Page 27 of Alec

“Just tell me what happened,” Riley said as soon as they were alone. “Did you get handsy with her? She’s little, so guys think they can get away with that shit. I also know she could dump your ass in a sec if you tried, because I taught her that. Did it make you angry, Beaumont? Did you hit her?”

“I would never harm a woman. As I said, Ms. Gibson never showed this morning.” He was tired of repeating himself, so he asked, “Why do you think I’m lying to you?”

He took out his cell phone, punched in something and then showed him a map with a red line running from Salinas to the front entrance of McKeran’s castle. “All of my employees have a tracking app on their phones. This shows that Olivia came directly here this morning, in time to meet you.”

Bodach chuckled. “You mortals and your annoying technology.”

“So you did meet her.” Riley brandished his cane like a club. “What did you do? Tell me.”

“Oh, do shut up. Sending her where I did, that actually solved all her problems, at least, physically.” He slapped a hand on Riley's shoulder, sending a surge of his magic to engulf the mortal, who went still. “Let’s see now, you have a rather lovely wife, I believe. Older, of course, but still quite attractive.”

“No,” the man groaned the word.

“I prefer younger females, so you don’t have to worry,” Bodach assured him. “What do you think would happen if I sent someone to attack her, and slice up that well-preserved face? Do you think if I make her resemble a Picasso she’ll still be able to go to all those fashion shows? Or perhaps she can wear a hat with a strategically hung veil. It will have to be made from blackout material, of course.”

The enchantment he employed was a simple one that brought to life what Bodach had suggested in Riley’s mind.

The big man’s face drained of color as his eyes widened. “Rebecca,” he croaked.

He could have continued the torment, but he needed to resolve this situation and send the men on their way.

“Give me your phone.” Once he did Bodach erased the map and disabled the tracker. “Now, it seems our business is finished, Mr. Riley. You will forget me and what you saw on the app. You will leave now to return to Salinas and tell your dear wife that Olivia Gibson chose to move back to Utah to reunite with long-lost family. After that you will never again think about her or me. If you do, you know what will happen to the lovely Rebecca.”

Riley’s shoulders sagged as he limped back to climb into the town car and drove off.

Bodach had to wait another hour for the two police officers to finish their search, and when they returned he thanked them for doing their jobs. As he walked back to the front gate with them he kept chatting with them and found out that all they knew was what Jack Riley had told them about the app. After wiping that from their memories, he gave them both one of his business cards.

“Do contact me if I can be of help again, officers.” He smiled. “I’m always happy to cooperate with the authorities.”

After locking the gates and returning to the castle Bodach removed some red crystals he carried in a pouch and swallowed them. The dangerous Fae gems sucked the life out of any living thing that came near them, but they had a strange affinity for him, and only added to his power when he ate them. The faint, unpleasant odor of rot that consuming the crystals added to his body was the only unfortunate side effect, but he hardly smelled it anymore.

Dispelling an illusion that appeared like a solid wall, Bodach went downstairs to the dungeon level, where he had long ago set up the main room as a living space. He did not fear mortals, and thanks to his ability to assume the appearance of anyone, never tried to hide from them at the castle. He needed to monitor what was happening in the trap, however, and continuing to use his sea cave lair for that would only unnecessarily drain his store of red crystal.

He removed from his jacket the blank Fae scroll window and mounted it on one wall before murmuring the opening spell. “Show me Olivia Gibson.”

Olivia had just finished washing up and was changing into her borrowed clothes when the door to her room flung open and Alec stalked inside. He went to the wardrobe without a word to her and opened the doors.

“Ah, hello.” She quickly laced up the front of her gown before she saw him take out the other garments that Ava had given her. “Ah, what are you doing?”

“You cannae stay here. ’Tisnae safe.” He tossed everything onto the bed and then picked up a large empty basket one of the maids had left for her laundry, thrusting her clean clothes into it. “Do you need that red cloth and box of fripperies there?”

He looked so furious she took a step back. “Yes, I do. Where am I going? Why isn’t it safe here?”

“A maid’s been attacked and rendered helpless. Until we discover what did thus, and why, I cannae permit you to stay alone.” He grabbed her slippers from where she had left them by the hearth and added them to the basket before holding out his hand. “Come with me now.”

Olivia took his hand and trotted to keep up with him as he strode out into the hall, where he looked down each direction before hauling her toward the left side of the stronghold. It should have been awkward, being practically dragged along by the man, but he still looked so angry she didn’t resist. From there he guided her to a back passage that led into the largest tower on the west side, which she knew to be the entrance to the garrison hall.

“This is where the clansmen live, isn’t it?” she asked, and got a terse nod in return. “I can’t go in here. Lady Ava said that women aren’t allowed unless they’re escorted by one of the clan.”

“And what am I?” he said, snapping the words.

“You’re in charge of the garrison,” she said, trying not to cringe. “I just don’t want to break any rules.”

“You shallnae stay long. ’Tis only until we find the thing that attacked Elspeth.” Alec marched her through the tower base and into another hall before he opened a door and took her inside.

The room had very few furnishings but massive amounts of weapons on every wall. A rack held long bows in multiple sizes as well as several primitive cross bows. Arrows fletched with white and black feathers had been packed into large leather quivers with loops so they could be attached to a belt or a body strap. One table covered with parchment scrolls sat over by the window slit. She saw a feather pen and a tiny crock that probably held ink. The air smelled of Alec and now her.

She knew it was his room, of course, the moment she saw the thin straw ticking near the dark hearth. No bed for the war master anywhere, it seemed. It hurt to see how uncomfortable he must be sleeping in here, too. But why had he brought her here? There were certainly plenty of guards to watch over her in the stronghold, and she was sure the clan would protect all the women at Dun Talamh. She looked over at him, wondering what his real motive was.