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Fire was raging around them, wood was cracking, and heat radiated from the inferno of the burning buildings. Ashes and sparks flew in the air, scalding Raghnall where they landed on his face.

But he didn’t care. He stared at the dead body of the woman he loved, of his betrothed, with a darkness warping, raging, sucking everything around his heart.

He wanted to be dead, too. From regret. Had it not been for his misgivings, she’d be alive.

Had he not been a coward, he’d have protected her.

Someone tugged him at the sleeve and he looked up. Seoc was standing by his side, his shoulders sunken, cheeks crimson from the heat or from emotion.

Raghnall looked at the wall of fire surrounding them from three sides. “We must go. Come on.”

He picked up Mòrag’s body and walked. Ashes and sparks rained on him and on the lad walking by his side. Distantly, Raghnall thought this might be the apocalypse. Perhaps not the whole world had ended, but his certainly had.

He’d never allow himself to love again. He couldn’t let another woman die because of him.

And he’d do anything to protect Seoc and ensure the best life for the lad.

Even if it meant going back to Eilean Donan, to the Mackenzie lands—the home and family his father had driven him from eleven years ago—and demanding his birthright.

Chapter 1

Eilean Donan, September 2021

This would be the place where she’d die.

Bryanna’s stomach twisted at the sight of the Eilean Donan castle, which looked almost black against the granite sky. There it was again, in her mind, the image that had haunted her ever since she was sixteen.

Her limp body in the arms of a tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in a homespun tunic that reached the middle of his thighs, a sword on his hips, long, muscular legs in something like breeches, long, dark hair waving in the wind as he carried her. But as many times as she dreamed of him, she couldn’t see his face.

“’Xcuse me, do you mind?” an angry voice said, and a large man brushed past her, pushing her with his shoulder.

She staggered from the impact, bumped into her sister, and grabbed her sleeve. Around them, people spoke Chinese, Russian, Italian, and French, the mixture of voices a lulling noise. The museum had reduced their hours because of recent disappearances within the castle, and undaunted tourists were trying to squeeze in during the open hours.

Including Bryanna Fitzpatrick and her family.

“Hey!” Pamela Fitzpatrick cried after the man. “That was rude, sir!” She turned to Bryanna and put her hand on her shoulder. “Are you all right, honey?”

Mom’s sweet face was flushed in outrage. Cold wind blew the scent of the loch into Bryanna’s face and threw a lock of her mom’s strawberry-blond hair into her eyes. Bryanna’s own honey-colored mane was dancing all around her in the wind, and Mom tucked her hair behind her ear. She reminded Bryanna of a mother hen. Being a nurse, she always cared for people, especially her diabetic daughter.

Bryanna flashed a smile she didn’t feel. “I’m fine, Mom.”

“You look pale suddenly.” Mom pushed her gently towards the stone fence along the bridge. “Here, let’s measure your glucose. Get your kit out.”

Kris, Bryanna’s older sister, turned to them. “Do you need help?”

She was another strawberry blonde, taller and prettier than Bryanna.

Also healthier. And she lived in her own apartment, had a better-paying job, and a boyfriend. Yes, Bryanna loved teaching music to kids, but her insulin alone cost her half of her monthly paycheck.

“I’m fine,” said Bryanna, but opened her purse nonetheless. It would be easier not to argue with Mom. “Just taking in the beauty, that’s all.”

She wished she could tell her mom and Kris about her visions. About the Highlander with long, raven hair, battle wounds, and a bloodied medieval tunic. About other visions that had come true, things like how she’d get diabetes at the age of sixteen, which was her first vision ever. Her dad having a heart attack and dying. Dreaming of the music teacher in her old school deciding to move to another state and leaving a job opening that wouldn’t be advertised anywhere.

But she never told anyone. They’d think she was crazy at best.

At worst, they’d tell her going to Eilean Donan was a bad idea after all and drag her away. And she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if that happened. Visiting Scotland had been Mom’s dream. She and Dad had been here for their honeymoon, and today was the five-year anniversary of Dad’s death.

They all missed him, and it had been especially hard on Mom. So no, Bryanna couldn’t ruin it for her. She had to go through with this, visions or no visions.