"Seemed to fit." She shrugged, causing a lock of her ginger hair to escape the hood of her cloak. He wanted to run his fingers through those fiery, silken curls.
"Mayhap you could lift me onto the top of that stone wall." She pointed.
"Nay," he growled. "How would you get down inside?"
"Jump."
"And break a leg? I think not."
"Humph. Then what do you suggest, oh wise one?"
He gave her a sidelong glance. She had one impertinent little mouth. One he'd like to spend the day exploring...
"You must stay out here," he said, trying to focus on their mission. "I'll find a way inside, tie them up, and take the stone. If I must kill Alpin MacTavish, so be it."
"I'm going in with you; we're a team." She pulled one of Brodie's daggers from a sheath on her belt. It did not look right in her dainty hand. She was too soft and delicate to fight with weapons.
"Very well, you can go," he relented. "But let me do the fighting. Wilona must be gagged so she cannot speak any more spells upon us while we're here. Stay away from Alpin at all costs. He is dangerous, especially to beautiful young lasses."
Cat smiled, all sweet and blushing. "You think me beautiful?"
"Aye. You ken I do. Now, let's find a way in." Torr strode forward, following the trail along the eight-foot-high stone wall. Soon, they came to a small ancient wooden door in the wall.
"Ha, look at this." He tried the metal latch. 'Twas locked and rusted in place, but the wood was decaying. He kicked at it, and the door splintered apart. After poking his head inside and seeing no one about, he motioned her forward. She was ever standing too close, brushing her soft, delightful self against him, her floral scent still distracting him. Ill-advised in this dangerous situation.
He found a shuttered window low to the ground. With a sizable stone, he broke both the flimsy wooden shutter and glass, then climbed in. He carefully pulled Cat in after.
"We need to tie up and gag Wilona first," he whispered. "I shall deal with Alpin after." If he could keep Alpin away while he bound the witch.
All was silent on the ground floor. Were the miscreants sleeping after their romp of last night?
Withdrawing his sword, Torr motioned for Cat to follow him up the wooden staircase. The doors to the rooms they passed stood open, but the door at the end of the narrow corridor was closed. He turned the knob, eased the door open, and stuck his head inside. The scent of stale wine was thick in the air.
Two sleeping forms lay upon the bed. Torr crept closer, his sword in hand, and could not believe what he saw. Naked, but for the sheet thrown over him from belly to thigh, Alpin lay asleep on the bed. Strangely, his wrists and ankles were bound to the bed frame with ropes. Perfect. Torr grinned, wondering what on earth Wilona had done to him.
Wearing a smock and half covered with the sheet, Wilona snored beside him. Two empty wine bottles and glasses sat on the bedside table. Now, he had only to tie her up, and their task would be near complete.
Torr eased forward and tested the strength of the ropes binding Alpin, finding them likely strong enough to hold the swine for a few minutes.
Signaling Cat to remain silent, he quietly lay his sword on the floor at the foot of the bed. Next, he leapt on the bed and flung Wilona onto her stomach. Imprisoning her legs between his, he dragged her hands behind her back. She screamed, but he pressed her face into the pillow.
"Bring the chain," he called to Cat.
Alpin awoke, raging, cursing, and pulling at the ropes holding him in place.
Using one hand, Torr helped Cat place the thick cloth gag into Wilona's mouth, then the silver chain to hold it in place. He hooked it behind her head, then finally managed to lift her up so Cat could wrap the chain around her, securing her arms close to her body. Then, they bound her legs and hooked the chain at her knees. He checked to make sure it was tight enough.
Wilona moaned and twisted about. Alpin roared and thrashed.
Cat searched the room, throwing clothing out of her way.
"Where is the keek-stane?" Torr asked Wilona. "Look in the direction of it."
She merely glared at him, evil emanating from her eyes.
"I've nay fear of you, bitch. I ken Gavin bested you and vanquished the curse."
She squirmed like a snake. Even her very skin seemed to crawl. Her face contorted hideously, and she made vile, guttural sounds. Was she getting words out around the gag? Her eyes turned completely dark. Even the whites looked like obsidian. Damnation, Finnian's chain might not contain her. They must hurry.
