Fin hated to admit it, even to himself, but Elizabeth had a point. “As boys, Duncan and I would ride out into the woods and work our powers. ’Tisn’t safe to do that now.”

“Alone, no. Maybe if we went out in groups it would be.” Liz took new interest in the room where they stood. “I chose this end of the keep to exercise because nobody comes up here.”

“So we practice here.”

“Tara’s gift manipulates plants and nature.

Your father can control the weather, Myra the wind.

Those things can’t be worked out inside these walls.”

“And Simon needs animals to see through,” Fin concluded before she could.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the mention of her son’s name and walked away. “Not completely.”

“What do you mean?”

She took a deep breath and hesitated before speaking again. “Simon is doing more than seeing through animals. I think he’s going to be able to shift or turn into the animals once his power is perfected.”

Her words didn’t come as surprise, but they did raise fear inside him. “Like Grainna.”

“Yeah.”

Any other family member, any other Druid, Fin could see this new gift as a way to spy on their enemy and bring them closer to defeating her. Simon was still a boy. Quickly growing into a man, but still too young to venture into battle. His gift could keep him from danger, however. For that reason alone, Simon needed to practice and master his new skills.

Elizabeth’s ideas on this subject held merit.

“We’ll discuss this with the others over our evening meal.” Fin picked up his sword and strapped it to his waist. Liz covered her modern clothing with a cloak, and then tucked the music device deep into her pocket.

As they walked from the room, Liz said, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not putting down my plans instantly like you normally do.”

He laughed. “I only deny ideas without merit.

’Tisn’t my fault none you’ve given before held any.”

Her jaw dropped, eyes narrowed. Liz pivoted and stormed away from him mumbling, “Asshole.”

Fin’s laughter followed her as he watched the retreating woman. Her cloak covered her outfit, but Fin still saw the sway of her hips and the long length of her legs. Once again, he battled down the desire the woman provoked. How long would he deny the physical pull she had on him? Why did he deny it now?

Liz rounded the corner and spoke more clearly.

“You’re a jerk, Finlay MacCoinnich.”

“And you love it, Elizabeth McAllister,” he whispered to himself.

Chapter Three

Grainna rested on the top of a tree, tucking her thick black wings to her side. The warrior below sat on his horse, back straight, his ear turned to the sky.

He waited several seconds before moving his mount closer to the stream that ran along the banks of Lancaster’s land.

Reaching out with her power, Grainna probed into the massive man’s mind. His return to Lancaster was early, his time away spent defending allies for his laird. Visions of death filled the far corners of the warrior’s thoughts. No remorse for the lives he’d taken lurked in the shadows.

He slid from his horse, stepped aside, and proceeded to relieve his bladder. His hand lingered between his legs longer than necessary. Grainna experienced the man’s rush of lust and quickly projected her image into his mind. He stroked himself once, twice and started to harden.

Grainna swept off her perch and landed on mortal feet several yards away. Her raven black hair fell to the length of her back, her br**sts pushed forward already aroused and ready for the warrior’s touch. Living a life in an old woman’s body for so long left her starving for a hard man’s touch.

Any man’s touch.

This one however, held an air of danger.

She worshiped danger.

Do not be alarmed, she chanted in his thoughts.

I want nothing more than the power between your legs.

As the man’s hand gripped his erection, Grainna’s knees weakened. His lust manifested in her thoughts. A weaker man would already be on the ground with her straddling his thighs. This man, this warrior fresh from battle, wasn’t as easy to manipulate.

Turn to me. See what is yours for the taking.

Slowly, he did as she demanded. Grainna’s eyes drifted to his hand and she smiled a siren’s deviant grin. “Allow me,” she sighed, stepping forward until his heat collided with hers.

He moved his hand from his shaft to the clasp holding his kilt together. It fell to the ground. His lips parted when she took him in hand. “Who are ye,” he asked against her will. Angering her.

“Only a vessel,” she told him. A fantasy here to relieve your desires.

Hearing her internal whispers, he clasped his hand to her waist and pulled her into his arms. His mouth found hers, but didn’t linger. She didn’t want to be kissed, thought the exercise a waste in light of the pleasures his mouth could and would bring. You will deny your pleasures until I’ve had mine. Until I tell you when.

“Aye.” He trailed her neck with his tongue and lowered her to the ground.

Grainna forced his shirt from his shoulders, biting along his collar. Nothing about her touch was soft or loving.

Her warrior’s mouth sucked her erect nipple.

“Bite it. Hard.”

When he did, fluid rushed to her center. As with all the men she’d had since the change, this one’s mind started to feel the bone deep chill of her immortal soul seep into him.

Grainna spread her legs wide and told him to take her. His personal will already waned. She felt his will shift and the questions in his brain started pushing forward.

His hands stilled.

“Take me now!”

When his c**k pushed into her, the cold ache of her core vibrated, consuming him.

She closed her eyes and looked through his. Her image stared back at her.

He started to move, unable to stop himself now.

Grainna took, demanding him to pound into her flesh without mercy. As his lust shot from him, she placed in his mind her true image, evil, old, wrinkled. As she rode out her pleasure, the warrior no longer felt any lust, any passion. Remorse and an empty void where his soul once lived were replaced with her desires. As she rode over the first wave of climax, Grainna roared her success of adding yet one more warrior to her army.

One more body to remove the MacCoinnichs from her land.

****

Tara held her son Briac with one hand while attempting to eat with the other. Briac’s smile brought laughter and love from each of the family members. Amber pushed her plate aside and rose to her feet. “Let me, Auntie Tara. I’m not hungry tonight.”