Page 48 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

"'Tis an important detail," Finnian said dryly. "The witch fears you will fall in love with the lass again and eradicate the curse."

"Aye, but 'twill never happen!"

Finnian raised a brow, his blue gaze fierce behind his spectacles. "'Tis up to you."

Brodie paced to the window and glanced out at the moor grass blowing sideways in the fearsome wind. "When she woke up from the nightmare, her window was open. The witch could've been in the chamber."

"She went into your sister's chamber at Blacktower. 'Tis a miracle she did nay kill Lady Cat that night."

Brodie remembered Torr telling him the torturous details of the situation. Darkness loomed when he imagined Elsea in the same peril. "Is there a way to shield the lass from the witch's evil?"

"Aye, a rowan cross blessed by a priest might help. I brought two with me that Torr and Cat used for protection." Finnian retrieved them from his trunk and handed them to Brodie. They appeared to be sturdy twigs from rowan trees, formed into a cross and wrapped with crimson wool yarn. "One for you and one for her. Keep it on you at all times."

Knowing full well not everything the physician devised was effective, Brodie scowled. "Do these truly work?"

"Well, Torr and Cat still live."

True, but was that because of the rowan crosses or because they fell in love and shattered the curse? "I can keep one in my sporran as a human, but nay as a selkie."

"Do the best you can."

"I'd prefer that you give the cross to the lass and explain how it works. I'm certain she won't believe me."

"Alright."

"I need to know why she was on the birlinn with the kidnappers. Was she a hostage? Can you gaze into the keek stane and see the details?"

"Nay. I cannot see the past in it, only the present and, at rare times, the future."

"What about the witch?"

Finnian shook his head, his snowy beard swaying. "I've tried several times to spy on her, but she maintains a cloaking spell. I can see naught about her."

"'Tis vexing," Brodie growled. "Is the lass telling the truth about her memory?"

"Aye, from what I have seen thus far, she is."

"Why did her voice return so fast?" Brodie went from believing her one moment to doubting the next.

"I saw naught about that in the keek stane." Finnian considered for a long moment. "The witch might have placed a spell on her, rendering her mute."

"And her missing memory? Is that a spell?"

"Could be. Or the head injury." Finnian threw up his hands.

"She had that sticky herbal concoction on her head," Brodie reminded him.

"Indeed."

"In the cave, she indicated she remembered me at first. Then later, she did not."

"Och. Well then, it could be a spell. Was the witch in the cave?"

"Nay, 'twas... Margaret." A sinking feeling slammed into his gut.

Finnian stuck a finger in the air. "Torr and Gavin believe Margaret is Wilona, you ken."

"She looks nothing like Wilona!"