Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

Joanne Wadsworth





Chapter 1


The ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, on the Isle of Islay, Scotland.



“I can’t believe these ruins were once the home of Mum’s MacDonald ancestors.” Marie MacLean belted her white woolen coat tighter. Dunyvaig Castle had stood guard over this sought after entrance of Lagavulin Bay, when a powerful stronghold and sea base meant the difference between life and death.

“Clan MacDonald ruled Islay centuries ago.” Katherine, her twin, flapped her tour brochure open where they stood high on the craggy rise. “Yet Dad’s clan MacLean ancestors continually feuded with them from the nearby isles. We’re like the progeny of two bickering clans who knew very little peace.”

“What about poor Mary?” Marie rubbed the silver amulet at her neck. The MacDonald clan crest was engraved on one side, and on the reverse, the MacLean’s crest. “The two clans should have come together in harmony the day Mary MacLean wed the MacDonald chief. Instead the feud became bitterer.”

“Does the feud intrigue you because of Mary’s gift?”

“Absolutely. Mary bequeathed this amulet to her eldest daughter requesting it be passed down through the generations until it once again came into the possession of a MacLean. That took over four-hundred years. It’s as if Mary is trying to send me a message, only I’ve no idea what.”

“And you’re definitely the eldest daughter of both a MacDonald and a MacLean, Marie. She wanted you to have her amulet.”

“Yes, but what am I supposed to do with it?” She hadn’t removed Mary’s gift since receiving it a few months ago on her twenty-first birthday. Mere weeks before Mum lost her battle with cancer, she’d placed it around her neck. Mum’s final wish had been for her and Katherine to bring the amulet home to Dunyvaig Castle as Mary had requested. So halfway around the world they’d traveled, from Australia’s Gold Coast, and then by ferry from Scotland’s mainland to this isle.

Such a rugged, yet beautiful land. Marie lifted her face toward the sky. It would be even more picturesque if the heavy gray clouds above diffused. “It looks like we’re in for some bad weather.”

“A storm I’d say. It’s strange how their seasons are in the reverse to ours. It’s autumn here, while Down Under we left spring behind. Everything feels off kilter.” Katherine ambled into Dunyvaig’s faerie circle and sat on the center stone. The tartan red and blue of her woolen coat made her a bright beacon of color. “Come and sit with me.”

Marie perched on the edge of the large flat stone. “Why are we sitting when we should be exploring?”

“Because I’m going to help you figure out what to do with Mary’s amulet.”

“I wish Mary had left more precise instructions.”

“Well, Mum said we had to—” Katherine blinked furiously, suddenly fighting tears.

They talked about Mum all the time, but grief still consumed them. She’d been forty-five. In the prime of her life.

Katherine scrubbed a hand over her face, composing herself. “I’m sorry. I miss Mum so much. This would’ve been the trip of a lifetime for her.”

“Which is why we promised her we’d come. We’re going to live her dreams for her. At least we get to do this together.” She hugged Katherine, and her sister’s sweet vanilla scent, the same as what their mother had worn, soothed her. It wasn’t fair they’d lost both their parents. Dad a year past, and now Mum. It was only her and Katherine.

“Promise me you’ll never leave me like they did.” Katherine squeezed her back.

“I promise. I love you.” Her sister was her life.

“I love you too.” Katherine let out a long breath. “So, back to amulet. You brought it here to Dunyvaig. We can check off that request.”

“The first and only request following the bestowment. Hmm, maybe if we look around I might have an epiphany.” This place was so remote with its grassy moors rolling for miles in both directions.

“Good idea. Let’s do that. This faerie circle is pretty amazing. Let me take a picture of us before we leave it.” Katherine lugged her cell phone from her jeans pocket and readied it for a shot. “Get closer, sis.”

She flattened her cheek to Katherine’s and smiled. Throughout their lives, they’d done everything together, and this was yet another adventure.

“Smile.” Katherine clicked and checked the picture. “Mirror images. I could’ve just taken a photo of me and not worried about you.”