Chapter 7
As a rook, Wilona flewswiftly away from the stable. Something was horribly wrong with her, and this realization sent her into a panic. She felt antsy and jittery as if she might shift at any moment. She lowered her flight pattern.
Someone yelled out behind her. She glanced back to see that Alpin had shifted into his human form mid-flight and dropped to the ground. Fortunately, he had not been too high in the air.
What the devil? That wasn't supposed to happen.
She pulled her wings in and landed on the ground just as her transformation took place.
She and Alpin were naked and sprawled inelegantly in the mud.
"Get into the bushes," she hissed as she crawled behind them.
She hoped Torr hadn't heard Alpin's yell.
"You could've warned me," Alpin grumbled.
She wouldn't tell him she hadn't intended for him to shift at that point. Something had weakened her magical abilities. That worried her. Was it because Gavin's spell had been destroyed?
"How will we get back to the manor house?" Alpin asked, his gaze dropping to her breasts.
"Stop staring at me," she ordered in a low growl.
He rolled his eyes toward the sky and blew out an irritated breath.
"We will fly, that's how. Just allow me a few moments to think." She needed to rest and concentrate. "We must stop those two from traveling to find Brodie's former betrothed."
Wilona had to prevent any further curses from ending. If they did, that might erase all her magical powers. Then, she would never have the revenge she craved for her son's death. She refused to let her enemies win.
***
THE NEXT MORN IN THElaboratory, Finnian placed the small corked vial of love potion into Catriona's hands. Excitement beat through her veins. This might be the key to trouncing the curse.
"Be verra, verra careful with this, lass. 'Tis easy to break."
She nodded and held up the clear glass container to inspect the rosy pink liquid inside. 'Twas no more than a dram. "What must I do with it?"
"Pour a bit into the woman's drink. My mother said 'twould work quickly. If your brother needs any convincing, slip some into his drink as well. It works best if you give it to them at the same time. Half to each."
Catriona frowned. How on earth could she do that? She and Torr would have to take Elsea back to Farspag, then convince Brodie to be there as well.
"Will this keep for a while?" she asked.
"A few days, but avoid putting it in sunlight or near heat. Wrap it in this."
"Very well." Catriona took the short strip of cloth he offered, wrapped it around the vial, and placed it into the pouch tied at her waist.
"If you allow the potion to fall into the wrong hands, 'twill bring danger down on your head." Finnian pointed a warning finger at her.
A moment of apprehension seized her, blending with her impatience to get going. "I shall be careful. I thank you for your help."
"Best of luck." The older man bowed and smiled.
She was going to need all the luck she could get.
Cat hurried outside to join Torr as he and the stable lad saddled two horses—a small chestnut mare and a large courser warhorse of darkest midnight. The two maids followed her. Maude carried a brown satchel of food, then handed it to Torr.
As he strapped it to the back of one of the saddles, Aggie dragged Cat aside. "M'lady," she whispered. "Your mother would nay approve of you goin' off alone with Sir Torr. You must let me come along as chaperone."
