Page 106 of Blood & Claw

Ailsa stood back as Darach examined the dead man.

Not the one they’d left behind on that hillside at dawn, but a warrior with curly black hair they’d come upon in the clearing, next to the cold remains of a fire. The rain pattered down, glistening on the corpse’s waxen skin. A smashed vial of pigment lay a few feet away.

It was just after midday, and they were in a wooded corrie within the mountains now. Steep slopes covered with scree and wreathed in mist reared above them.

Darach had tracked the mercenaries to this spot.

“He’s dressed the same as that warrior we found after Gateway,” Ailsa said finally.

“Aye, he’s one of them,” Darach answered, frowning. “What’s that in his eye?”

Ailsa moved closer and lowered herself to a crouch next to Darach. She then stilled. The bone handle of a knife protruded from the man’s left eye, while its length had driven straight through the socket and into his brain. “A tattooist’s blade.”

Darach murmured an oath. “Kayla?”

Ailsa stared at the blade lodged in his eye. That was her mentor’s work all right.

Her heart started to pound. Hold on. I’m coming.

“Aye.” Her gaze lowered to a fresh cut upon the warrior’s neck. “Looks like she was tattooing him.”

Darach’s lips lifted at the edges. “Until she killed him.”

“Kayla’s a survivor … resourceful.” Ailsa looked around then. Unfortunately, this was just one of them. Where were the others? She tensed. Had they punished Kayla for killing one of their own?

“It was the idiot’s own fault.” Darach stood up and did a slow circuit around the fire pit, searching for clues. “He shouldn’t have let her get a blade in her hands.”

“Not a mistake he’ll be making again.” Ailsa glanced back at the dead man. “How far ahead are they?”

“There’s still a hint of warmth on his skin … so I’d say we’re closer than I thought.” His gaze met hers. “Come on,” —he nodded north— “the trail leads this way.”

He crossed to where Rùn waited on the edge of the clearing and swung up onto the stallion’s back. Then he held out a hand to Ailsa. “They’ll not outrun us for much longer.”

Approaching him, she took his hand and placed her foot on top of his. A moment later, she was seated behind him, and they were trotting out of the clearing. The horse’s jolting gait threw her up against Darach’s broad back—pressing her against him with every stride—until Rùn broke into a smooth canter.

Heat seeped through her damp clothes.

Ailsa shifted back slightly. Shades. This was neither the time nor the place. However, the contact stirred memories of Ardroth. Her up against the wall, gyrating against his erection. Him devouring her mouth.

Her breathing grew shallow, warmth spreading between her thighs.

Gods. She needed to focus on something else.

At least it’s better than imagining you’re drinking his blood.

Aye, it was, but her lust was ill-timed.

Darach had a serious problem. The beast was close to claiming him completely—and she wasn’t sure they’d reach Kayla in time.

Something had to be done.

Clearing her throat, she leaned forward. “I can help you.”

Darach stiffened against her. “With the tattoo?”

“Aye … I’m not as experienced … or as skilled … as Kayla,” she replied, hesitating now. She didn’t want him to get his hopes up too high. “But I’ve given it some thought. I’m able to channel earth magic with the help of the tattoo on my calf … and I can ink a binding pattern around the clag-doo, to stop it from taking any further hold.”

“You could manage that?”