Page 36 of Defy the Highlander

Cam shrugged. “He’s clearly shaved it off,” he said. “But I recognize him. That’s definitely McKay.”

Luther took a closer look, although his eyesight wasn’t what it used to be. Age and a rough lifestyle had seen to that.

“I think I recognize him,” he said. “Aye, I do believe I’ve seen him before.”

Cam nodded. “As I said, he was here when I first came tae Edinburgh,” he said. “He kept to himself and I kept to myself. I dunna think I’ve ever spoken a word to him. Do ye want tae…?”

He was cut off when one of the friends of the man who had been stabbed earlier abruptly charged back into the place, ramming the door into Brody, who lost his balance as he crashed into the nearest table.

The three men sitting at the table didn’t take kindly to the intrusion. As Cam and Luther watched, the first man reached out to Brody, who deftly avoided the claw-like hands and grabbed the man by the back of the neck, tossing him across several tables until he crashed to the floor.

The second man at the table had a cup of ale in hand and, gripping the cup, tried to smash it into Brody’s face. Brody was faster, however, and punched the man in the throat, instantly disabling him.

As Brody tried to move away from the table, the third man launched himself at Brody, grabbing him around the torso. Brody didn’t hesitate; he grabbed the man by the hair, pulling so hard that the man loosened his grip as he started to yell. Once his grip was broken, Brody kneed him in the chest, which knocked the wind out of him. A second blow to the face sent the man to the ground, unmoving.

Knocked cold in one punch.

Luther grunted. “So that’s your Brody McKay, is it?” he asked. “Impressive.”

Cam’s eyebrows rose in agreement. “I would say so.”

“I cannot believe I have not noticed this man before. Mayhap I wasn’t looking in the right place.”

“Now ye know.”

“Indeed, I do.”

Luther rose to his feet and Cam knew what was coming. The same thing had happened to Cam when he’d been asking about the Ludus Caledonia, hoping to make contact with men who could change his destiny. Luther had tested him before he ever spoke to him.

Brody was about to meet with a similar test.

Cam watched curiously as Luther skirted the room, watching Brody as the man backed away from those he’d just pummeled. He was making his way to the other side of the room, to one of his preferred corners, but he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going as much as he was watching his back.

Luther could see that. He made sure to be in the right place at the right time as Brody backed right into him, stepping on his foot. Luther roared angrily and the fight was on.

Brody was on the defensive even though he clearly had no idea what he’d done wrong. Luther grabbed him by the neck and would have tossed him had Brody not done the same thing to Luther that he’d done to one of the other men – he threw a punch right into Luther’s throat that staggered him.

By this time, Cam was up, moving for the pair before the fight turned ugly.

“Wait,” he said, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Brody, wait… look at me. Do ye know me?”

Brody was in battle mode. He had a wild-eyed look about him, but he managed to focus on Cam. He was puzzled at first until recognition dawned.

His brow furrowed.

“I’ve seen ye,” he said, but his balled fists were still up. “Ye used tae come tae this place.”

“I did.”

“Who are ye?”

“My name is Cam,” Cam said evenly. “Ye and I never spoke to one another, but I knew of ye. I saw ye often.”

Brody was confused. He looked between Cam and Luther, his fists still raised. “Do ye want a piece of me, too?” he asked. “I’m ready for ye.”

Cam shook his head. “Nay,” he assured him. “I’m told ye’ve been asking on the Ludus Caledonia.”

That drew a reaction from Brody. His puzzlement was magnified tenfold. “Do ye know about the place?” he demanded. “What can ye tell me about it?”