Page 4

I yelled, “Nae!” I shot the rider bearing down on me. I shot the next, injuring his shoulder so he fell tae his feet on the ground. He charged me with his blade carvin’. I dropped my gun tae draw my sword. One swing and I sliced through his arm. Blood gushed from his wound. He dropped tae his knees and I finished him with a blow tae the side. He slumped forward tae the ground.

The other Magnus yelled, “Kaitlyn!” I spun around tae take in what was happening in the clearing.

She dinna answer.

The last man charged the other Magnus, swinging his sword.

I grabbed for my gun, set my aim on Magnus’s adversary, and fired — the other Magnus turned tae look. Twas a fatal mistake — the last soldier swung his blade up, and pierced the other Magnus through the neck. He crumbled tae his knees in the dirt.

Then slumped forward, dead.

Then the soldier charged me. I shot him again and again until he too was dead on the ground.

I raced tae Kaitlyn on the dock. Kaitlyn dead, run through with a sword, “Nae, Kaitlyn, nae.” Lifeless on the wood planks, her blood spilling. “Tis nae fair, ye canna⁠—”

I picked her up and rocked her. “Daena go, please. I am tryin’ tae save ye, mo reul-iuil. I daena ken how tae. I need ye tae help me. Tell me what tae do.”

I cried there on the docks for a verra long time. Then I wiped my eyes and came tae a decision; I had tae try again.

PROLOGUE - MAGNUS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 11:15 AM.

Near Gainesville, Florida

Third Try

The storm this time was wide and larger than before. I walked intae the wind and fury searchin’ for the center of it, looking for the horses, any sign of the soldiers. I was hopin’ tae cut them off afore they reached the spring. As I gained on an encampment, more storms formed beyond me. Then gale winds were buffetin’ me from every direction and I could find nae sign of the soldiers.

Then I heard the Mustang drivin’ down the dirt road in the direction of the spring. Twas earlier than last time. I raced through the woods as the car entered the clearing. My plan had been tae address the other Magnus. I would warn him tae be cautious. Then I would help him keep Kaitlyn safe, but as I raced from the woods tae intervene, the storm was ragin’ above them. Horses were already bearin’ down from the opposite direction. Afore I could get close, six men surrounded them.

I drew my gun and aimed. Kaitlyn was behind, protected by the other Magnus, but they were backed up against the car. They each had guns and were aimin’ at the soldiers, but there were men on every side. Kaitlyn fired, shooting one of the soldiers. Magnus shot another.

I barreled out of the tree line and shot a third soldier when another horse barreled from the trees behind me. A soldier, his sword held high, aimed for me, arcing down — I stumbled back two steps, shot that soldier as Kaitlyn, behind me, screamed.

When I turned a soldier was pullin’ his sword from Kaitlyn’s body, and Magnus was on the ground beside her. I watched as another soldier pierced him through too.

I shot every soldier left alive. Firing over and over until they were all dead upon the ground.

Then I raced tae Kaitlyn’s side and pulled her into my arms. “Nae, nae nae, mo reul-iuil, nae. Daena — please.” I kissed her hand and begged her tae move. I smoothed her hair and kissed her cheek and begged her tae come back tae me. Please — I held her close tae me and I pleaded with her tae come back.

There was so much blood. Twas everywhere.

My hand was covered in it, layers of it, all three deaths were splashed on my clothes. I wiped my hand on her skirts and felt her phone there in her pocket. I used it tae call Chef Zach.

He answered, “Kaitlyn?”

“Tis me, Magnus.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Nae. Tis nae — Kaitlyn is...” My voice broke tae pieces.

“What happened to Katie?”

“Twas a fight, I... she is nae — can ye come? I need ye tae come and...”

“Fuck, Magnus, okay, definitely. You’re at my Uncle’s property? I’m on my way, she’s really?”