Page 38 of Luthias

“I shallnae,” Luthias promised.

She blew out a breath, and then said, “The person who did this may be deeply disturbed, but they are aware that what they’re doing is wrong, or they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to hide it. The artifacts they left behind also indicate that they have considerable experience working with bones in this manner, and felt comfortable in what had to be very unpleasant conditions. I think you may find other caves or burial sites where this intruder has been active in the past.”

“’Twasnae the first such for them?” he asked, and she nodded. “Gods.”

“The site feels important, almost ceremonial, so it may be connected to this person’s spiritual beliefs. The intruder is most likely an adult male, and...well, that’s all.” She ducked her head. “I don’t want to speculate too much.”

“You reckon ’twas a MacRoss,” Luthias said. “No’ an intruder.”

“I can’t be sure of that.” Emery glanced up at him. “From the location I don’t believe he just stumbled across that cave. Before that slide uncovered the place it would not have been visible to anyone passing by. He knew where it was, as well as the best way to reach it. He also spent a lot of time in there, so he either lived in it or kept returning to it for weeks or even months, yet he avoided being seen by your patrols the entire time. In order to do that, he would have to know when your men would be in that area. This was done by someone who knows the clan and your land very well.”

Everything she’d said made sense, and still Luthias didn’t want to believe it. How could any of his brothers had hidden away in that wretched place and sit in the reek of death for hours? Yet who would know the land and patrols better than a MacRoss?

As they reached the ledge above the loch he reined in the horse and dismounted, reaching up to help Emery down. As he put her on her feet he realized again how small and delicate she was. Any man who wished to harm her wouldn’t have to make much effort.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I knew it would upset you. That’s why I didn’t want to say anything.”

“Your reckoning, ’tis much the same as mine.” He wanted to wrap his arms around her, and hold her safe from all the ugliness in the realm. “If you would, Mery, say naught of what you ken to anyone.”

“I won’t.” She looked over at the sparkling water, and something odd flickered over her features. “You were right, this is a beautiful place. Can we have a picnic here instead of by the loch? There are probably a lot of bugs by the water.”

“There’s a meadow beyond the trees there, but we must walk down,” Luthias said as he tethered the horse to a good grazing spot, and went over to the edge of the trail. “I cannae promise you a monster, but ’tis a good time to see golden eagles, swans and ospreys as they journey from their nesting grounds.”

Emery started to say something, and then a series of low, heavy thuds made her frown. “What is that?”

He looked up to see a huge boulder tumbling down from the higher slopes, and lunged at her, knocking her out of the way. As it slammed down on the spot where he and Emery had just stood a shower of dirt rained down on them. The gigantic rock bounced up and hurtled over the edge, falling into the water with a tremendous splash.

Luthias looked down at Emery. “You’re no’ hurt?” When she shook her head he scrambled to his feet and drew his dagger, stepping back to scan the upper cliffs. “Show yourself.”

His shout drew no one into his sight, but some other, smaller rocks and dirt pelted his boots.

“Do giant rocks usually fall down like that around here?” she asked as she stood and brushed off her clothes.

“No, and ’tis been weeks since the last storms.” Luthias looked over the edge at the loch, but the stone had sunk to the bottom. He felt curiously unsteady, and then realized the cause: the ground had begun shifting under his feet.

“Stay back, my lady.” Luthias took a cautious step forward, only to see a large rift form in the earth between him and Emery. “’Tis collapsing.”

Chapter Eleven

Emery saw the crack in the ground suddenly growing branches that stretched out in all directions. The impact of the boulder must have made the already unstable soil loosen even more.

“Luthias.” She darted forward as much as she dared, and held out her arm. “Grab my hand. Hurry.”

He shook his head. “Stay back. ’Twillnae harm–”

The ground beneath him suddenly disappeared, and he dropped out of sight. Emery froze in disbelief as she stared at the emptiness where he had just been standing. Then she saw the laird below her, tumbling head over heels down the slope. He bounced off an outcropping and went flying into the air, only to land in the loch with a huge splash.

“Luthias.”

She ran down the foot path, her breath burning in her chest as she made her way down the slope. She kept her eyes on the loch, hoping to see him surface, but saw no sign of the laird. It didn’t help that she kept losing her footing and stumbling, but she managed to stay upright. As she reached the embankment she saw a tartan slowly float to the surface a few yards from shore.

You don’t know how deep it is, the sensible part of her brain reminded her, while her heart pounded with terror. You can’t swim, remember? You’ll panic and go under and drown.

“Fine.” Swallowing against the bile rising in her throat, Emery waded into the water. “Then I’ll drown with him.”

The shock of the cold water made her teeth chatter, and the silty bottom made her boots slide, but she kept her gaze fixed on the plaid. The plaid would still be attached to Luthias, since he wore it pinned to his tunic. All she had to do was reach the plaid.

You’re really going to drown.