Shoulder the Skye, page 2
She felt like the glass. Bombarded. Flooded. Engulfed. She stared at the building before her—the only place within miles to get grocery items. It also doubled as a post office. The co-op stocked a little of everything.
Bronwyn drew in a deep breath and steeled herself. Maybe she’d get lucky, and not many people would be inside. The longer she waited, the more she tried to talk herself into coming back another time.
“For fuck’s sake. I’m an adult,” she mumbled and shoved open the vehicle door.
It creaked loudly, metal rubbing against metal. As soon as she stepped out, the rain drenched her. Bronwyn pulled up her raincoat’s hood and slammed the door closed. She walked toward the store, her wellies splashing in the puddles.
A small bell chimed when she entered the co-op. Almost immediately, her gaze landed on four people toward the back. They didn’t look her way, but they didn’t need to for her to recognize them. Her fight or flight response wavered as she contemplated leaving until the sound of the cash register drawer closing drew her attention. Bronwyn’s gaze met the pale green eyes of the cashier, Kirsi.
They had never been enemies, but Bronwyn wouldn’t call her a friend either. Kirsi thanked the customers who had just paid, but her eyes never left Bronwyn. There was no way Bronwyn would leave now. She shoved back the hood of her coat, lifted her chin, and grabbed a basket as she started down the aisle.
Pulling out her mobile phone, she opened it to the list. Coming into town for necessities always made for the worst days for Bronwyn. Today, she was determined to buy enough that she wouldn’t have to return for at least a month. It made her contemplate getting deliveries again, but that meant spending more, and she was stretching money as far as she could at the moment as it was.
The only way to make things better would be to disappear altogether. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. Well, it was, but she couldn’t do that quite yet. So, that left her in her current predicament: the despised errand day.
It wasn’t as if she particularly liked food. Honestly, she’d be fine not eating if that were an option. Sadly, it wasn’t. Food kept her alive. Nothing more. Nothing less. She didn’t understand people who called themselves foodies. What even was that? And she certainly didn’t understand those who loved to cook.
Bronwyn gathered the items she needed and moved to the next aisle, inwardly berating herself for not paying closer attention. She’d ended up in the aisle with the group she’d seen when she first entered, and there was no escape now either because Sarah, the leader of the pack, had caught sight of her.
“Well, well, well,” Sarah said as she put back the can she’d been looking at. “What do we have here?”
“A drowned rat,” Lizzie said with a snooty laugh.
Sarah grinned, her malicious intent clear. “A drowned rat, indeed. Bronwyn, you look worse for wear. I mean, that hair. Really?”
Bronwyn felt her wet hair sticking to the sides of her damp face. She fought the urge to reach up and shove it away. Sarah was a bully and had been since they were children. Sadly, she hadn’t grown out of it in the years since—nor had the others who ran around with her.
Bronwyn generally ignored their snippy comments. Usually, people left her alone for the most part because they were afraid of her. While Bronwyn hated that people crossed the street to get away from her, she could do without Sarah. Maybe it was time to put a little fear in her old frenemy.
The bell over the door dinged as someone entered the building. Bronwyn kept her gaze on Sarah as she closed the distance between them. The trepidation that flashed on Sarah’s face almost made Bronwyn smile—that was always the case when someone stood up to a bully.
“You have something to say about my hair?” Bronwyn asked in a soft voice.
Sarah swallowed nervously and tried to back up, but the shelves and her friends blocked her way. “It’s…it’s wet.”
“Very perceptive.” Bronwyn looked her over slowly. “Perhaps I should say something about you. I know just the words.”
“No need.”
The fear that rolled off Sarah was palpable. Bronwyn held Sarah’s gaze as she muttered something unintelligible and walked away. Bronwyn blew out a breath, only to discover other customers staring at her. As soon as she met their gazes, they hurriedly looked away, partly in fear and partly in disgust.
All but one person.
The man stood in the next aisle, watching her over the short shelves. He shoved his wet, dark blond hair away from his face, though a thick lock fell back over his forehead. His bright blue eyes held her entranced, utterly enthralled. It felt as if he saw through all her defenses and straight to her soul—laying all her secrets bare.
He didn’t stare at her with contempt or quickly lower his gaze, hoping she didn’t notice him. No, he looked at her. Unable to help herself, she studied him, noting the handsome face and square jaw dusted with a shadow of a beard that made him even more appealing. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and she realized that his lips had curved into a smile. That was when she noticed his mouth. Surely, a man shouldn’t have such full lips—lips that made her think of his mouth against hers and slow, wet kisses.
Deep, scorching, hungry kisses.
Her heart pounded, her breaths came faster, harsher, and her blood heated. This was desire. Sizzling, brazen, beautiful desire.
It had been so long since she had experienced it. The dull memories of the past couldn’t compare to the spine-tingling intensity that found her now. She pulled her attention from his mouth and found herself caught by his gaze again. It was a mistake, but even as she realized it, she couldn’t stop herself from drowning in the incredible blue shade.
Time paused. The world ceased. It was only her.
And him.
The spell broke when someone bumped into him, causing him to look away. That allowed Bronwyn the opportunity to pull herself together. She hurried to finish her shopping in record time, refusing to let herself look for him, no matter how much she wanted to.
She was so intent on her list and ignoring the man who had made her forget, well, everything, that she forgot who else was in the store.
“I can’t believe you let her in here, Kirsi.”
“She shouldn’t be on Skye at all.”
“There’s no place for her around decent folks.”
Bronwyn instantly drew up short at the sound of the voices. Anger and embarrassment replaced the desire, causing her to shake. She felt the other customers’ eyes on her, their gazes accusing, probing. Sarah and her minions made sure to speak loudly enough for everyone in the small shop to hear.
There had been a time when Bronwyn would’ve gladly shown them exactly what they had to be afraid of, but she didn’t give in to that now. It would only make things worse. The only thing she could do was prove to everyone that their words didn’t wound her. She’d wait until she got home to cry.
Bronwyn got the last item on her list and made her way to the counter. Kirsi finished ringing up Sarah, and Bronwyn set her basket down, holding Kirsi’s gaze and waiting to see what she would do. When the woman began ringing up the items, Sarah huffed.
“You can’t be serious, Kirsi,” Sarah all but shouted. “Send her out.”
Bronwyn didn’t give Kirsi a chance to answer. She turned to Sarah and said in an even tone, “If you have a problem with me, we can settle it outside. Now.”
“I wouldn’t lower myself to that,” Sarah stated nastily as if picking shite off her shoe.
Bronwyn stood calmly, even when she felt something dark and nefarious coil within her. It would be so easy to strike out and retaliate for such ghastly behavior. Somehow, she kept herself in check. “Then I suggest you leave so the others can shop in peace. And if you can’t, then go to Rhona about your issue with me.”
After several tense moments, Sarah stormed out with her crew. Bronwyn turned back to Kirsi and handed her some money, then grabbed the bags and left, all with the store so silent you could hear a pin drop.
She didn’t put up the hood of her rain jacket as she made her way to the vehicle. Adrenaline raced through her, making her tremble as she hastily glanced around to see if Sarah or any of her gang waited for her. It was such a silly thought. Something school kids would do. But, sometimes, people didn’t grow up. And Sarah certainly fit into that category.
Bronwyn shoved the bag into the boot of the SUV and closed the hatch, taking a moment to look around. The rain had yet to let up as it pelted her and ran between her jacket and jumper. She didn’t see anyone. No doubt what’d happened would get back to Rhona. Which meant Bronwyn could expect a visit from the Druid leader.
“Just great,” she mumbled.
Sarah was right. Bronwyn didn’t belong on Skye. Though, did she really belong anywhere? The only place she felt safe was at her house, so that was where she would stay until she took care of her current problem. Hopefully, that would be soon. Until then, she would wait.
Bronwyn walked around to the driver’s side and unlocked the vehicle. She was prepared for the slight sticking of the door, but it was just another agitation in an already shite day. Inside, she buckled the seat belt and started the engine. Glancing up, her gaze landed on the co-op’s window, and the entire debacle replayed in her mind. Her eyes burned with unshed tears. The Druids of Skye had caused her enough pain. She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of showing them how much they could cut her to the quick.
Bronwyn put the SUV in reverse and backed out of the space. The wipers shuddered across the glass, managing to clear away most of the water. She put the vehicle in drive and looked up in time to see the sexy man exiting the building. Even from a distance, she saw his blue eyes directed at her.
It caused her stomach to flip unexpectedly as she recalled how it had felt to be caught in his gaze. It had been so long since anyone had looked at her with anything but hatred, fear, or revulsion. She’d wanted to linger and bask in his attention. But that wouldn’t have been fair to whoever the man was. Something about him seemed familiar, but it was probably only her imagination. No doubt he was a tourist. She’d never see him again. Therefore, there was no use lingering over him.
Or the feelings he roused.
Chapter Three
Elias watched the woman drive away. He’d gone after her to…well, he wasn’t sure what he’d wanted to do. It wasn’t as if he could do what he desired—kiss her. Even now, his balls tightened as he recalled the instant their eyes met. It’d felt as if lightning had struck him.
A frown suddenly formed as he thought about how badly she had been treated in the store. He waited until the woman with the most beautiful hazel eyes he’d ever seen drove out of sight, then returned to the co-op. By the time he reached the register, only one other person was shopping, the elderly gentleman seeming preoccupied with picking out the perfect toilet paper.
“Can I help you with anything?” the woman behind the counter asked.
She had a pretty smile. Her pale brown locks were tinted with red, and he bet she would appear more of a redhead in the sunlight.
Elias scratched the side of his nose as he leaned over the counter so he wouldn’t be overheard. “The woman that just drove off—”
“Bronwyn,” the cashier said with a nod, her smile gone, her eyes guarded. “What about her?”
“Why was she treated so?”
The cashier glanced down nervously. “Just local stuff.”
“How do you know I’m no’ local?”
“If you were, you’d know about her,” she said, her lips easing into another smile.
“Verra true,” he said with a nod, easing his lips into another grin. “Forgive my nosiness. It’s been some time since I’ve witnessed adults acting so…”
“Childish?” she offered. “Aye. I’d like to say it’s not a common thing with Sarah and her followers, but it is. You’d think they would’ve outgrown it. It’s been some time since we were in school.”
He straightened. “I understand the type. Have a good day.”
“You, too.”
Elias walked out into the rain. Out of habit, he scanned the area, looking for anything or anyone that appeared out of place. He climbed into his rental car since his vehicle was lying at the bottom of the Minch. The Atlantic channel’s depth and rapid current had made it impossible to retrieve it. Not that he’d wanted to. The mist that had slammed into him with the intention of ending his life had ensured not much remained of his SUV.
Water dripped from his hair, running down his neck and beneath his clothes to his skin, sending chills racing over him. Elias shivered and cranked up the heat after starting the engine. He pulled out of the carpark and drove the winding roads to the small cottage tucked in a quiet cove. The property belonged to Edie and her husband, Trevor, who had several rental houses on the island. Thankfully, one had been available for him to use.
Elias didn’t see the beauty that was Skye as he drove. The island was still awe-inspiring, even with the gray clouds hanging low and the rain falling. But it had lost its luster for him a long time ago. He understood why Druids were drawn to the isle and didn’t even blame the tourists who flocked here to witness its breathtaking charm.
But he saw none of the appeal. He might have been born here, but Skye held nothing but bad memories. He wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for Elodie’s return. Yet he had to admit, it was nice being with his sisters again. He hardly knew either of them anymore, and he might get the chance to rebuild the bond they’d once shared. Besides, he wanted to know his niece and nephew.
He carried many secrets and had no intention of telling either Elodie or Edie any of them. It was better that way. He would stay on Skye to clear his name, gather as much information as possible regarding the murdered Druids and who might be controlling the mist, and get his mother settled. Emily’s release from prison was something the two of them had planned for some time. He wouldn’t miss that.
It was almost impossible to believe that his family would be together once more.
Elias pulled off the road and drove down the narrow lane that led to the cottage. He liked its seclusion as much as the water view. Stones crunched beneath his tires as he pulled into the parking area. He grabbed the milk and climbed out of the car. The small porch offered protection from the rain as he unlocked the door. He stepped inside the cottage, greeted by warmth from the furnace. He shrugged out of his coat and hung it on the pegs before heading to the kitchen.
There, he came to an abrupt halt at the sight of the woman seated at the small table with two cups of tea before her. Deep blue eyes regarded him gravely. She wore a black fleece sweatshirt, dark denim jeans, and black ankle boots. Her straight, chin-length, black hair was slightly damp.
Elias softly set the milk on the table. “Sabryn.”
“Elias,” she replied, her American accent evident in that one word.
“What the bloody hell are you doing here?”
She rolled her eyes and scooted the chair beside her out with her foot. “Sit and drink your tea while it’s still hot.”
He ignored her and put the milk into the fridge before grabbing the chair and pulling it out farther, then sinking into it. Elias stared at Sabryn for a silent minute. “What are you doing here?” he repeated. “I told you I had things in hand.”
“You told me that before George named you as the killer.”
Elias looked at the ceiling and blew out a breath. He’d hoped to keep that bit of information to himself for a while longer. “How did you find out?”
“Really?” she asked with another roll of her eyes.
He grunted. “Sabertooth.”
Elias could navigate the internet better than most, but Sabertooth was what some might call a hacker. He dug up information that others would never find—or had thought to bury. While none of them had ever met Saber or even knew his real name, he was, for all intents and purposes, part of their team—just from behind a screen.
That group being the Knights, started by Sabryn in her journey to find her aunt’s killer. Sabertooth had been the last to join their small band, rounding them out to five. But they worked well together.
“Yes, Saber.” Sabryn’s blue eyes glittered with anger. “Imagine my surprise—and ire—when I discovered that one of my guys was in trouble and didn’t bother to tell any of us.”
“I didna want to bring you into it.”
“Tough shit,” she replied curtly.
Elias lifted the mug of tea to his lips and took a drink. He let the warmth run down his throat to pool in his belly. “There’s too much focus on me. If you and the lads are here, it willna take Rhona or Balladyn long to piece things together.”
“Or your family.”
Aye, them, too. But he didn’t want to talk about them now. “I can handle this.”
“I don’t doubt that for a second. But you shouldn’t have to. That’s what being a Knight means, dumbass. We look out for each other—personal or business. You know that.”
Elias blew out a breath. “Rhona and Balladyn are already asking questions. I might have let something slip.”
“Maybe we tell them.”
“I doona know if that’s a good idea.”
She quirked a brow as she slumped in the chair and stretched out her long legs. “Oh? Why’s that?” she asked as she daintily lifted the cup and drank.
“Skye Druids are…” He paused, searching for the right words.
“Arrogant? Proud? Vain? Snobbish?”
Elias couldn’t help the snort that followed. “Aye. All of that and more. They—”
“You mean we,” she corrected. “I don’t care how long you’ve been gone, Elias. You are a Skye Druid.”
“Fine. We have more magic than most,” he bit out.
Sabryn grinned, her eyes twinkling. “Most. Not all.”
He looked away as he fought to rein in his temper.
“You’re not telling me anything we’ve not already discussed about the Druids here. Every report we’ve gotten about Rhona said she’s fair. I’m not saying we tell everyone who we are, but I don’t see a reason not to tell her. She and that tall Reaper will know you’re keeping a secret. And that, my friend, makes you look guilty. Besides, there’s a bigger issue.”
