A contingency plan. That’s what I was now. He’d already thought it through, believed that we needed one. I was crushed at his lack of confidence in me, but I couldn’t blame him. I’d failed. My spark was still inert. I hid my emotions and spoke up, “He’s right, Ian. No matter what progress I make in the next few months, I think we owe it to everyone to have a plan B.”
“No! That’s bullshit! I don’t trust Callum,” Ian bit out.
“Neither do I. That’s why we won’t be giving Brydie over,” Gage replied coolly. “Because if there’s a chance her blood is compatible, we would be giving them a very powerful weapon, one which they may not give back.” He speared me with his gaze. “Therefore, I suggest we take Brydie and a sample of blood to the meeting. We can exchange the blood for the Lore Book. If the sample comes back positive, we could negotiate another deal.”
Ian looked relieved, and I couldn’t deny I was also put at ease. Gage’s response confirmed that he still had my back when it counted.
Gage turned to Ian. “How long will it take them to verify the sample? A few days?”
He nodded. “About that.”
“Is that enough time to get what you need from the Lore Book?”
“I think so. I’ll work around the clock if I need to.”
I looked at Ian gratefully, a smile on my lips. “Thank you.”
Gage looked between us, his features tightening again. “That’s our plan, then. Be ready at eleven.”
23
Brydie
After Gage left, Ian immediately tried to talk me out of it.
I stalled his protests. This was the only clear path we had left to take. No, I didn’t want to take it, but what other choice did we have? Our hands were tied. They had Cailleach’s Lore Book, and it contained the answers we needed.
Six hours later, Ian and I were waiting in his Range Rover. A blood bag was at my feet. McKenzie had extracted the sample after sourcing an IV line. Ian seemed to think a liter of blood would be enough for them to check compatibility. It was more than I’d been expecting, and as a result, I felt tired and weak, after what had happened on the carlin stone. Ian had solicitously brought a blanket and a few pillows for my comfort, but I couldn’t relax, not with what was at stake.
We’d been waiting in the Rover for the last thirty minutes, sitting on the edge of a large, planted reserve in Aviemore. It was just before midnight and the street was deserted, the motels and holiday homes on the other side of the street where the skiing enthusiasts stayed were dark and quiet. There was no movement within the trees and bushes in front of us, although the area was heavily shadowed due to the lone lamp on the edge of the reserve. Below the lamp sat an empty park bench. From my vantage point in the passenger seat, I could discern a cobbled pathway leading from the bench into the shadowed reserve.
I’d lost sight of Gage about fifteen minutes ago. He’d scouted the immediate vicinity before entering the reserve. I’d reached for the pendant then, drawing in its warmth as the darkness swallowed him up. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. These people were our people—our clan—we were meant to be on the same side.
I watched the clock tick slowly by. Ian didn’t bother to make small talk. He was also on surveillance, eyes glued beyond the windscreen for any sign of movement. I felt uneasy; I was so used to having Gage around that his absence had me on edge.
A light tap sounded on the driver’s side. Ian turned to roll down his window. It was Gage, his features tense. “It’s time.”
Ian looked at me. “You sure about this, Brydie?”
I swallowed, thinking of the stories Ian had shared after Gage left the vehicle. Ian had told me a lot about the Institute, a lot about Callum. I could feel Gage’s intense gaze on my face, hear his unspoken message that this was the only way.
“Yes. No second thoughts.”
Ian set his mouth grimly. “All right, grab the blood, and let’s move.”
Gage slipped around to my side of the car and had my door open before I could reply. I barely had a chance to grab the blood bag before he seized my arm and pulled me out of the vehicle. I winced as his hand closed around the inside of my elbow, where the blood had been drawn.
Gage wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to his side. I could feel every inch of his hard length against mine. “Stay close to Brydie. I want her covered.”
Ian came to join me on my other side. I looked left and right, but I couldn’t see anyone around.
“Let’s go.” Gage tugged me forward, the blood bag swaying between our thighs. It was such an awkward gait that it wasn’t a surprise when I stumbled. Gage cursed, holding me tighter. The smell of woodsmoke and forged steel overwhelmed my senses.
“Just a little farther, Brydie,” breathed Ian on my other side.
I kept my eyes ahead of us, on the park bench under that lone lamp, and gritted my teeth, fighting a wave of exhaustion. I’d woken barely seven hours ago from a two-day coma, and my body knew it. It was screaming out for rest. Thankfully, the bench was within reach.
“Sit,” Gage ordered, pushing me down to the bench. Once settled, he swiftly moved to stand behind me, his eyes on the cobbled path that disappeared into the bush ahead.
Ian moved to stand just to my left.
In the distance, a small pinprick of light glowed to life down the cobbled path. Then another, a little bit closer. And so on, three more times before I realized that those lights were free-standing lamps coming alight. Their glow illuminated the cobbled path that wended through the trees, and on that path, coming inexorably toward us was another set of lights hovering in the air. Except these ones were different—larger and agile.
What were they?
I glanced at Gage and Ian, but they were steadfastly facing forward as if this was expected. When those glowing lights were within ten meters of our location, they stopped, hovering in the air before us. Before I could ask what they were, there came a high-pitched whine, as if the air was sucked into a vacuum. The noise ended on a pop of sound, and then I saw them—five people staring directly back at me.
The five of them were dressed similarly, in long dark robes with hoods covering their heads. The front of their robes depicted a five-pointed star, and it blazed from their chests in an eerie glow. I couldn’t decipher anyone’s features under the shadow of the hoods.
Gage moved from behind the bench to stand in front of me. Placing his hands on either side of his thighs, he surprised me by bowing from the waist.
It seemed to be the cue that our mysterious visitors were waiting on, for the bulkiest form lifted a hand to tug the cowed hood off his head. He was bald and looked to be in his mid-thirties.
Gage inclined his head at the man. “There was no need to bring reinforcements, Callum.”
Callum laughed harshly. It was a sound without mirth. “The situation with Fergus highlighted my need for a personal guard at all times. Their job is to ensure I do not fall prey to an unfortunate accident, like my predecessor.” He sent Gage an oily smile. “I’m sure you understand.”
“I agree that Fergus was a force to be reckoned with,” Gage replied smoothly. “If you feel you need the additional support from your companions, then by all means.”
Callum’s lips twisted into a snarl of rage at the barbed insult, but he didn’t bite.
Gage nodded at Callum’s companions. “There’s no danger here as we’ve met on mutual terms. In the interest of our agreement, we would appreciate seeing their faces.”