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He signaled to the gatekeeper who opened the massive doors that led them out of the safety of the Keep Ian’s falcon sat perched on his arm

Once they cleared the stones of the yard, they kicked their horses into a gallop The bird took flight and followed in the air above

Liz let out a long-suffering sigh when the gates closed "I need a drink!"

"So do I," Tara put her hand to her back

"Yeahright"

It would take the , and the waiting would be hell

Michael noticed the hound cringed under the hand that slid over its coat The eyes of the dogn over her people was held in place with fear They worked endlessly on repairs of the hoal as a queen looking over her subjects, with her back rod straight and her dark hair piled high on her head Even the costume she wore befitted royalty The woman who previously wore it had the unfortunate luck of traveling through her land The two knights who had escorted the lady were now posted as guard over Grainna’s court

It was eerie how she changed almost daily since they had come here Her eyes weren’t dark, they were black Unlike eyes of a mere human, her pupils almost never constricted Instead, they stood open, in constant surveillance

Michael took the last few steps and stood at her side The dog curled into a ball, whining at his mistress as he approached Michael felt sorry for the hound that couldn’t leave until she released him

"I trust you had a fruitful journey" Grainna folded her hands in her lap

"Perhaps, but as you see I co

"There is one proe near Lancaster"

"And she is not with you… why?"

Michael nodded to the people surrounding them

"I think we should continue this conversation in private"

"I," she spoke in the deadliest of tones, "decide ill speak in private"

He cocked his head, gave a slight bow "If you insist Her naaret She is like us, and possibly intact I won’t know for certain until I bring her to you"

Pain hit his head hard He did his best not to flinch at her intrusion into his head She peered to see if he spoke the truth and he prayed his abilities kept her unaware of every thought he possessed

"Then bring her, woo her Marry the bitch if you led the carrot, his gift of ih He wanted payment before he delivered

"Our ith the MacCoinnichs is couarantee my survival"

As her head slowly moved in his direction, and her deadly stare met his, Michael held his breath and did his best to think only of serving her

Her glare turned into a sh I warn youit is not for the weak of heart Immortality has its own set of, let us say, side effects"

"If it is the curse you speak of, I already know"