Page 89 of Dark Seduction

“Aye. ’Tis my home in Lachlan.” He finished saddling his mount and faced her. “I see ye fear fer Malcolm.”

Claire hugged herself. “I am very worried about him.”

“Aye, I ken. Claire, he is strong an’ he is good. If he can stay alive, in time this war will pass. These wars always pass.”

The first statement was disturbing, the second hopeful. “How much time will it take Moray to decide to stalk someone else?”

He hesitated. “A hundred years, perhaps more, mayhap less.”

Claire’s eyes widened. “Great.”

Ironheart paused before leading the bay from the stable. “Ye are welcome at Lachlan Castle any time.”

Claire was confused. What the hell was this? She knew it was not a come-on.

“The Black Isle will be safe fer ye an’ ye are welcome in my home fer as long as ye wish. If ye dinna want to go to Iona tomorrow, ye can come with me now.” His green gaze became searching.

Claire was stunned. Should she leave Awe—and Malcolm—now and go with Ironheart? “Where is the Black Island?”

“’Tis nay far, a bit to the south an’ west.”

And Claire realized she wanted to delay her separation from Malcolm for as long as possible. Besides, Iona was mere miles from Dunroch and Lachlan Castle was not. And she hadn’t been sent away yet. “Maybe, one day, I will accept your generous invitation. I’m not sure, though, why you made it.”

“Ye be Innocent, Claire. I took the same vows as Malcolm.” He swung up into the saddle.

Claire realized she no longer felt uneasy around him. He was an intense, motivated Master, without Aidan’s and Royce’s charm, but he felt like a very safe anchor. “Take care of yourself.”

He nodded at her. “Think afore ye act, Claire, an’ ye’ll be fine. But if ye need help, summon me. God keep ye.” He trotted past her.

Claire followed him from the barn, amazed by his words and his last directive. How on earth would she ever “summon” him? “God speed,” she said. She liked the farewell and she lifted her hand. “And God bless.”

He didn’t respond, breaking into a canter. The drawbridge remained down from when Malcolm had left the stronghold.

Claire watched him vanish into the first gatehouse. That had been odd, but apparently she had an ally she could count on. Considering that Royce was no longer supporting her, and Aidan was an enigma, she was fortunate. But Ironheart had promised to teach her to fight. Obviously that would not happen now.

She needed another dagger, Claire thought, as last night she had broken the blade of the weapon Malcolm had given her. She still had her Taser, but in this world, that wasn’t enough and the charge wouldn’t last forever. Claire started toward the hall. Aidan surely had a stash of weapons at Awe.

The hall was silent when she slipped inside. She was glad Royce had gone off somewhere, as there’d been enough tension that morning to last through the day. Aidan hadn’t been outside, but maybe he was going over Awe accounts. The castle was three times the size of Dunroch, and there was no point in trying to find him. Besides, Isabel probably knew where he was. The ladies’ solar should be on the next floor, directly over the hall.

Claire went upstairs.

It never occurred to her to knock, since the heavy wooden door was ajar. Claire walked in and felt her heart drop to her feet.

Aidan was making love to Isabel, stark naked, except for his boots. Isabel was gasping in pleasure and Claire saw everything she shouldn’t. He was a drop-dead gorgeous, powerful man.

He suddenly looked up, his gray eyes ablaze with lust.

Claire knew she turned red. “Sorry!” She turned and fled. In the hall, she leaned against the wall, breathless, trying not to envision Aidan with all that rippling muscle moving over that other woman. Isabel’s cries intensified and Claire fled back downstairs. Her body had fired up and she couldn’t help wishing she were in Malcolm’s arms without the threat of evil hanging over them.

She remained acutely aware of the two lovers upstairs. Well, she didn’t blame them. It was a great way to pass the afternoon.

Claire went to the table and poured a big glass of red wine. She drank some of it to relax and decided to look for Awe’s arsenal. A weapons room would be below the hall, for all stores were kept on the ground-floor level. Claire went down into the “basement.” It was stacked with barrels, chests and sacks. But on the east side, there was a door. It was locked.

Claire became excited. She would bet anything she had just found the weapons room. Of course it would be locked and she should wait for Aidan to finish his afternoon of delight and ask him for what she needed. She looked at the chain and padlock and jiggled it, not that it was a test of any sort. Of course, the chain remained firm.

Last night she’d had shocking strength, but she knew she wouldn’t have that kind of strength now. She had nothing to pick the lock with and breaking in would be rude, anyway, when Aidan had been the perfect host. She rattled the lock again, with some annoyance, thinking about the knives that had been on the dining-room table. She could probably pick this lock if she really tried.

Then Claire realized she was not alone. She tensed, turned.