What the devil had happened?Whatwas he?
After a long swim, he headed toward the opposite bank, then waded from the water onto the flat beach, the tiny round shingles shifting beneath his feet... hooves.
He shook the water off his mane and snorted.
How did he even know how to do that?
He stared down at his huge hooves, turning his head aside to see better. Strangely, he could see well in the near darkness. Next, he glanced back over his shoulder to see that he did indeed have a horse's body.
Hell! What happened to me?He tried to say the words aloud, but the sound coming from his mouth was naught but a nicker.
Then, the answer came to him.
"I have placed a curse upon each of you. Your true beastly nature will emerge."'Twas what that madwoman Wilona MacRae had said.
So, his true beastly nature was a horse? He glanced at the loch. Horses didn't enjoy swimming as much as he had moments ago.
Nay!
A kelpie?
Were kelpies real or mere legend?
Either way, he had to figure out how to reverse the curse. 'Twas baffling and too complicated to think of now. Besides, he was hungry.
He trotted away from the loch. Inexplicably, the scent of grass lured him to a spot where his horse loved to graze. Torr nipped off the tender new blades of grass and chewed. Saints! 'Twas juicy and the most delicious flavor on earth. Even though the idea of eating grass didn't appeal to his human mind, his mouth couldn't get enough of the green lusciousness.
"Torr!" Angus' shout echoed through the night air from the castle's ramparts.
Torr lifted his head and pricked his ears as the sound traveled a vast distance on the spring breeze. What must his brother think? And the clan? They had witnessed all the mayhem of him transforming.
As soon as Torr had returned from Caithmore days ago, he'd told Angus about the witch's supposed curse. But since they'd seen no sign of it, Torr had discounted it and labeled her mad.
But the witch had not lied.
Would Angus expel him from the clan? Give him a clean, warm stall to sleep in during the winter?
Mayhap, this was all a fantastical nightmare.
Eventually, Angus stopped shouting, but Torr couldn't return to the castle now. As silence surrounded him, he realized he missed his brothers and clan. The companionship and conversation. Would he have to live out here alone, in the wilderness?
The moon rose, reflecting off the loch's mirror-like surface. He waded into the shallows to drink and saw the reflection of a white horse in the dark water. His eyes shone pale green, much the color of his human eyes. But, of course, his eyes had never glowed like this. He turned his head aside, still examining his reflection. This couldn't be real, could it? How was it physically possible for him to transform into a beast?
That damnable witch and her evil curse! Had Gavin and Brodie also been turned into kelpies? Or some other beasts?
Torr left the water and wandered onto a hill where he could see the castle's torchlight in the distance. He missed the boisterous camaraderie of the great hall during supper, and he missed his comfortable bedchamber.
Without ever realizing he'd gone to sleep standing up, Torr awoke as a bolt of pain struck him. Groaning, he found himself on the rocky ground, his knees and elbows skinned.
"What in blazes?" He looked at his skin in the rosy dawn light. "I'm human again! Thank the saints!" he shouted, his words echoing.
He shoved himself upright, grateful beyond measure to be rid of the kelpie form.
Thank you, God!Taking a deep breath, he trotted down the hillside, the cool morning breeze chilling his bare skin. The sharp stones bit into his bare feet, but he didn't care. Those massive hooves had vanished, to his profound relief.
As he neared the castle's gatehouse, he couldn't see the guard. "Rupert! Bring me a plaid!"
The bearded guard opened the shutters and peered out, his dark eyes wide. "Sir Torr? Is that truly you?"
