing her eyes to squint.
    The eerie voice stuck in her mind. Cold chills raced up her spine. She shivered. The memory still bothered her, but after