Page 12 of An Unlikely Knight

Chapter Five

Fog swirled around her ankles, rising inch by inch until fully encircling her. A low gravelly voice she couldn’t quite place repeated the same words over and over. “Come to me. Come to me.”

There was a parting of sorts, the fog moving away as she walked forward, her footfalls silenced by the mossy undergrowth. Vines seemed to reach out to her, wrapping around her arms gently, as if caressing her skin.

The urge to escape, to get away, became stronger as the voice became louder, closer. Tears streaked down her cheeks. She had to get away, had to run, but her legs were so heavy, her movements labored until she was frozen in place. Looking down, she realized the vines had wrapped tightly around her legs, waist, and shoulders, holding her in place.

With a woosh, the mist evaporated and a man in robes appeared in the distance, long straight gray hair down his back, black malevolent eyes and mouth twisted into a gleeful smile. “You are mine.”

Erin fought against the vines, screaming in terror.

Mouth dry, breathing harsh, Erin bolted upright to sit, relief pouring over her at realizing she was in her bed, in her bedroom. She was safe.

The old man in the dream was familiar. Erin knew his name and where he lived. Meliot, the wizard, the evil man who’d trapped Padriag. Unless she did something, he was going to come for her, there was no doubt in her mind. There was no choice in the matter, it was time.

Reaching for her phone, she found the number and pressed call.

“Hi John. Can we talk?”

The next day she went to Stewart’s Books & Magic and spent hours talking with John. According to John, his partner Liam, a handsome blond knight, was the only one of the four men who’d been rescued that could continue to travel between the realms. And he could ferry messages between the worlds.

Despite Erin’s disbelief she’d be useful in Padriag’s rescue, John insisted that she’d been chosen by fate. If nothing else, she had to do it to save herself.

* * *

Dunimarle castle was beautiful, but not ostentatious, a subtle beauty of gray stone, surrounded by expansive lands. She drove down a cobbled one lane road that curved at the front arched doorway. Several cars were parked to the left side of the castle under modern built covered stalls. A golf cart had been driven to the front and left, probably by someone working around the lands.

Erin drove to the parking stalls and pulled into an empty one, then sat in the car for a few moments collecting her thoughts.

Once she reached the front door of the castle, it was opened by Tammie, her eyes sparkling as they met Erin’s. “I am so happy to see you, friend.” The American opened her arms inviting a hug. Erin had to smile as she leaned forward allowing the closeness.

“There is much to do,” Tammie said, motioning for her to enter. “We are all in the library,” Tammie continued as she led Erin toward a doorway.

Her breath caught as she walked into the room. Inside were Tammie’s sisters, Gwen and Sabrina, as well as three astonishingly handsome men, Tristan McRainey, laird of the castle, Gavin Campbell and Niall MacTavish, who’d been trapped in the other realm until recently. The trio, along with Liam, were all rescued by their current loves.

Was she to be relegated to being Padriag’s lover if she rescued him? Was that part of the bargain? Not that it would be a horrible fate, given the man was drop-dead gorgeous, but love had to be involved before she would ever commit to any man, and although attracted, she was doubtful it would happen.

Also, she doubted the current strange situation would lead to it.

“Hello Erin, we are so glad you are here,” Gwen, the eldest sister said, giving her a warm smile. She slid a look to the trio of men and then back to her. “I hope they don’t intimidate you. I insisted they be here to answer any questions you may have about the alter-world.”

Hearing footsteps behind, she turned to see John hurry in, his glasses slightly askew, a pile of books in his arms. Despite being disheveled, the man remained curiously attractive. “So sorry, I lost track of time.” He walked past her to drop the books on a large round table. “Have you started?”

“Not yet,” Tammie chimed. “Erin just arrived.” She motioned toward the various chairs surrounding the table. “Sit down, everyone.”

“Wine?” Gwen asked, already pouring a glass of red.

“Yes, please,” Erin replied, needing something to help her get through whatever came next. The glass was pushed into her hand, and she drank the bittersweet liquid as she settled into one of the chairs at the table.

Tristan met her gaze for a moment. “As you are aware, each of us have required someone in this realm to assist in our release from the entrapment. Meliot, the wizard you encountered, has been quite adept at making our escapes difficult.”

“Although his power seemed to be diminishing as of late, we cannot underestimate his capabilities,” Gavin interjected. “He is furious at our escape and is making it almost impossible for Padriag.”

Erin’s chest tightened. Padriag hadn’t said anything about what occurred in the other realm when he’d appeared at her flat. “Is Padriag in danger?”

“He will have to relocate,” Gwen informed her. “Liam informed us that Sterling, who reigns over a different realm called Esland, has offered Padriag asylum. We have not heard from either in a few days, hopefully it is because they have gone to Esland.”

They waited, every pair of eyes on her for the information to percolate. A myriad of questions whirled in her head. “Will he be able to travel here from there?”