Highland Escape Read Free

drew a knife from her leather bracer. Flat with no hilt, its design made for flight, it fit her palm perfectly. She spun, launching the knife at the man. The blade penetrated his shoulder deeply, sending his crossbow crashing to the ground.
    “I said hold!” the leader roared, making eye contact with each of the men behind him.
    Anna regained her sword, continuing to back toward Orion.
    “The next man to defy the laird dies by my sword!” a deep baritone growled as it echoed across the glen, causing all to cease moving, including Anna.
    A younger version of the leader drew his steed a few feet closer. “This is Kenneth MacGregor, laird of clan MacGregor.”
    Bowing slightly, Anna replied in disbelief, “Am I to be your prisoner, Laird MacGregor?”
    The younger man, clearly the son of the laird, dismounted. The two men exchanged a brief conversation, quietly enough she couldn’t hear a word.
    Anna took in MacGregor the Younger. He appeared to be a few inches taller than she, arms and shoulders thick with muscle. His uncovered legs appeared as big around as her waist. Sable hair, tied at the back of his neck, reached his shoulders, curling at the ends. His eyes, the lightest blue she could recall, bored through her when he shifted his stare from his father to her.
    She swallowed uneasily.
    He and his father wore the blood of their enemies liberally on skin and clothing. Knowing the young woman was his sister explained the ferocity with which he fought to reclaim her. It did not explain, however, why Anna was being detained.
    “Aye. Ye will come with us.”
    The laird mounted his horse, picked up his daughter and placed her on the front of his saddle. He then rode back across the field. Another man did the same with the other girl.
    The younger man faced her. “I am Sir Duncan MacGregor, the laird’s son. Ye will hand over yer weapons and ride with us. It can be done willingly, or ye can fight. The choice is yers.”
    With a hard look, Anna unbuckled her sword sheath and removed the two daggers from her belt. She then tugged each dagger from her boots, handing them with a growl to the men who approached.
    “Will I be allowed to ride, sir?” she asked with as much venom as she dared.
    Duncan motioned for her horse. “Aye, the laird put ye in my charge. Ye will ride.”
    Taking Orion’s reins, he indicated she mount. As they headed toward the battle site, she noticed a man speaking with Laird MacGregor, arms flailing, clearly angry.
    “He is my brother, laird. ’Tis my right to demand a challenge!”
    The laird glanced at Anna then back at the fuming man in front of him, reluctantly nodding his head. “Set camp. See to the wounded first.”
    So, the brother to the man I knifed demands the right to avenge his injury. Anna’s blood boiled. Never mind that he’d disobeyed his laird’s orders. He cannot believe ’twas done by a woman , she mocked. His rage suddenly made her weary. It was not the first time a man wished to kill her. She shrugged. He will join the ranks of others who have tried. The only question is, dead or wounded?
    “’Tis what I get for being of assistance.” She didn’t realize she’d spoken loud enough to be heard, but MacGregor the Younger gave a twitch of a smile at her complaint.
    Men set up tents, built fires and gathered the wounded.
    “Sir, I am trained as a healer, if I may offer aid,” she said as Duncan tied her horse to a nearby tree.
    He eyed her suspiciously. “Why would ye assist my men if ye believe yerself our prisoner?”
    A good question. Why indeed? “Am I correct in assuming these men were injured rescuing two young women kidnapped by a raiding party?”
    He gave a short nod in response.
    “Then helping men who were injured putting a stop to such a barbaric practice is reason enough.” The opportunity to tend to the wounded drowned out her anger—for now.
    Cocking his head slightly, he crooked one corner of his mouth at her response. “A fair answer. We have a