“I’m sure you will. So how many family members have you got here? When I booked my ticket with your mother, she introduced me to three of your brothers, all taking different tours.” This one was her first preference though. It would only be a short trek to the ruins along the rocky shore.
“Just those three, but I have what feels like a thousand cousins, and dozens of aunts and uncles.” He motioned toward the stone rubble. “Go ahead if you’d like. I’ll wait for the others and then follow.”
“I think I will. Feel free to catch up. If you can.” Grinning, she strode off. The shore track quickly reduced to a thin path through the long grasses and heather as it wound uphill to the mainland. At the top, she wiped her brow. A steep gully separated her and the ruins. The beach access must have been to the right of the decayed bridge, only fog rushing in obscured it. The bridge walls were intact. It might be possible to shuffle along the remaining narrow shelf. She leaned over the edge of the twenty-foot chasm then set one foot on the ledge.
Yep, her small feet would be a bonus. This was doable. Allowing her adventurous spirit to take flight, she stepped out. Even shrouded as it was, Dunscaith Castle awaited her.
“What are you doing, Anne? Wait.” Donald jogged toward her. “You can’t cross there. Dad told you to take the beach access to the side.”
A gust plastered her long skirt against her legs. “Sorry, I’m a bit impulsive. I’ll be fine.”
“Get back.”
“I’ll be careful.” She waved him off while maintaining her balance. Below the sea roared and the surf washed in to slap hard and spray high against the rock’s sheer surface. Best to take it slow. She lowered and crawled.
“Wait up. Geez, we should never have let a MacLeod board the van.” He braced one foot on the ledge.
“It’s all right. I can make it on my own.”
“I’m coming anyway. You’re my responsibility.”
“What about your other passengers?” A drop of water splashed her nose then another hit her cheek.
“They’re taking the correct path since their hearing is better than yours.”
“Then I’ll see them at the ruins.” Gosh, where was the end of the ledge?
“Got you.” Donald clamped her ankle and held her still.
“Let go and stop ruining my fun. I’m almost there.”
“Hold still or else you’ll topple us both off.”
“Don—” Lightning flashed and thunder boomed. A heavy cloud blackened the skies. “Right, holding still.”
“Strange things have happened at these ruins over time, events that can’t be explained.”
“Can we back up? I can’t see more than a few feet in front of—” A horse whinnied then the sound of hooves pounding echoed all around. “There’s a horse out here?”
“No, not unless—”
Underneath her the ledge shook and through the shroud, a horse and rider rode free. Inches away on the wooden drawbridge, the animal reared up on its hind legs.
Shoot, that couldn’t be right. Where had the drawbridge come from?
She clutched Donald as the horse’s hooves crashed down, almost slicing into her.
“The castle belongs to us, Artair.” A beast of a man riding the brute bellowed to another rider. “Dinnae let nary a MacLeod enter. I’ll see to my mother and Anne.”
“I’ll return to the watch point.” The man who must be Artair slapped his horse’s rear and galloped back into the gloom.
“Alex.” A Highlander wrapped in a thick plaid raced from the castle. “Where’s the chief and the men he took with him?”
“We found no trace of him passing through the village.” In one swift move, Alex dismounted then secured his destrier to a post on the bridge. “Cool the horse and give him an extra hand of oats, James.” He stormed into the castle.
“Did you see that?” Anne fisted Donald’s coat. “Who are those men? What’s going on?”
“This could be one of those strange things. I’ve heard it said—”
“Who goes there?” The Highlander, James, stomped forward in his thickly furred boots, hunkered down and looked right through her as if searching.
“I think he can hear us.” She could certainly almost touch him, this warrior dressed as if from centuries in the past.
“Come forth and show yourself.” The man shot out a hand, caught her around the neck and yanked her to her feet. “There you—Anne?” His bushy red eyebrows flung up. “Sorry, lass. I left you inside. How did you sneak past me?”
“Donald, help.” She wobbled as he released her. Where was Donald? She fell to her knees and slapped the ledge where she’d just been. “Not funny, Donald. You can’t desert me now. Show yourself.”
“The chief’s away. Alex returned, but couldnae find him.” James heaved her up.
“Where on earth did this drawbridge come from?” She stomped on it. It was solid and very real. The planks were of the thickest cut. “Who are you?”
“The same man I was this morn. Come. Let’s get you back inside.”
“No, I have to find Donald and go home.”
“This is your home. Now nay more wandering in the cold.” He snatched her wrist and tugged her away.