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“You can’t just leave us, Sophie,” Agnes said, and I stilled when I heard the shriek of the Kelpies in the background. “You can leave Lachlan if you want, but you can’t leave your friends.”
“Oh God, oh no…I didn’t think…” My pulse picked up and I scrambled across the room, the phone clutched to my ear, shoving my laptop into my bag.
“We need you, Sophie. We’re in trouble,” Agnes’s voice panted. “What do we do?”
“I don’t know…I don’t know. I’m coming. I promise. I’m not far.” I burst from the room at a dead run, grateful that I hadn’t bothered to bring my luggage in the night before, just my tote bag with my computer and important documents. Since I’d already paid for the room, I didn’t care about leaving without checking out. Once in the truck, I fumbled with the key and stared at the wheel.
“Agnes?”
“Sophie, don’t abandon us. Please. I’m scared to go outside,” Agnes whispered into the phone. It was quiet now, and I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing.
“Don’t move. I’m on my way.”
Hanging up the phone, I pulled my dirk from my purse and laid it on the seat next to me before starting the engine.
“Don’t mess with me.” I slapped my hand on the steering wheel and, shifting into reverse, I almost cried again when the car moved without stalling. Turning, I shifted into first and roared from the parking lot, slamming forward in my seat when I forgot to shift to the next gear in time. Pulling myself together, I kept my eyes trained on the road, slammed on the gas, and raced toward Loren Brae. I only hoped I wasn’t too late to help.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” I muttered the whole time. I’d been so caught up in my own feelings that I’d forgotten I was the only one who could drive the Kelpies away from the town. Lachlan wasn’t there to help, not that I’m sure he even could, but at the very least he’d offered a soothing presence to the people.
What were the Kelpies doing out during the day? That had to be unusual. It was only late afternoon, and I’d only ever heard them at night. Sweat dripped down the back of my neck under my sweater, and I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, all but bouncing in my seat as I took the final hill into Loren Brae thirty minutes later, hoping I wasn’t about to see mass destruction before me.
Instead, I saw something worse.
Lachlan diving into the icy cold waters of Loch Mirren.
My eyes widened as I slammed the truck to a shuddering halt, stalling as I forgot to downshift, the car shaking to a stop. I was out of the car and running before it had stopped moving, the dirk in my hand, as the Kelpies raced across the loch to where Lachlan had disappeared into the water.
“Lachlan!” I screamed. Terror filled me as the Kelpies arrived, rearing high into the air, as Lachlan surfaced with something in his arms.
Sir Buster.
My heart stilled as I realized what was happening, and I held my dirk to the sky, pointing at the Kelpies.
“Stand down! Retreat! You shall not pass!” I screamed anything that I could think of, pulling at the power I felt deep in my gut, forcing the Kelpies back. It was different this time, from when I’d seen them before, as now they challenged me. Their power pushed at me, like those waves that had battered me on the beach in Mexico, and I was forced a step backward. I continued to scream my commands into the shrieking wind, and still they pushed forward, drawing close to where Lachlan swam awkwardly with one arm. I lifted my chin.
And I found my voice.
“Back off. You will not hurt them. I command you to return to your island. Immediately.” I spoke the words evenly, with the complete and utter assurance that the Kelpies would obey my command. They paused their thrashing, tilting their heads to study me, before instantly heeding my orders. They retreated, dissipating evenly into the water with barely a ripple, as Lachlan reached the shore and clambered out of the water, holding Sir Buster close to him.
“Lachlan. Oh no, is he okay? Are you okay?” I ran over to Lachlan and reached for him, but the look on his face chilled me. It was as though he wasn’t fully with me, and instead was still the little boy who’d lost his mother to the Kelpies. I didn’t know how to comfort him or where we stood, and I danced from foot to foot in front of him helplessly.
“I…” Lachlan looked down at where Sir Buster gasped against his chest. “I have to get him to the vet. It’s too cold for him. I have to go.”
“I’ll drive you…” But Lachlan was already moving, racing across the street to a white building, pounding on the door. Without another look, he disappeared into the office when the door opened, and I was left staring out at the now-calm waters of Loch Mirren, my heart breaking in two.
I’ddone this to him. To them.
To my friends. To Sir Buster. I should have known better than to up and leave, not when they needed me. What kind of Knight was I? Returning to the truck, I climbed into the passenger side, unable to drive, and broke into tears.
Looking down at my dirk, I turned the knife, convinced I’d at least now see a third stone embedded in the blade. Surely saving Lachlan and Sir Buster had to account for some sort of act of bravery. When only the sapphire and emerald winked back at me, I cried harder.
Reaching for my bag, I trembled as I picked up the phone and called the only person who could help me. When Matthew picked up, I sobbed his name.
“Oh, honey, tell me everything.” His voice warmed the cold knot in my chest, and I did, holding nothing back, and he listened without interruption. When I finally finished, coming to a gasping weepy stop, he sighed.
“What do I do?” I whispered, running my hand over my blade.
“You do what a Knight would do,” Matthew said, as though the answer was obvious.
